JNU Row: lawyers hold protest march against 'anti-nationals'

Scores of lawyers, including those who allegedly assaulted journalists and JNU students and lecturers on two occasions, on Friday held a protest march demanding action against those "indulging" in "anti-India" activities.

The lawyers, mostly from Patiala House Court and several other district courts, marched aggressively, around the India Gate circle, shouting slogans and waving the tricolour, in the presence of heavy police security.

Some of the lawyers who were caught on camera leading brazen assaults on journalists and JNU students on Monday and Wednesday were part of the protest and appeared to be unfazed by the outrage due to their acts.

"We will keep attacking the anti-nationals no matter what. We will not tolerate any insult to our motherland. Let police issue summons against us," said a lawyer involved in the assaults. Another lawyer claimed those who attacked the media persons were outsiders and do not belong to the legal fraternity.

"They were not lawyers. Lawyers do not cross limits set by the rule books. Outsiders may have been there. Media is defaming the community," he said.

Groups of lawyers had attacked media persons and JNU students and teachers at the Patiala House Court Complex on Monday when JNU Student Union President Kanhaiya Kumar was to be produced for remand proceedings.

The lawyers repeated the act on Wednesday too and even roughed up Kumar, triggering widespread criticism. The police had issued summons to three lawyers in connection with the assaults but they are yet to respond.

(PTI)