NEW DELHI: Hours after Delhi University student and daughter of a martyr Gurmehar Kaur announced her withdrawal from the anti-ABVP campaign, minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said she was free to say and do what she wants and should be left alone as per her wish.

Rijiju also hit back at those criticising him for asking who was polluting Gurmehar's mind, saying that he stood by his tweet and was only speaking his mind. "(When I say) somebody (is polluting her mind), I mean the Leftists," he said.

"It were these Leftists who celebrated when Indian Army personnel were martyred in the 1962 (Indo-China) war and raised anti-national slogans. But now, whoever makes anti-national statements will be dealt firmly under the law. Everybody has freedom of expression but must act as per the laws of the country," he added.

Asked about Gurmehar's decision to step back from the anti-ABVP protest on DU campus, Rijiju said: "She has the freedom to speak her mind. She has all the right to do whatever she wants. So don't disturb her."

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Gurmehar has freedom to speak her mind: Kiren Rijiju - Times of India