Jawaharlal Nehru University | SabrangIndia News Related to Human Rights Mon, 20 Jun 2022 12:30:02 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://sabrangindia.in/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Favicon_0.png Jawaharlal Nehru University | SabrangIndia 32 32 JNU’s Sharad Baviskar allegedly harassed and assaulted! https://sabrangindia.in/jnus-sharad-baviskar-allegedly-harassed-and-assaulted/ Mon, 20 Jun 2022 12:30:02 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2022/06/20/jnus-sharad-baviskar-allegedly-harassed-and-assaulted/ The professor was quizzed on NRC during his abduction

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]]> Sharad BaviskarImage Courtesy: marathi.hindustantimes.com

Jawaharlal Nehru University’s (JNU) assistant professor Sharad Baviskar lodged an FIR on June 19, 2022 against goons for abducting and assaulting him over a traffic dispute. According to The Telegraph, he was repeatedly questioned about his opinion on the National Register of Citizens (NRC).

On the intervening night of June 17 and June 18, the French teacher was chased by a vehicle near the Netaji Subhas Place flyover while driving back to his campus quarters from north Delhi’s Burari Chowk.

The assailants bumped into his car and stopped him near the Delhi Cantonment Metro station, where the men demanded that Baviskar pay them ₹ 2 lakh for allegedly breaking their car window. He was forcibly taken away when he suggested approaching the police station. Thereafter, the professor was subjected to a variety of abuse from having his beard pulled to being interrogated on his political stand regarding various political issues such as NRC.

The NRC, along with the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Population Register (NPR) was among the set of schemes laid out by the Centre in late 2019, purportedly to weed out illegal immigrants by identifying genuine citizens in the country. Announced just before the Covid-19 pandemic hit, the laws had sparked widespread protest in India as people feared that the combination of these laws would affect Indian Muslims and declare them as illegal immigrants. Appearing as the leaders of these protests at the time were the JNU students. Years later, Baviskar says he was harassed while being questioned on this topic.

According to the newspaper, the eight to nine assailants made videos of his ordeal wherein he suffered punches, blows from a hot rod and had his shirt torn. His colleagues at the JNU Teachers Association (JNUTA) condemned the manner in which he was confined to a residence in south Delhi and held prisoner for over three hours.

As he tried to reason with his abductors to free him, he was subjected to verbal abuse, physical assault, threats and financial extortion. According to The Telegraph, Baviskar saw a stationary silver Audi and later a Range Rover at the place he was taken to, although the assailants took away his spectacles.

The professor also recollected how they used his credit card at a petrol pump near Nehru Place and withdrew ₹ 33,500 using his debit card. After he was finally let free, Baviskar wrote a Facebook post about the whole experience and said, “I survived! Was kidnapped on my way back to JNU. Suffered a trauma! had to hand over my car, my purse and my person as they were many! My credit card is stolen! My fault was that the goons didn’t like JNU. They all claimed to be Modi supporters! They called me anti-national!  Somehow managed to reach JNU after an ordeal! I have no faith in the system. Will trust people! Goodnight!”

Overall, the accused are charged with abduction, robbery, voluntarily causing hurt and common intention at Naraina police station. Meanwhile, the JNUTA voiced solidarity with Baviskar in the following words, “Throughout this extremely traumatic ordeal, Baviskar displayed exemplary courage and dignity that is inspiring for the JNU community, which stands unitedly in support of his complaint. The JNUTA expects that the Delhi police will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to apprehend the culprits at the earliest and in guaranteeing the safety and security of him and his family. The JNUTA also expects that the JNU administration will take up the redressal of Prof. Baviskar’s grievance with the police in all sincerity.”

Aside from being a professor, Baviskar also wrote ‘Bhura’ an autobiographical book that talks about his journey from rural Maharashtra to a professor in JNU. He was also called to speak at an atheist conference in Pune. However, the same was disallowed by the police citing objections from anonymous sources. Baviskar has also been involved with the Maharashtra Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (MANS) that focuses on ridding the society of superstition. The MANS was headed by thinker Narendra Dabholkar, who was allegedly assassinated by Hindutva extremists in 2013.

Related:

Education in India being ‘edited’ to suit a right-wing syllabus… one chapter at a time
JNU must withdraw order making the university out of bounds for Sucheta De: AICCTU
Delhi HC adjourns hearings in bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam
AICCTU leader Sucheta De removed from JNU campus!

