Censuring the administration of the English and Foreign Language University (EFLU), SAR Geelani, who was acquitted by the Delhi High Court in the 2001 parliament attack case, has said that Mudassir Kamran’s suicide is still seen as a murder in Kashmir, and the sentiment will not change until an impartial enquiry is conducted.
He was at EFLU on Saturday on an invitation by the Struggle Committee for Justice for Mudassir Kamran.
Geelani said that Kamran’s case should have been dealt by the university authorities themselves, instead of involving the police in the matter.
Geelani, who now teaches at Delhi University, opined that the proctor, Harish Vijra should be suspended until he is proved innocent. “There is an FIR booked against him and until his name is cleared, the university should at least remove him from his post,” he said, adding that the protests which have been raging on for a month is what is providing solace to the people of Kashmir, who believe that Kamran was a victim.
“The truth will come out only if a proper enquiry is conducted on the matter. The real reason behind the suicide will only be known once the case is taken up by the courts. The administration is still hiding something, ” Geelani alleged.
He claimed that the autopsy done on Kamran’s body in Kashmir, showed that there were torture marks and not just small abrasions as reported by the police here.
Prof Haragopal, of the Centre for Human Rights, University of Hyderabad, who also addressed the students, expressed sorrow over Kamran’s death, stating that the suicide has sent a wrong message to the people that such a problem could not be addressed. He too stressed that the police should not enter educational institutions. “A university is supposed to be self-governing. And by inviting the police, we are eroding the autonomy of the institution,” he explained.
Vimalakka of the Telangana United Front, who also spoke, said a judicial probe into the death should be conducted.