Mohd Alamullah l Clarion India
NEW DELHI – Various student organizations commemorated the fourth anniversary of the police firing, lathi charge, and the brutal attack on the library at Jamia Millia Islamia during the CAA-NRC protests four years ago on 15 December 2019. Participants expressed profound grief over and anger against the government’s sectarian politics, and demanded the release of their fellow students still languishing in jails.
In a powerful display of unity, students marched through the streets carrying flags and placards demanding justice. A candlelit vigil was also held to honor the martyrs of anti-CAA and NRC protests urging the authorities not to persecute those who are fighting for justice.
The gathering featured the reading of critical excerpts from Human Rights reports, shedding light on the atrocities committed during the CAANRC protests. Disturbing images of students injured in the incident were showcased, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. An awareness campaign unfolded, with students distributing several pamphlets to ensure that the narrative of persecution remains etched in public memory.
The program commenced in the morning, with banners and pamphlets distributed in in Urdu, Hindi, English and other languages after Friday prayers at designated places on the campus, documenting the details of the tragic incident and its aftermath.
As the day progressed, a rally took place in the evening where students raised slogans against the Delhi Police. Expressing solidarity, participants also voiced their support for Palestine and condemned Israeli brutality in Gaza. Addressing a large crowd in front of the central canteen, Al-Fuz Azmi, a student, declared that the BJP government’s attempts to suppress dissent will not deter Jamiastudents, who have a long and established history ofresisting oppression.
Sushmita Agarwal, astudent, expressed disappointment at the discrimination faced by JMI students. She pointed out the irony that the protectors turned aggressors, referring to the police’s role in the 2019 incident.
Another student, Swetha Sharma, in her address, condemned the government’s brutal suppression of voices advocating for human rights. She pledged that the fight against injustice would persist until every marginalized citizen received justice.
Salman Raghib voiced concern over the government’s crackdown on human rights campaigners and highlighted the growing Islamophobia in the country. He called for an end to hatred, emphasizing that the student community would persevere until justice prevails.
On 15 December 2019 Delhi police attacked Jamia Millia Islamia, andinnured students and detained over a hundred of them. The library and washrooms were badly damaged. Despite calls from Human Rights Watch for a government investigation, justice remains elusive for the affected students. The event underscores the persistent struggle against injustice and the determination of students to seek accountability.