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]]> International educational institutions condemn police brutalities in JNU, Jamia, AMU https://sabrangindia.in/international-educational-institutions-condemn-police-brutalities-jnu-jamia-amu/ Fri, 17 Jan 2020 13:34:52 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/17/international-educational-institutions-condemn-police-brutalities-jnu-jamia-amu/ Education International, CSA and NTEU called upon the GoI to ensure that universities uphold democratic values and human rights for all

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]]> Police Image courtesy: outlookindia.com

The violent attacks on the students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in their fight for affordable education and right to freedom of expression have called for international condemnation.

Education International and its 400 member organizations representing 32.5 million teachers and education personnel in 171 countries has strongly criticized the incidents saying, “Universities  are the institutions that prepare the next generation of leaders, protect freedom of speech and freedom of expression, and uphold the dignity and human rights of all students and staff by providing a “safe space” to exercise these rights and to participate and contribute to an equal, democratic and just society.”

In its statement, Education International also said, “Recent attacks at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, the Aligarh Muslim University, the Jamila Milia Islamia University and now JNU make it increasingly difficult for students, staff and their organisations to voice their opinions on government policies, politics and socio-economic issues, including their right to demand access to and provision of affordable quality education for all.”

Taking stock of the incidents where students of JNU were brutally attacked by the Delhi police during their fee hike protest and later the police inaction they witnessed as alleged right-wing goons attacked them in an attempt to break their strike, and also the brutal attacks on the students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) in the light of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protests, the institution has called on the government of India to:

1. Conduct a thorough independent inquiry into the violence and bring the culprits to justice.

2. Immediately remove M. Jagadeesh Kumar from the position of Vice-Chancellor of the University for his continuous failure to maintain a safe academic environment.

3. Ensure that universities uphold democratic values and human rights for all.

4. Pressure the JNU administration to engage with the JNU students’ union and teachers’ union to find a solution to their demands.

Apart from the Educational International, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) also wrote a letter to JNU Vice Chancellor Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar saying, “Recent events at Jawaharlal Nehru University raise serious concerns about the integrity of the institution and its commitment to the pursuit of knowledge and the defence of its role as a community of scholars.”

Reaffirming that “universities have a special role in democracy” and “violence of any sort has no place in a University”, NTEU General Secretary Matthew McGowan asked the VC to “stand up to protect and defend the students and staff of the University, and to ensure that JNU’s long standing reputation as an defender of intellectual integrity and rigour is protected. We call on you and the Government of India to condemn these attacks in the interests of a strong and vibrant democracy, and to take all necessary actions to bring the perpetrators of these attacks to justice.”

The Commonwealth Students Association too put out a press release in support of rallies to condemn police brutalities during peaceful student protests. In its statement Asia General Representative Shomy Hasan Chowdhury shared CSA’s stand on the issue saying, “We are deeply concerned by the violation of human rights to “freedom of expression and peaceful public association” indicated in reports of unjust and inhumane treatment by the police officers.”

Its statement also read, “The Commonwealth Students’ Association encourages similar student-led rallies to decry police brutality and promote values of tolerance, respect and understanding articulated in the Commonwealth Charter. We reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that students’ rights, voices and interests are upheld and valued in decision-making processes and program implementation.”

The incidents of violence against students in premier educational institutions in India have had a seismic impact on the global educational community. This kind of show of solidarity has only bolstered student movements in India.

Related:

International condemnation for CAA, travel advisories issued
Human rights groups decry the use of torture in J&K, seek UN probe
India is losing its economic way: Growth is significantly lower, debt and distress are growing

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]]> Mandi House Protests in support of JNU https://sabrangindia.in/mandi-house-protests-support-jnu/ Fri, 10 Jan 2020 14:44:24 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/10/mandi-house-protests-support-jnu/ The Delhi Police quelled the protest which was then shifted to Rashtrapati Bhavan

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]]> JNUImage Courtesy: indiatoday.in

Defying Section 144 that was imposed at Mandi House in Delhi, hundreds of demonstrators, including students, activists and members of civil organizations among others marched to condemn the violence on students and teachers of the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) and demanded that the VC of the University MamidalaJagadesh Kumar step down from his post.

Slogans of ‘HallaBol’, ‘InquilabZindabad’, ‘Reject violence’, etc resounded at the march to the HRD Ministry at which leaders like SitaramYechury, D Raja, Brinda Karat, Prakash Karat and LJD’s SharadYadav were also present.

https://twitter.com/SharadYadavMP/status/1215302612003639296

https://twitter.com/kachcha_chittha/status/1215274175356497921

https://twitter.com/CPIMSTATEDELHI/status/1215233097475559425

https://twitter.com/sameeryasir/status/1215199522617360384

However, reports of lathi charge on protestors at Mandi House came in and a new call was issued to march from ShastriBhavan to RashtrapatiBhavan. However, before protestors could reach RashtrapatiBhavan, they were met with a large police force who charged them with batons and detained many at the Mandi Marg police station.

https://twitter.com/RajeshSur9/status/1215541967951499264

Sources say that another flash protest call was issued for central park gate no. 7 to decide the plan of action. These pics at central park, where police has already gathered and is waiting for orders while the GeneralSecretary and Vice President JNUSU are taking a call on the plan of action.

JNU

JNU

Students and protestors informed that due to the Delhi crackdown and indiscriminate use of Section 144 and police excesses, they were unable to protest anywhere and are met with brutal force and made to disperse or detained. But they intend to continue to protest no matter the clampdown and wait for the call issued on the group to assemble.

Protestors also conveyed that they have been closely following the Bombay protests, which they find incredible and inspiring. They were celebrating the spirit of the city and democratic expression. And would be taking their protest to ShaheenBagh next.

Related:

Solidarity pours in for brutally attacked JNU students and teachers
‘Killing Dissent’ – How the government has been silencing opposing ideas and voices
Police brutality in the wake of peaceful JNU protests
What Exactly Happened in JNU?

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]]> Solidarity pours in for brutally attacked JNU students and teachers https://sabrangindia.in/solidarity-pours-brutally-attacked-jnu-students-and-teachers/ Fri, 10 Jan 2020 04:37:29 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/10/solidarity-pours-brutally-attacked-jnu-students-and-teachers/ There have been protests in all corners of the country condemning the attack by right-wing outfits and the complicity of the police and the administration

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]]> ProtestImage Courtesy: deccanherald.com

Once again, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has brought together the whole of India to stand against injustice, mob violence, police excesses and inaction and the fascist policies of the government.

On the night of January 5, 2020, students and teachers were brutally attacked by masked goons who entered the campus to quash their protest against the fee hike imposed by the University administration. The JNU students’ union President Aishe Ghosh was badly injured on her head, Professor Suchitra Sen too was attacked and around 26 students were reportedly hurt.

The news of the attack spread like wildfire and an outpouring of solidarity came through from all over India. People from different states and universities marched in support of the students and condemned the violence on peaceful protestors.

Protest

Protest

Protest

Protest

Protest

Protest

Protest

Here is a round-up of how India stood for JNU.

1.       Aligarh – Aligarh Muslim University – On Sunday, January 5, 2020 the students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) hit the streets with a peaceful candlelight march to protest against the violence at JNU and demanded that the perpetrators be booked for the violence.

https://twitter.com/MoazRamzi/status/1215215908949377024 

2.       West Bengal – The outpouring of support from West Bengal has been heartening. Students and teachers from Jadavpur University joined hands to condemn the attack on JNU students. The rally held by the students’ union of the arts, science and engineering faculties saw slogans like “Awaaz do sab ek ho” and “Lathi goli ki Sarkar, nahi chalegi ab ki baar”.

https://twitter.com/TanveerAnas/status/1214804246606024704

Inspired by the women of Shaheen Bagh, women staged a sit-in leaderless and banner less protest at Kolkata’s Park Circus in solidarity with the women attacked at JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.

https://twitter.com/search?f=tweets&q=women%20protest%20park%20circus&src=typd&lang=en

Students from the Indian Statistical Institute formed a human chain and sang Jana Gana Mana on Wednesday afternoon to protest Sunday’s attack on students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University. Reciting ‘Africa’ by Rabindranath Tagore and ‘Hum Dekhenge’ by Faiz at the ‘cultural assembly’, they spoke against the atmosphere of discrimination in the country.

https://twitter.com/anandavardhanan/status/1215106042956115968

3.       New Delhi – The people of Delhi called people to join a protest against the JNU attacks starting from Mandi House. However, to quell the same, the Delhi Police imposed section 144 there. Yet, not cowered down by the police’s tactics, people sang and raised slogans condemning fascism.

https://twitter.com/Huzaifa_Aamir/status/1215245074251968512

After the attack on JNU students and faculty on the night of January 5, 2020, Delhi came together in condemnation of the shameful act. The protest continued at JNU, with actress Deepika Padukone standing in solidarity with the students at JNU.

https://twitter.com/Suresh_Mathew_/status/1214567803308523520

Even St. Stephen’s College, stood up for the students of JNU with students gathered under colourful umbrellas walking out of their classrooms, for the first time in 30 years, to actually take part in a protest, reported The Telegraph.

https://twitter.com/thefirstindia/status/1214897877199114240

Thousands of students from Delhi University paid tribute to Swami Vivekananda and marched against the violence perpetrated on students and faculty members in universities across India in a silent protest.

https://twitter.com/sevadalBAK/status/1215173090256121857

4.       Mumbai – Mumbai came to the streets immediately to condemn the attack on JNU students and teachers, starting with a peaceful protest at the Gateway of India.

https://twitter.com/ShifaShikalgar/status/1214838041694617600

Bollywood celebrities staged a silent protest at Carter Road in Bandra to show their support for the JNU victims.

 

 

https://twitter.com/18AKGOYAL/status/1214739302858379264

https://twitter.com/pencilpusher24/status/1214906947171999745 

Thousands came out in support in various other areas like Mumbra with the hashtag #JNUWeWithYou.

https://twitter.com/Nafees1325/status/1215234741642973184

https://twitter.com/JD_Edits/status/1215261945256767488 

https://twitter.com/Saleh_Batlawala/status/1215255737875648512

Students of IIT Bombay too extended their support to JNU students and faculty.

https://twitter.com/couchbatata/status/1214428675736649728

https://twitter.com/srivatsayb/status/1213885190872788992

https://twitter.com/IITB4Justice/status/1213889644258938881

5.       Bangalore – Bangalore always showed up in solidarity with the people of India for the causes that mattered most. After heavily protesting the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC), students and various other professionals came out to voice their anger against the attack on the pupils of JNU.

https://twitter.com/TanuKul/status/1214049328366358528

https://twitter.com/AdityaJossen/status/1215245173183016960

https://twitter.com/iimb4justice/status/1214878719271038976 

It’s true when they say that when it rains, it pours. The students of JNU who have been fighting for the longest time against the management’s decision to revoke the fee hike that if implemented, will lead to more than 40% of the students being bereft of quality education.

The dastardly attack by the alleged ABVP goons or the Hindu Raksha Dal which has claimed responsibility for the attack, has only brought together more people to support JNU’s cause. The attack which displayed the complicity of the police and the government, has today, once again brought together the future and the strength of India, its students, together to support inclusivity and foster democracy.

Related:

‘Killing Dissent’ – How the government has been silencing opposing ideas and voices
Police brutality in the wake of peaceful JNU protests
What Exactly Happened in JNU?

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]]> Rajya Sabha MP writes heartfelt letter to JNUSU President Aishe Ghosh https://sabrangindia.in/rajya-sabha-mp-writes-heartfelt-letter-jnusu-president-aishe-ghosh/ Wed, 08 Jan 2020 12:56:25 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/08/rajya-sabha-mp-writes-heartfelt-letter-jnusu-president-aishe-ghosh/ Calling her ‘a great daughter of India’ he asked her to be courageous and fearless

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]]> LetterImage Courtesy: hindustantimes.com

Rajya Sabha MP, Partap Singh Bajwa who is also a part of the consultative committee on Human Resources Development wrote a letter to Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) President Aishe Ghosh saying that he and India, both stood by her.

Bajwa’s letter comes after another Rajya Sabha MP Elamaran Kareem wrote to the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, asking him to probe the dastardly violence that was unleashed on the students and teachers of JNU on the evening of January 5, 2020.

In his letter to Aishe, Bajwa said, “Before the dastardly attack on your University yesterday, I knew you as the President of the JNU Students Union. After the attack, when I saw you on TV, not cowed down by the attack, but defiant, I knew you as Aishe Ghosh, a great daughter of India.”

Stating that as a parent, he was hurt to see the state Aishe was in, he wrote, “I find it ironic that the University is more interested in filing an FIR against you for violence, the day after you were viciously attacked, rather than attempting to protect their students from being violently attacked.”

Calling her an inspiration, he said, “Despite these attempts to suppress your voice, you continue to fight. For me, you are the symbol of resistance, of resistance and ultimately, of hope.”

Quoting Rabindranath Tagore, he asked Aishe to be courageous and fearless and said that it was her and her peers that came with the message that God was not yet discouraged of India.

The complete letter by Bajwa may be read below.

MP Bajwa

Related:

MP Elamaran Kareem urges President to probe JNU violence
What Exactly Happened in JNU ?
Mumbai comes in to ‘Occupy Gateway’ in solidarity with JNU students

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]]> Deepika goes for JNU protest meet; bhakts furious, call for her film’s boycott https://sabrangindia.in/deepika-goes-jnu-protest-meet-bhakts-furious-call-her-films-boycott/ Wed, 08 Jan 2020 10:09:50 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/08/deepika-goes-jnu-protest-meet-bhakts-furious-call-her-films-boycott/ BJP IT Cell started trending hashtags calling for boycott of her latest movie but she also recived support from many people tweeting #ISupportDeepika

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]]> JNUImage Courtesy: easybranches.com

Deepika’s presence at JNU’s protest meet came as a pleasant surprise for scores of students and other people protesting the violence unleashed by right-wing masked goons on unarmed students and teachers.

