From Lucknow to Hyderabad, Jamia protest spreads to other campuses

Shahira Naim

Tribune News Service

Lucknow, December 16

Protest and violence on Monday spread to the educational institutions across several cities, including Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow University and Integral University when students came out in support of students of Jamia Milia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), who faced police action in Delhi and Aligarh.

The students have been out on the streets to demand the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act. 

Trouble first started on Sunday night at Nadwa, an Islamic seminary as students came out on the streets in front of the university in a peaceful protest expressing solidarity in support of the students of Jamia and AMU.

As the police closed the gates of the Darul Uloom from outside, agitated students pelted stones at the police from the inside.

After sometime, stone pelting stopped and Lucknow SSP Kalanidhi Naithani claimed that students had returned to their classes.

“About 150 students had come out to protest but they are going back to their classes. The situation is now normal,” he said.

UP DGP OP Singh said that the law and order situation would be strictly implemented on the campus and those students who indulge in violence would be dealt with strictly.

He appealed to the students to maintain peace.

Apprehending more trouble in Lucknow, Aligarh and Saharanpur CrPC Section 144 has been strictly enforced in all districts.

Internet services have also been suspended in Aligarh and Saharanpur.

However, clarifying the position additional Chief Secretary (Home) Avanish Awasthi said, “Prohibitory orders remain imposed in all districts of the state since November 9.”

After trouble in AMU, the university has been closed for the winter vacation till January 5 and students of the largely residential university asked to vacate their hostels within 24 hours.

Many AMU students are missing and at least 22 have been detained in Malkhan hospital.

UP minister for minority welfare Mohsin Raza, has invited clerics form Shia and Sunni sects as well as the Nadwa College to appeal for peace and assure them of the good intentions of the Citizenship Amendment Act.

 “It is up to the religious leaders to explain things to students and prevent them from being misled by vested interest,” he said.

 Meanwhile, the Allahabad University and BHU has also announced to stage protest on Monday afternoon in support of AMU and Jamia students.

The police have reportedly registered cases against 500 AMU students where clashes took place late on Sunday night.