Thousands of protesters on Wednesday evening gathered at Carter Road in Bandra to express their solidarity with the students of Jamia Milia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslims University (AMU) who allegedly faced police brutalities on Sunday (December 19).
While calling out Modi government for peddling “fascism”, the protesters raised Azaadi slogans at the promenade to register their ‘strong’ opposition against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Among others, Renowned filmmaker Saeed Mirza participated in the protest while appreciating the youth and students who are opposing the controversial legislation.
"It is about time people raise their voice on the issue. It is so nice to see young people speaking up about what is happening in our country,” Saeed Mirza told Mumbai Live.
When asked about the right-wing description regarding the ongoing unrest over CAA, Saeed Mirza stated that a “counter-narrative” should be there against the government’s claims.
They (right-wing) have taken over power. They are in Parliament. Now is the time to think. A counter-narrative has to occur. For too long, they have dominated the narrative,” the senior filmmaker said.
Labelling the police brutalities on students of JMI and AMU as “terrible” and “wrong”, Mirza said that the students were brutalised.
"The protestors are not doing anything unconstitutional. They are saying ‘hum sab Ek hai’. What is wrong with that? They are saying don’t divide us. This is what the constitution of India narrates,” Mirza asserted.
Earlier, Union Home Minister Amit Shah attacked the opposition saying that their campaign against CAA is “misleading”. Shah also justified the police brutalities on students saying that if they will pelt stones, police will take action.
Ritu Dewan, a professor and former Director of the Department of Economics in Mumbai University, asserted that Modi and Shah are far away from understanding the aspirations of the people.
"We need to thank Amit Shah and Narendra Modi, they have truly united us. The protests show how separate they are from the people and their aspirations,” said Dewan.
When asked about the effects of CAA and NRC, Dewan asserted that these two can’t be looked separately but together. CAA is the first step to NRC, she added.
"You are already building detention centres across the country. These are concentration camps and they are doing this to their own citizens, the one who elected them. They are there in power because we voted. We should be allowed to take back our vote also,” Dewan asserted.
Speaking on the Supreme Court’s reaction over violence in JMI, Dewan stated that the apex court has closed its eyes. Nothing is a matter of emergency for them, she added.
Kashmir is not a matter of emergency for the Supreme Court. Children in Kashmir are not a matter of emergency. They believe everything in the ‘sealed’ envelops but refuse to believe what is happening before them,” said Dewan.
Earlier, Supreme Court had refused to take up petitions filed against police atrocities on JMI and AMU university students. The apex court stated that it doesn't have to intervene as it is a law and order problem.
Momin Mobeen Khan, a Jamia Milia Islamia (JMI) Alumni, expressed his disappointment over the government handling of the student protestors in his alma mater. He was also at Carter Road to participate in the protest.
“The Police Crackdown in Jamia Millia Islamia was a case of State-sponsored brutality, reminiscent of the heinous Jallianwala Bagh. The Library, Mosque, Boys and Girls Hostels were raided and vandalised. Innocent lives have been threatened by the people in power", said Momin Khan.
While holding a poster which read: “This is the land of my Hopes. This is the land of my dreams,” Khan stated that India needs to unite in these times of utmost distress.
As an alumnus, I am agitated with the suffering of the students, some of them being known faces as well. Having seen such oppression at close quarters, I feel woke and strengthened and ready to raise my voice against the wrong. Jamia Millia Islamia is at the helm of this revolution uniting the country. More people will join in the fight for their rights. I am proud of my alma mater,” said Momin Khan
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