Why did these Jamia students protest on campus today? Various student groups at Jamia Millia Islamia staged a protest on campus against Sunday violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).
In a statement issued to the media, Abul Fazal Enclave-headquartered SIO national secretary Musab Qazi said: “Students raised their voice against the widespread anti-Muslim violence witnessed during Ram Navami processions across the country.”
The protest march started from Jamia’s History Lawn and culminated at Gate No. 8.
“The students lashed out against the State and Central governments for their inaction on the incidents of violence across the country. The expressed their anger over rising lawlessness, hate crimes and attacks on the lives and livelihoods of minorities,” said the statement issued by one students’ body which was part of the march on the campus.
The protest was jointly organised by the Students Islamic Organisation of India (SIO), All India Students Association (AISA), Campus Front of India, Fraternity Movement, AIRSO and DISSC, said the statement.
Musaddiq Mubeen, president, SIO Jamia said: “The attack on students in JNU by ABVP… is extremely appalling and highlights the daylight thuggery and mobocracy that is becoming norm across the country. The bloodshed unleashed in the name of vegetarian puritanity unmasks the violence, malice and bloodlust entrenched in it. We condemn such cowardly attacks in JNU and across India.”
He said: “The rising incidents of violence call into question the role of administration, police and courts. The Muslim community across the country is under siege. We demand the government to protect Muslim lives and properties and take stringent action.”