PTI has reported activists alleging that Nirma University has tried to “intimidate” students who took part in protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and also advised their parents to “counsel” them. Officials of the varsity, a private institution set up under a state act, were not available for comment to the media.A protest had been organised against the CAA and the proposed NRC outside Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad last week.
It is activists of the Young India National Coordination Committee and the Campaign against CAA-NRC-NPA who, on Christmas Day, December 25, shared with the media screen shots of text messages the university purportedly sent to students and their parents.
“Dear Parents, Greetings from Institute of Law, Nirma University. It has come to our knowledge that your ward was involved in protest against recent issues. The Police and Intelligence Bureau-IB have taken details of your ward from us,” read the text message. “We at our end have counselled the students to refrain from any such activities and we also expect the support from your side. This is also to inform you that if your ward continues to participate in the protest, the police might create a record against him. Thanks,” the message added.
The activists said in a statement: “Students were forced to give undertakings that they will refrain from participating in any such activities in future. We demand the concerned authorities retract the messages….”