‘Dissent Is The Essence Of Democracy: AMU Student Gathering Express Solidarity With Ongoing JNU Struggle

By Mahfooz Alam

18 February, 2016
Countercurrents.org

A public gathering was organized by the student, teacher and employee fraternity of Aligarh Muslim University at Kennedy Lawns on Feb. 18th 2016. The theme of the meeting was to express solidarity with Kanhaiya Kumar (JNUSU President) and other innocent student’s of JNU and to discuss the creation of free space in universities for right to dissent and right to debate.

As we seen in the recent episode of JNU stir that students were framed as anti-national just because they didn’t have ideological alignments with RSS-BJP-ABVP nexus. The sedition charges are imposed on JNU students which are totally undemocratic and unconstitutional move of Delhi Police working under direct control of present NDA regime. This move is nothing but the part of their ongoing ‘Saffronization of Education’ program which is already taking place in the form of amendments in the text books in Gujarat, Rajasthan and other states of India.

In their very recent move they targets, the institutions of national repute like IIT (Madras), FTII and now JNU as a step forward to achieve their ‘Psuedo Nationalism’ program. We, the students of AMU gathered here to oppose all such moves and dares the government to not to touch the very foundation of the nation which is nothing but ‘plularism’.

The prime idea of the university lies in the sensible and critical analysis and debate on various socio-cultural issues and to put forward the idea to civil society as a process essential for healthy debate and nation building and not into labeling the universities as anti national entities. It should be understand by the present executive government of India

In continuation to the above, the students, teachers and non teaching employees of AMU demand unconditional release of Kanhaiya Kumar and his colleagues. We also demand a fair probe into the alleged anti-national activities at JNU Campus or anywhere else in India and strict action against those involved in anti-national activities, whosoever they are. We also demands strict action against lawyers, BJP MP and others involved in hooliganism at Patiala House Court in New Delhi with Journalists, Teachers, Students of JNU especially Kanhaiya Kumar and his colleagues.

Some of the speakers those addressed the today’s meeting were Mr. Shamim Akhtar (Gen. Sec. AMU Employees Union), Dr. Muraad (AMU), Mr. Bhavya Kumar (BALLB 3rd), Mr. Adil Alwi (Student Leader), Armuga Khan (Research Scholar) etc. The event was supported by AMU Students Action Committee, AISA, SFI and various other student organizations and leaders.

The event was anchored by Mr. Mubasshir Shah (Research Scholar).

Organizers were Mr. Mahfooz Alam, Salman Siddiqui, Amirul, Fahim Akhtar, Javed Iqbal, Shahzada Iqbal, Faraz Ahmad, Irani etc.

Mahfooz Alam
(Convener)