Reportedly, Deepika was present in Delhi for promotional events for her upcoming movie titled “Chhapaak” which is based on the life of an acid attack survivor. She went to JNU to stand in solidarity with the students who were attacked. She did not make a public speech, however she hugged Aishe Ghosh, the JNUSU president who suffered injuries in the attack and said that she was proud of her and asked her to “take care”.

She is known to have told India Today TV earlier, on JNU violence specifically, “I feel angry that this is happening. But, at the same time, the fact that action is not being taken, this is something to think about.”

Her brief visit at the protest meet started some trends on Twitter that seemingly threaten the commercial returns of her upcoming movie. Hashtags like #BoycottChhapaak started trending on twitter and continues to remain the top 5 trends today. Clearly, Bollywood actors refrain from commenting on socio-political issues as it could affect the commercial returns of their films but Deepika was lauded by many for having the courage unlike her “superstar” counterparts.

After her visit criticism started coming in for her and her movie:

https://twitter.com/mvmeet/status/1214820570539282432

https://twitter.com/vishnuguptuvach/status/1214803306306048001

https://twitter.com/PanditJiVishal1/status/1214818115990589440

https://twitter.com/iamNIK8544/status/1214834131344846849

on the other hand, she also received a lot of support

https://twitter.com/ShekharGupta/status/1214820895052533760

https://twitter.com/sonakshisinha/status/1214829725262106624

https://twitter.com/DeShobhaa/status/1214836583490129920

https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1214827832104255488

https://twitter.com/SethShruti/status/1214635570187702273

When public figures like her, make appearances at such events, even if it is just to stand in solidarity with students who have been mindlessly inflicted with violence for expressing dissent, it has a huge impact on the gravity of the protest and takes the dissent forward.

Related:

JNU‘s fee hike fight an eyesore for the admin and Govt.?
Bollywood’s clarion call against the CAA and police brutality on students
Bollywood appeals against police excesses in UP
Terror has been repeatedly unleashed on JNU, lest we forget the disappearance of young Najeeb, and several times before
Eerie calm at JNU, women students leave hostel
MP Elamaran Kareem urges President to probe JNU violence
JNU alumni calls for solidarity march to condemn January 5 attack

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]]> JNU alumni calls for solidarity march to condemn January 5 attack https://sabrangindia.in/jnu-alumni-calls-solidarity-march-condemn-january-5-attack/ Wed, 08 Jan 2020 07:18:28 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/08/jnu-alumni-calls-solidarity-march-condemn-january-5-attack/ The march saw the attendance of former students like Kanhaiya Kumar and Sitaram Yechury

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]]> March JNUImage Courtesy: business-standard.com

Post the dastardly attack by the alleged goons of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) on the students and teachers of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the alumni of the University gave a call for an ‘alumni march’ in solidarity with all those who were injured in the attack, and the inaction of the police and the administration in the matter.

The march was held on January 7, 2020 and saw attendance from scores of former students including former JNUSU President Sitaram Yechury who joined in to support the cause. Prakash Karat, Kanhaiya Kumar, Swaraj India leader Yogendra Yadav and social activist Bezwada Wilson to stood in solidarity.

https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gifIn their appeal for the alumni to come together to condemn the attack they had written, “This ‘Alumni March’ is in Solidarity with the Students Teachers and Karmacharis of JNU, who have been targets of unprecedented attacks on all their democratic rights from the time that the present VC was foisted upon JNU four years ago.”

They added, “These four years have seen systematic attacks on the culture of academic freedom and the traditions of debate and dissent and inclusion that were the bed-rock of the academic brilliance that JNU is recognised for. It is these values that have seen serious erosion during the tenure of the present VC and his administration.”

Condemning the attack in the most unequivocal terms and the use of armed goons brought to attack the people of JNU on January 5, 2020, they demanded the restoration of the old admission policy and the withdrawal of the fee hike, the restoration of all democratic rights and democratic institutions in the University, a judicial enquiry instituted by the MHRD to punish those responsible for the attack and the immediate removal of the present Vice Chancellor as the first step to restore normalcy in the campus.

Related:

Terror has been repeatedly unleashed on JNU, lest we forget the disappearance of young Najeeb, and several times before
Eerie calm at JNU, women students leave hostel
JNU‘s fee hike fight an eyesore for the admin and Govt.?

