The Students’ Union of the Tata Institute of Social Studies has issued a statement condemning the current violence in Delhi. In a letter titled, ‘TISS SU stands against Hindutva violence in Delhi’ the members have written that they are alarmed by the unprecedented rise of tension in Delhi and particularly the North East regions of the city.
The letter states, “The on-going protests against NRC-CAA-NPR in the country have been used by opportunistic Hindutva leaders to raise false sentiments of its cadres against the protests that are being conducted for the protection of the Constitution. This is clearly visible in how women protestors have been lathi charged brutally at Jaffarabad and Hauz Rani by Delhi Police during the Bharat Bandh against scuttling of reservations and implementation of CAA, and the violence that was unleashed upon peaceful protesters by BJP-RSS goons. The deliberate provocation by the Sanghi Henchmen is openly visible where stone pelting, arson, and carnage rule the streets where the peaceful protesters had been voicing out their demand for the repealing of CAA. To all Well-meaning citizens of the Nation, it is clear who the “Anti-nationals” really are, who wants to end the Secular fabric of our Nation guaranteed by the Constitution, and who wants to bring about a Fascist Utopia in this nation.”
Questioning the selective sensitivity of the government and the claims of protecting the national interest, the letter asked whose national interest were they looking at if there had been 35 reported deaths, including of a policeman and several others were left injured in the violence allegedly orchestrated by the Sangh Parivar.
The TISS SU also said in the letter, “We strongly urge the AAP led Delhi Government to take a robust stand against the Communal Hate and growing polarisation, and safeguard peace and harmony for the people of Delhi, and the peaceful Anti CAA-NRC-NPR protests throughout the city. It is also of utmost Shame to to know that when parts of the National Capital are burning, National and Corporate Media is fixated on diverting issues on the visit of Trump whose foul language and right-wing agenda is being overlooked to waste billions of taxpayers’ money in empty pomp and show when the Nation struggles in feeding its own people and is going against its Constitutional Spirit.”
The SU also condemned the media coverage stating that while the media was terming the violence as a “Pro and Anti CAA” matter, it was actually “anti-Muslim mob violence”.
In the letter, the TISS SU requested for all well-meaning citizens to stand against the radical communalization of the Republic of India. It said, “TISS SU appeals to all well-meaning citizens to not fall into the trap of communalization by the Brahmanical Hindu Right and maintain unity in the Struggle against this Fascist Regime. The Peaceful protests must go on, and we call upon all concerned persons, civil societies and students to not give in to the violently growing polarisation caused by the Hindutva Breakdown on the protestors.”
The entire letter by the TISS SU may be read below.
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