It is nice to have a woman defence minister. We hope she does something to change the ‘anti-national’ rhetoric against the varsity: Shikha Singh
Nirmala Sitharaman's appointment as Union Defence Minister, on Sunday, was the subject for much discussion among student political parties in JNU. The discussion was especially heated, as Sitharaman herself is a JNU alumni.
Reacting to Sitharaman's appointment, Saurabh Sharma, president RSS-backed ABVP JNU said, "We really welcome the appointment of JNU alumni Nirmala Sitharaman ji as India's first woman defence minister. We are hoping that the communist forces of JNU will start respecting the Indian Army now," Saurabh Sharma, President ABVP JNU.
Sharma was referring to an issue which has sharply divided students here — the installation of an army tank on campus. Students who have opposed the installation of the tank have been dubbed as "anti-national," a debate that many are getting tired of.
Shikha Singh, a first year MPhil student summed up the views of many when she commented on Sitharaman's appointment. "It's a proud moment for all JNUites to have her as our defence minister. And it is all the more welcoming to have a woman defence minister. We are hoping that she will do something to change the ongoing 'anti-national' rhetoric against our University," she said.
But while everyone here has welcomed the idea of woman defence minister, some left-wing students still criticise Sitharaman for being a part of the BJP-led government.
"Her being a JNU alumni does not make any difference as she will continue to remain a political opponent for us. The BJP government at the Centre considers JNU students as anti-national. They should first install a tank in her home now," said Geeta Kumari, AISA's (All India Students Association) presidential candidate for JNUSU.
Political rhetoric is especially high as JNU goes to the polls on September 8.
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