Jamia violence: SC to hear plea tomorrow, if rioting stops
What's the story
After a violent clash at the Jamia Millia Islamia campus on Sunday evening, the Supreme Court on Monday said that it will hear a plea against police action at the university.
The apex court will hear the matter on Tuesday, however, Chief Justice of India Sharad Arvind Bobde said the court will only take it up if the rioting stops.
Here are more details.
Details
Court will hear matter once riots stop: CJI Bobde-led bench
Mentioning the incidents of violence at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, senior advocate Indira Jaising asked an SC bench to take suo motu cognizance of the "violence unleashed" on students.
The bench, headed by CJI Bobde and comprising Justices BR Gavai and Surya Kant, said the court will hear the matter once the rioting stops, regardless of which party is inciting violence.
Arguments
Delhi Police stormed Jamia, thrashed students, detained them: SC told
Senior advocate Colin Gonsalves also informed the court about the detention of several students after the Delhi Police stormed Jamia campus. He said many students sustained injuries in the ensuing violence and denied medical assistance.
Jaising mentioned that incidents of violence against students by the police were reported across India.
Both lawyers noted that the police entered Jamia's library without authorization.
Quote
Students can't take law and order into own hands: CJI
Meanwhile, CJI Bobde said, "Just because they happen to be students, it doesn't mean they can take law and order in their hands, this has to be decided when things cool down."
He added, "We'll determine the rights but not in the atmosphere of riots, let all of this stop and then we'll take suo motu cognizance. We're not against rights and peaceful demonstrations."
Information
Send panel of retired judges to AMU: Gonsalves to SC
Gonsalves also requested the apex court to send a panel of retired judges down to Aligarh Muslim University. To this, the CJI said, "We will do that. First let there be peace. If protests and violence continue we will not hear it."
CJI Bobde
Prima facie, SC cannot do much: CJI
CJI Bobde went on to say that the court isn't commenting on who is right and who is wrong, however, the violence needs to stop.
The CJI said, "Public property is destroyed Buses are being burnt... It doesn't matter by whom.
He added, "Prima facie I don't think Court can do much, it's a law and order problem."
Protests
Why were the students protesting?
As protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act swept the nation, students at Jamia and AMU also participated in the demonstrations.
On Sunday, the police stormed Jamia's campus and thrashed students. The police allegedly used excessive force against students, during which several sustained grave injuries.
The police also allegedly pulled injured students from hospitals and detained them. Reportedly, 100 students were detained for rioting.