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]]> Terror has been repeatedly unleashed on JNU, lest we forget the disappearance of young Najeeb, and several times before https://sabrangindia.in/terror-has-been-repeatedly-unleashed-jnu-lest-we-forget-disappearance-young-najeeb-and/ Tue, 07 Jan 2020 15:30:00 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/07/terror-has-been-repeatedly-unleashed-jnu-lest-we-forget-disappearance-young-najeeb-and/ The questions of the young that clearly rattle this regime have made them repeat victims of brute violent assault: from the police and the ABVP. Hate and targeted speech has been systematically used to make them special targets; JNU and its student leadership have borne the brunt of physical blows and assaults on more than a dozen occasions in the past six and a half years

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]]> ABVPImage Courtesy: toanewdawn.blogspot.com

Do the young particularly frighten this regime? Yes if we recall the death of Rohith Vemula (Jan 17, 2016) the brute attack on Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid (February-March 2016,again in 2018), the bloody attack and disappearance of young Najeeb (went missing on October 15, 2016) and the countless criminal cases filed against young students from the Ambedkar-Periyar Circle, Chennai IIT, FTII, Pune (Maharashtra) and across several universities in the country! Students and faculty of the Hyderabad Central University were also brutally attacked when they were protesting the return of Appa Rao Podile as Vice Chancellor after the “institutional murder” of Rohith Vemula. Amidst this violent gore, the Delhi police especially , taking orders from the powerful who are their political masters have, over the past six and a half years used brute force against the students of JNU.

Najeeb’s disappearance was, possibly, the most sinister and deadly. In October 2019, three years after the last time her son was seen alive, his mother, Fatima Nafis said: “I am fortunate that all of you, my children, have done your duty to stand with me and say that I am not alone. This is a slap in the face of the Sanghis. The only thing the government is scared of is the youths who will be the leaders of tomorrow. Those who call themselves nationalists are selling airports and the railways and destroying institutions. The only people stopping them are the youth.”

Najeeb had been pursuing a Master’s Degree in Biotechnology from New Delhi’s prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). He was a sharp young man with what his mother hoped was a bright future. But one evening –in October  2016 –after a minor altercation with the aggressive members of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the very next day he went missing. Najeeb’s friends have suspected foul play and Fatima started demanding an explanation about what happened to her son. But nobody seemed to have any answers. The police couldn’t explain what happened. It was almost as if he vanished into thin air!

Umar Khalid

Umar Khalid, a Ph D scholar from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU)—once hallowed with its academic reputation but now hollowed out by its saffron vice chancellor–was attacked by a gun wielding assailant inside the premises of the constitution club, situated within a high security zone barely 500 meters away from the parliament house on August 13, 2018 just two days before the Independence Day.  After this shameful incident, a troll from the Hindutva camp celebrated the attack, “Really condemn the unsuccessful attempt of shooting!! Try lynching him next time… This kind of anti-national elements must be eliminated as soon as possible…”; Are these not abetments to murder? Umar had also suffered intimidation and threats while in jail in 2016.

Kanhaiya Kumar

Kanhaiya Kumar, today a celebrity youth icon, had been beaten brutally by men in black coats claiming to be lawyers on February 17, 2016 and had detailed his ordeal before the Court Commissioners appointed by the Supreme Court of India. (Senior advocate Mihir Desai had, in an interview to Sabrangindia declared, Lawyers or Goondas? Choose, You cannot be Both: senior counsel Mihir Desai.  In this interview, Desai had said, “Several basic principles of ethics of the legal profession have been seriously violated by the lawyers that we saw on television taking law into their own hands and assaulting women and men, including Kanhaiya Kumar on February 15 and 16 at the Patiala House Court, Delhi.”

Kanhaiya had also written a letter from jail to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), My Life is Under Threat: Kanhaiya Kumar to NHRC on February 27, 2016 in this connection. Then, as president of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union (JNUSU) Kanhaiya had in the four-page letter made serious charges against the police that is required, under law, to follow due process. He has stated that the Delhi Police arrested him on February 12, 2016 from his hostel at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) without any warrant or a notice. In the letter, Kanhaiya also detailed how he had been under extreme mental pressure under detention even though he was not physically manhandled by the police.

The Case of Najeeb’s Disappearance

After young Najeeb  went missing on October 15, 2016, there were many cues left to be explored, from the minutest of forensic details (it is claimed Najeeb’s slippers were found on the staircase along with his phone and wallet in the room), to the fact that he was thrashed by students from the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in his room the other night, or the perplexing events which took place after his last conversation with his mother, Fatima Nafees, who was on her way to meet him. The case has been handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) which, predictably filed a closure report. Fatima Nafis is contesting this closure in court.

