FEDCUTA condemns police action against democratic protests against the CAA in Jamia Millia Islamia and other campuses

The FEDCUTA strongly condemns the violence unleashed by the police on peaceful protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act by students of Jamia Milia Islamia. In an unprecedented manner, the police entered the campus without permission and resorted to firing of tear gas shells and dummy firing and even entered the library. It is unfortunate that many students received injuries while others were rounded up and detained at the NFC police station.


Both the Jamia Teachers Association and various students’ organisations have spoken out against the violence which took place yesterday and have reiterated their commitment to peaceful protests. The JTA has also expressed its anguish at the attack on the secular credentials of the University and appealed for unity and warned against attempts to polarize the University community. 


The FEDCUTA notes with extreme dismay the tendency by the government to crackdown heavily on the constitutionally guaranteed rights to expression, protest and of association. It is equally unfortunate that teachers and students at AMU have also been treated in a similar fashion with lathis and tear gas shells even as they have been peacefully protesting the CAA. 


The CAA has been opposed by teachers’ associations in various parts of the country as it goes against the pluralistic and secular values enshrined in our Constitution. 


It should also be noted that the issue of citizenship as is evident from our constituent assembly debates and the vast literature on it, ought to be settled by dialogue and not through use of force and crackdowns.

The FEDCUTA appeals to all democratic sections to stand up against the targeting of campuses and to rally against this undemocratic and unconstitutional means of settling issues which will harm the secular fabric of the country. 


The FEDCUTA demands that an independent judicial enquiry be instituted to fully investigate police excesses and to take necessary action. We also demand that FIRs against students be withdrawn and all steps be taken to restore normalcy on campuses. 

         Rajib Ray                                                                                                           D.K. Lobiyal