Tanha was arrested in connection with the violence which happened inside and around the university on 15 December. This incident is seen as a brutal crackdown on the students by the Delhi police
Waquar Hasan | Clarion India
NEW DELHI – It has been 100 days since Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) student and anti-CAA activist Asif Iqbal Tanha has been arrested by the Delhi police in connection with the violence that broke out at the famed central university.
Now, a campaign has been launched on social media, as well as offline, demanding his release.
National President of SIO (Student Islamic Organisation) Labeed Aliya termed the 100-day period as “100 days of pain, injustice, imprisonment and human rights breach”.
He said that Tanha was a brilliant student activist of JMI who had helped the people hit by the lockdown amid the coronavirus disease (covid) pandemic, adding that he was also the sole support of his family through a part-time job while continuing his study.
“Students are in jail because they dare to talk about the injustice? This is an attempt to crush the brave new leadership. Dear Tanha, you are an example of dignity and firmness. The histories of Muharram Month teach us the spirit of courage, sacrifice and the fight against injustice,” said Aliya.
The Kerala unit of SIO is holding an online protest conference on Thursday on the imprisonment of Tanha whose father Mujeebullah and mother Jahan Aara are scheduled to address the meet.
End Political Vendetta against Anti-CAA activists . Online Protest Conference organised by @SIOKerala on the occassion of 100+ days of unjust imprisonment of Asif Tanha, Jamia Student leader will be held on 2020 August 26, Wed, 7.30 PM.#ReleaseAsifTanha #100DaysOfInjustice pic.twitter.com/IarH24eGBG
— SIO Kerala (@SIOKerala) August 26, 2020
On Tuesday, netizens also launched a campaign on Twitter demanding Tanha’s release.
Demanding his release, young poet and activist Nabiya Khan said, “Delhi Court already granted bail to Asif Tanha in the 15 Dec Jamia Violence Case on 28/5/20. However, he still remains in custody under UAPA. The spree of unidirectional investigation shows the fear of dissenting voices to the authorities. #ReleaseAsifTanha #100DaysOfInjustice”.
Delhi Court already granted bail to Asif Tanha in the 15 Dec Jamia Violence Case on 28/5/20. However, he still remains in custody under UAPA.
The spree of unidirectional investigation shows the fear of dissenting voices to the authorities.#ReleaseAsifTanha #100DaysOfInjustice pic.twitter.com/C1zI9nkm9w
— Nabiya Khan | نبیہ خان (@NabiyaKhan11) August 25, 2020
Asif Iqbal Tanha was arrested by Delhi Police 100 days ago.
He is in jail since May 2020, meanwhile Kapil Mishra is launching propaganda books.#ReleaseAsifTanha pic.twitter.com/D1AyK0yttA
— Md Asif Khan (@imMAK02) August 25, 2020
Tweeting in his support, Jamia student Ladeeda Farzana, who was at the forefront of anti-CAA protests, said, “Tanha spoke for equal citizenship. His fight was against fascism. Until he is freed, we will speak for him. Until he is freed, we will fight for him”.
Asif spoke for equal citizenship. His fight was against fascism. Until he is freed, we will speak for him. Until he is freed, we will fight for him.#FreeAsifTanha #ReleaseAntiCAAActivists #100DaysofInjustice pic.twitter.com/oQUxu3gJLH
— ️Ladeeda Farzana (@ladeedafarzana) August 25, 2020
Demanding Tanha’s release, JNU student leader Afreen Fatima said, “A state that witch-hunts and imprisons its students, curbs their right to dissent and, sponsors attacks on them, should be very scared about its future”.
A state that witch-hunts and imprisons it’s students, curbs their right to dissent and, sponsors attacks on them, should be very scared about it’s future.#ReleaseAsifTanha #100DaysOfInjustice
— Afreen Fatima (@AfreenFatima136) August 25, 2020
There were others who joined this campaign and demanded Tanha’s release.
We are raising our voice to bring back your voice… you will be free soon, again you will raise your Voice, and again we will gather with you.#ReleaseAsifTanha#100DaysOfInjustice pic.twitter.com/4mFcihExvB
— Abul Aala Subhani (@abulaalasubhani) August 25, 2020
History will remember Corona less as Pandemic & more a drive of witch-hunt & persecution of Muslims.
This pandemic has proven to be powerful tool for fascist forces to slay leading Muslim voices. #ReleaseAsifTanha #100DaysOfInjustice pic.twitter.com/GBYigEVPii— Aysha Renna (@AyshaRenna) August 25, 2020
Tanha, a student of Persian at JMI, was the member of Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) which was organising protests against the discriminatory Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) outside the campus. Tanha and other committee members were arrested in connection with different cases.
Tanha was arrested in connection with the violence which happened inside and around the university on 15 December. This incident is seen as a brutal crackdown on the students by the Delhi police. However, the police shifted the blame on the students claiming they were responsible for the violence and arrested some students, including Tanha, for it.
Tanha is also secretary of the JMI unit of the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO).