ABVP to screen India-Pakistan match on JNU campus today

JNU students’ union will hold a public screening on campus of a cricket match between India and Pakistan scheduled for Saturday evening.

Joint secretary of JNU students’ union, Saurabh Kumar, will hold a public screening on campus of a cricket match between India and Pakistan scheduled for Saturday evening.

Activists from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) shout slogans during a protest march. The match screening comes in the aftermath of a controversial row at JNU. (HT Photo)

Saurabh is the sole member of right wing ABVP in the JNUSU. The screening is being done at a time when the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus is at the centre of a debate on nationalism following an event on Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru’s on Feb 9.

Saurabh Kumar told HT the screening is being done on students’ demand.

Kumar said that they will show the match to students using big screens and projectors.

“Students in campus wanted to see the match so we thought of doing this. We will put up a screen, use projectors. In this way many students can see the match together,” Kumar said.

he screening will be done at lawns in front of Mahimandvi hostel. “There is huge space outside the hostel where at least 250-300 students can accommodate. India-Pakistan matches are always interesting,” said Kumar.

Shehla Rashid, JNUSU vice President said,

“Everyone is free to hold any event in the campus. In the past also such screenings have happened and students are free to decide for themselves, “she said.

The match is scheduled for Saturday evening and is being played in Bangladesh.

Students said it was a routine thing to show cricket matches between India-Pakistan. “ABVP has been doing such screens of cricket matches. Those who want to see it in huge groups go for it. In JNU you are free to do whatever you want. Its regular,” said a PhD student, who did not wish to be named.