The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act took an ugly turn last night when the police force came heavily in the areas around Jamia, Okhla, Kalindi Kunj, Sarita Vihar, Kalkaji, Sunlight Colony and DAV College in Delhi. Some of these areas also witnessed incidents of arson and stone-pelting on Sunday. Things became out-of-control when Jamia Milia Islamia Chief Proctor Waseem Ahmed Khan claimed on Sunday that Delhi Police personnel entered the university by force and proceeded to beat up staff members and students who were then turned out of the campus.
However, the Police maintained that they entered the campus only to take control of the situation after protesters entered the premises to hide. The Police said they had entered the premises without permission to nab the protesters who were hiding there. The chief proctor said, “Staff members and students were beaten up and forced to leave the campus.” Youths could be seen coming out of their hostels with hands raised. The Teachers’ Association, as well as the Jamia Milia students’ community, has distanced themselves from the violence that took place near the university claiming they had no hand in it.
I want to unequivocally assure my fellow Indians that CAA does not affect any citizen of India of any religion. No Indian has anything to worry regarding this Act. This Act is only for those who have faced years of persecution outside and have no other place to go except India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2019
The need of the hour is for all of us to work together for the development of India and the empowerment of every Indian, especially the poor, downtrodden and marginalised.
We cannot allow vested interest groups to divide us and create disturbance.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2019
This is the time to maintain peace, unity and brotherhood. It is my appeal to everyone to stay away from any sort of rumour mongering and falsehoods.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 16, 2019
University Vice-Chancellor Najma Akhtar said, “In the evening when the agitation started, my students had not given a call for it. They were not inclined towards the group. Which university can have such a huge crowd? At least not my university. It was a Sunday and we had already declared winter vacation on Saturday so half of the students had already gone home.” She condemned the violence as well as the police action. She alleged, “Police ran after the protesters, some of whom entered the varsity. They could have at least asked us but they just entered the university. They broke open our library and troubled our students.” However, she said that none of the students were hurt and they are safe.
Several Bollywood celebrities have come forward condemning the violence and have reacted against the action of the Delhi Police. Swara bhasker, Siddharth, Anubhav Sinha, Konkana Sensharma, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Rajkummar Rao etc.
I strongly condemn the violence that the police have shown in dealing with the students. In a democracy the citizens have the right to peacefully protest.I also condemn any kind of act of destruction of the public properties. Violence is not the solution for anything!
— Rajkummar Rao (@RajkummarRao) December 16, 2019
We are with the students! Shame on you @DelhiPolice
— Konkona Sensharma (@konkonas) December 15, 2019
These two are not Krishna and Arjuna. They are Shakuni and Duryodhana.
Stop attacking #universities! Stop assaulting #students! #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 16, 2019
Some bureaucrat??? Some Senior Cop??? One???? Just fuckinh ONE??????
— Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) December 15, 2019
Absolutely shameful conduct by @DelhiPolice https://t.co/xUFxzJtzen
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) December 15, 2019
Shocking messages of violence, tear gassing from #Jamia in #Delhi ! Why are students being treated like criminals? Why are hostels being tear gassed.. ??? What is going on #DelhiPolice ???? Shocking and shameful! #CABProtests
— Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) December 15, 2019
However, there were quite a few netizens including celebrities like Olympic medalist Yogeshwar Dutt, Koena Mitra who supported the Delhi Police.
The university with reservation based on religion, fights for secularism. Such hypocrisy...#JamiaMiliaIslamia #JamiaMilia #ISupportDelhiPolice #DelhiProtest
— Yogeshwar Dutt (@DuttYogi) December 16, 2019
Dear Jamia students,
these are not protests these are terror attacks! Ab saren victims ban gaye? Public properties jalana students ka kaam hai? #ISupportDelhiPolice #JamiaMilia #CABProtests pic.twitter.com/vOoC1uYt15— Koena Mitra (@koenamitra) December 16, 2019
(Source: Twitter)
