The Faculty of Jindal Global University (JGU) has issued a statement of solidarity, condemning the recent police brutality in Jamia Millia Islamia University (Jamia) and the ongoing illegal siege and curfew imposed on Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).
The statement states that the right to protest is a fundamental right of every citizen and attacking the students on the basis of the same is a direct violation of the Constitution. The inhuman acts on the part of police in harming students is completely illegal, the statement goes on to assert.
“Over the last week, we have witnessed the excessive use of force on the part of the state in dealing with protests across the country. The use of police force against citizens exercising their fundamental right to protest is a direct attack on the Constitutional foundations of our country. The police action in the Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University campuses is blatantly illegal under the Constitution of India. We condemn, in no uncertain terms, this violent police and state action.”
The statement also seeks to affirm the right of citizens to protest and the autonomy of the university as a non-militarized space for freedom of thought and expression. With this statement, 88 members of the faculty have expressed their unconditional solidarity with the students, faculty and staff of Jamia and AMU, as well as with protestors against the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The statement further demands that the authorities to end the violence at both the Universities immediately.
Various Indian Universities, including law schools across the country, recently issued statements condemning the police violence in Jamia and AMU. Interestingly, even students and alumni from US-based Universities have also come forward to condemn the recent spate of violence at the Universities.
Earlier this week, the Supreme Court directed that the petitions in matters concerning recent violent incidents in the Jamia Milia Islamia University (Jamia) and Aligarh Muslim University be taken to the concerned High Court.
After the institution of petitions, yesterday the Delhi High Court agreed to hear today pleas seeking the constitution of a fact-finding committee to look into the incidents of violence.
[Read the Statement here]