On April 23, 2019 a Delhi court ruled that Fatima Nafis is not only entitled to file a protest petition against the closure report in the investigation into her son Najeeb’s disappearance, but also to copies of the report, all related documents as well as statements of witnesses. The court has directed the CBI to submit all this to the complainant. The court has allowed the CBI to provide soft copies of the documents on a pen drive or CD. The case is still pending in court as a mother fights an unyielding system to get justice.

Ammi, a documentary film traces the acute loss, search and longing by Fatima Nafis.  “Our words haven’t reached those who should have heard our voices.” The essence of this line echoes throughout the film, prompting the viewer to recognise the gaps overlooked by the JNU administration as well as the law while investigating the disappearance of Najeeb Ahmed.

November 2019

Before last Sunday’s brute attack (January 5, 2020) in November 2019, thousands of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students, carrying placards and chanting slogans had marched towards Parliament on the first day of the Winter Session on Monday, demanding a total rollback of the hostel fee hike and –while peacefully protesting –suffered brute blows from the lathis of the Delhi police. According to reports, JNU students were lathi charged and several others detained as they started their march towards the Parliament. Several “officers” in plainclothes, according to witnesses, brutally assaulted students and manhandled women during the protest.

“Is lathi charge and breaking heads of JNU Students, and leaving them bloodied the humanity of the Delhi Police? When they were thrashed by lawyers, they remembered the dignity of the uniform? Don’t such incidents stain the uniform?” Delhi’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Singh had then tweeted. Then on December 15, 2019 a similarly brutal and targeted assault was unleashed on Jamia Milia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). Indian students across IITs. IIMS, Central private and public universities demonstrated unitedly in outrage. The protests against the un-Constitutional Citizens Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 and proposed NPR-NRC just got stronger.

Violence is the means and the way of a regime not just inherently anti-democratic but worse; proto-fascist. Those in power signal–through the sinister use of hate and targeted speech– who the victims of the next assault for the khakhi shirts should be. The dog whistle could mark the the “tukde-tukde gang today,” or the “urban Naxals” tomorrow. These khakhi shirts are both the men and women in uniform or those within affiliate outfits, readied 24X7 to take the bait. That is what they have been groomed in the shakha for. It is a time tested ruse of those that use the constructed power of hate and othering to brutally control.

Today, they are both rattled and challenged today by not just the relentless and courageous questioning but the creative take-over of the streets by love and music. It is a threat that is real and immediate because if the protests last, they may well wash away the corrosive stench of hate-lust. For some time to come.

Related:

Radhika Vemula: I will not rest until Rohith gets Justice
Have you seen my son: Rupa Behn Mody
Youth frighten Modi Regime says Fatima Nafis, JNU student Najeeb’s mother
Delhi Court orders CBI to share key documents in Najeeb case with Fatima Nafis

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]]> Eerie calm at JNU, women students leave hostel https://sabrangindia.in/eerie-calm-jnu-women-students-leave-hostel/ Tue, 07 Jan 2020 08:42:06 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/07/eerie-calm-jnu-women-students-leave-hostel/ In light of the violence, many women students have left campus fearing for their safety

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Fearing for their safety after the blatant terror unleashed by masked goons on them on the evening of January 5, the women students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) have now started leaving the campus and heading back home, The Times of India reported.

On the evening of January 5, masked goons had entered the JNU campus letting loose mayhem on students and teachers alike, hitting them with sticks, stones and iron rods, breaking windows, furniture and personal belongings of the hostel inmates.

Speaking to TOI, Pancham, a second-year student of MA Sociology who was leaving the Koyna hostel and heading back home to Haryana said, “My parents are too concerned about my safety.”

Another woman student from Nepal too said that her parents had asked her to leave the Yamuna hostel where she was staying and move to the residence of her relatives in Gurugram.

Many women students who did not wish to be named, were also following suit. However, there were some exceptions among them who said they wouldn’t budge. A student, Monica, said she wouldn’t leave the campus despite her parents’ pleas. She said, “I am the President of the Sabarmati hostel. I have a certain responsibility, so I cannot leave.”

For now, an uneasy calm exists at the campus. The JNU students’ union President Aishe Ghosh who was hit on her head has had an FIR registered against her and booked for vandalism. An investigation in the incidents that transpired on the evening of January 5 is underway. While it has come to the fore that the masked goons belonged to the right-wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), the Hindu Raksha Dal in a statement has claimed responsibility for the attack.

All over India, people have gathered to express their solidarity with the students and teachers of JNU. Marches of solidarity are being carried out and songs of dissent are being sung to show the allegedly complicit police and JNU administration that the entire student community stands with JNU and for justice.

