I am a true liberal: Kanhaiya Kumar

Kanhaiya Kumar shot to fame overnight, with just one speech. He was arrested soon after the speech and charged with sedition by the Delhi police, for allegedly raising anti-India slogans in a student rally, and his political ideology has also had mixed reactions thereafter. But there is no doubt about the fact that Kanhaiya ignited a whole student community into being politically aware, not just from his institution, the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) but across India. The President of the JNU Student’s Union was in the capital city recently and in an exclusive chat, told us about his views about politics in Kerala, the man behind the activist, and more.

Kerala is gods own country, but you should be vary of ‘evil’ forces trying to disrupt harmony here
Kerala is beautiful, and there is a sense of tolerance and unity among people of different religions and castes here. The State also holds the highest literacy rate in the country. But I fear that forces from outside are trying to disrupt the social harmony here. People who have nothing to do with religion are creating a divide in this society for political benefits. The people of Kerala should be wary of them.


All eyes are on campus politics now...
Political parties have finally realised that students’ movements have the capacity to turn into mass movements. If students are targeted, their families and communities too will come out on the streets. Sadly, they are trying to capitalise on this for their own gain. The policy they employ is to divide and rule the students. Youth organisations should ideally guide students on education and employment. But at present, these forums are working to generate cadres for their political parties. There is a big conspiracy happening to turn the students into party workers inside and outside the campuses as well.


I have a life beyond politics...
I am a true liberal. I think that is why I am being targeted from each and every outfit. But politics is just part of my life; not my life itself. I am a simple man, who loves to travel and explore new cultures. I am a student and an artist too. I like to sing and am fond of playing the dafli (tambourine). I write poems and Shayaris and have also scripted plays which have received applause (laughs).

I also like to watch films and serials, but not Hindi soaps. They promote patriarchy and regressive ideas and portray women as devils, which I hate.


My mom is my support
My mother is my biggest support. She is a strong woman and gives me strength to stand up, always.


I tried puttu-pazham and I loved it...
While in Kerala, I learnt a few words of Malayalam — namaskaaram, sakhave, mundu and vellam. My next aim is to learn Malayalam fluently. I loved having puttu with banana, and also the ‘round round’ idli with sambar.