JNU row: Modi govt faces more flak from Nitish Kumar, Arvind Kejriwal

Patna/New Delhi, Feb 19: The Modi government faced more flak from the opposition over the escalating JNU row with chief ministers of Bihar and Delhi on Friday alleging it has triggered an emotional issue to "hide its failure" on economic front and that opposing BJP and RSS has become the "biggest crime".

"Since they have failed miserably on economic front after making tall claims during 2014 Parliamentary elections, they (BJP and RSS) have triggered an emotional issue (JNU event) to hide the failure," Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar told reporters emerging from a meeting of state cabinet in Patna.

Nitish, who is senior leader of JD(U), once again attacked the Centre for levelling sedition charge on JNU Student union President Kanhaiya Kumar without any evidence. "If they have any evidence that justifies Kanhaiya Kumar arrest on sedition charge why do not they make it public?"

Nitish said, backing the stand of Congress and Left parties on the controversial slapping of sedition case on Kumar. Kanhaiya Kumar hails from Bihar. "JNU is on their (BJP and RSS) target because there is negligible percentage of people who believe in saffron ideology," he said.

"People of other parties are also nationalist but they do not require to take a certificate of nationalism from them," Nitish said.

Recently condemning arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar on sedition charge, Nitish had said it was "too much of a design" to impose the ideology of ABVP, the student wing of the RSS, on the nation. He had claimed on Monday last it was "like imposing Emergency" in the country.

BJP, RSS trying to hide their failure: Nitish Kumar

Stepping up his attack on the central government over the JNU row, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said opposing BJP and RSS is the "biggest" crime under the present dispensation and accused it of failing to act against its sympathisers who indulge in criminal activities.

"Centre's new IPC--it's not a crime to murder, rape or beat anyone if u r from BJP. Being opposed to BJP n RSS is biggest crime now (sic)," Kejriwal tweeted. In another tweet, the Delhi Chief Minister said, "Centre's new IPC--rape, murder or beat anyone. When questioned, just say that victim was shouting anti-India slogans, u will be let off."

Though the Chief Minister did not name anyone, he was apparently referring to Centre's alleged inaction against BJP legislator OP Sharma and the lawyers who were caught on-camera beating people outside Patiala House Court Complex where hearing of Kanhaiya Kumar took place on Monday.

Sharma was arrested on Thursday in connection with the incident, but was given bail later in the day.

PTI