Related:

What Exactly Happened in JNU ?
Police failure to protect JNU from terror attack needs to be independently investigated
MP Elamaran Kareem urges President to probe JNU violence

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]]> Police failure to protect JNU from terror attack needs to be independently investigated https://sabrangindia.in/police-failure-protect-jnu-terror-attack-needs-be-independently-investigated/ Tue, 07 Jan 2020 05:57:20 +0000 http://localhost/sabrangv4/2020/01/07/police-failure-protect-jnu-terror-attack-needs-be-independently-investigated/ Image Courtesy: countercurrents.org The terror attack on JNU last night is a reminder of how the BJP has increasingly supported lumpenism and goondaism of its student wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during the last few years, particularly after the Narendra Modi government took over. It is a well known fact that ABVP is unable […]

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The terror attack on JNU last night is a reminder of how the BJP has increasingly supported lumpenism and goondaism of its student wing Akhil Bhartiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) during the last few years, particularly after the Narendra Modi government took over. It is a well known fact that ABVP is unable to take the opponent head on in most of the campuses in India and is now actively encouraged and promoted by the state apparatus to make its presence felt.

There is nothing wrong for different political ideologies flourishing in the student group as they are the future of the country and need fearless debate and discussion. Unfortunately, democratic debate and discussions have now been completely closed in political parties. Most of the parties have left the politics of mass mobilisation and act according to their convenience and suitability. The protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act as well as NPR and NRC is purely a people’s protest as well as that of the students, and in this entire exercise, JNU remains pivotal and an inspiration to all the people of India.

The fact is that during the last five years, after this government took over, JNU became their number one target as they wanted to teach the ‘leftists’ a lesson. After failing to take on them politically, they also couldn’t understand how a bunch of these people were able to shout aloud, with their head high and with complete understanding of the issue; explaining to the world and stand up fighting for the cause not only of their own but also of the people.

That the RSS-BJP affiliates have no interest in the education of the marginalised and their target is JNU is because the institution has provided hope and aspirations to millions of India’s youth who come from socially and economically backward communities and the most marginalised sections of our society. It is impossible for a rural poor of any community to get admission into any prestigious institutions in the country as the government is hell bent to make education a domain of the brahminical elite and deny the marginalised their due.

JNU is a target because it has provided India what opposition parties failed to do, a credible critique of the current government’s policies and activities. That is the reason why it got the tag of being ‘anti national’. Have you heard any government and its leaders speaking against its own university which provide India a huge number of bureaucrats, as well as political activists and leaders?

The worst part of the current dispensation is the absolute unprofessionalism of the police and its tacit support to the rogue and goonda elements of the political right. The ABVP can’t do anything in any campuses without active police support and the police can’t do it without the support of the higher ups. Already, jolted with yesterdays events, the political leaders of the ruling party still spoke the same language such as “we condemn the violence in the campus as it tarnishes the image of a ‘reputed’ institution'” and the Home Minister asking for action against the ‘tukde tudke gang’. Isn’t it true that the hint to take action against it’s political opponents came from the top BJP leadership ? Isn’t it true that police and paramilitary forces are now considering every political opponent of BJP as ‘criminal’ and ‘anti national’. Can we an imagine or expect independent investigation and impartial attitude from such agencies who have developed such a thinking and are now behaving as ruling party political militias?

We are in a state of hopelessness. The answer to this frustration and hopelessness will emerge from powerful movements and an equally important role will be of the judiciary which is not visible at the moment but we hope it plays the role of our constitutional guardian. The Supreme Court must form a committee on police reforms and take serious action erring police officials.

As far as the JNU violence is concerned, it is time for the Delhi police to come clean on it. How did it allowed the goons to enter the campus and then let them go? Why have none of them been arrested even when most of the media has openly carried reports of planned action allegedly by the ABVP members in Delhi University? Will the BJP speak against its own student wing and take action against the goons who invaded JNU?

It is not the JNU which is attacked, but it is a message to all students and educational institutions to shut their mouth and toe the line of India’s ruling party. It is a message to all the opponent to keep quiet or face the party militia and that left, Ambedkarite, freethinkers, humanists should not expect any police support if they are attacked by right wing goons. This is serious and must be a matter of concern for all those who believe in the Constitution and the idea of a secular, plural and inclusive India. It is time to stand up and protect our constitutional values and our India from those who wish to impose a Manuwadi theocracy over us by destroying our educational institutions, beating up opponents, intimidating students who stand for secular constitutional values and controlling our information with fake news. The fact is whatever they feel, the unity of all Indians and right thinking people world over, they are now frustrated and afraid. The oppressive regime has finally waken up the people of India to reclaim our secular republic. Thank you Sarkar for your good work in uniting the people and making them celebrate our diversity. Jai Hind.

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