Hyderabad: Students of Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU) have strongly condemned the filing of an FIR against PhD scholar and student leader Talha Mannan. The case was registered in Aligarh after Mannan joined protests at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on August 4. The protests were against the sudden fee hike that students said would push many from poor backgrounds out of higher education.
According to the FIR, filed by a member of the Hindu Raksha Dal, Mannan and others raised pro-Palestine slogans outside Bab-e-Syed Gate while wearing a Palestinian flag scarf. The complaint claimed the slogans were provocative and harmful to social harmony. Legal charges have been framed under Sections 223 and 353(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Student groups, however, have pointed out that no violence occurred during the protest and that the slogans were an expression of democratic dissent and solidarity with the oppressed people of Palestine.
Student organizations and activists across India have expressed support for Mannan. Umar Faruq Quadri, National Vice President of the Fraternity Movement, said the FIR was “an attack on the right of students to raise their voice against injustice.” He argued that the case reflected attempts by Hindutva groups to silence critical voices and criminalize peaceful expressions of solidarity.
For the Muslim community, the incident has once again highlighted concerns about shrinking democratic space and the targeting of student activists. MANUU students have called on the government to withdraw the FIR and ensure protection of democratic rights on campuses.
