Cops unleash horror on Jamia students, V-C stands with them
On Sunday, the Jamia Millia Islamia University in New Delhi turned into a war-zone as cops beat students, who were protesting the newly-implemented Citizenship Act. The ruthless action of Delhi Police evoked condemnation from sane minds across India, and now Najma Akhtar, the university's Vice-Chancellor, told students they aren't alone. Akhtar said she was hurt by the way students were treated. Here's what happened.
Wondering how did it all start? Let's tell you
The clash started after students took out a protest march. The march turned ugly when nearly six buses and dozens of vehicles were set on fire in Mathura Road, New Friends Colony, Jamia Nagar, and Sarai Julena. The students disassociated themselves from this, but the cops unleashed horror on them nevertheless. They allegedly stormed the campus, used tear-gas, and beat up students.
Students were beaten and detained. Later, they were released
What happened between police and students is something that shook the conscience of the nation. Videos and images which emerged from ground zero showed cops roughing up students. Meanwhile, students asked them to leave the campus. By the end of the day, nearly 50 students were detained. Early Monday, 35 students were released from Kalkaji station, and rest from New Friends Colony station.
I am with you: V-C assures students
Fortunately, for the students, the head of their institution is standing with them. In a clip, released by the varsity, Akhtar said, "I want to let my students know that they are not alone in this difficult fight. I will take this matter forward as long it's possible. You are never alone, don't get disheartened and don't believe in any rumor."
She also said police's barbaric behavior was hurtful
"I am deeply hurt by the barbaric way my students were treated. It is absolutely unacceptable the way police entered the university and caned the students, who were studying in the library," Akhtar added.
Jamia's protest spilled to ITO as hundreds stood with students
Before Akhtar's message was released, the students' protest had already gathered immense support. To raise a voice against the brutality and detention of students, hundreds reached Delhi Police's Headquarters at ITO last night. Protesters shouted slogans, ridiculed the Centre run by BJP, and asked Commissioner Amulya Patnaik to talk to them. In fact, students of other universities also lent support to Jamia.
Meanwhile in AMU, 60 got injured
Like Jamia, unprecedented scenes took over Uttar Pradesh's Aligarh Muslim University too. Since the Bill was passed in the Parliament, AMU students had been staunchly protesting it, but yesterday as they decided to take out a march in solidarity for Jamia, police used excessive force. As per reports, 60 people were injured. The administration has also suspended internet services till 10 pm today.
AMU closed till January 5, students being sent home
To note, AMU will remain closed till January 5, 2020. Separately UP Director General of Police OP Singh said the campus is being evacuated and all students will be sent home. Defending the cops, Singh also added, "We have received no reports of any vandalism by the police." Meanwhile, AMU and Jamia students got support from IIT-Bombay, where a march was taken out.
The students are angry
Separately, SC has deferred the matter for tomorrow
As one would expect, the sensitive matter reached Supreme Court this morning with senior lawyer Indira Jaising asking a bench headed by CJI SA Bobde to take suo motu cognizance of the blatant human rights violation. Posting the matter for tomorrow, CJI Bobde said students can't take law and order in their own hands and stressed that rioting needs to stop.
SC is waiting for things to "cool down"
Further, Delhi police said their personnel were injured
Notably, two FIRs have been lodged in connection to the violence in Jamia. Commenting on what happened, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said cops entered the campus to control the situation as protesters torched vehicles. He added six policemen were injured and said the miscreants are being identified. He also urged people to maintain peace and not disrupt law and order.
