New Delhi, March 13: In a steadfast display of opposition to the Government’s bid to enforce the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a coalition of various student organizations including AIRSO, AISA, AISF, Collective, CRJD, DISSC, Fraternity Movement, MSF, SFD, SFI, and SIO convened a joint press conference at Gate No. 7 of Jamia Millia Islamia to condemn the government’s recent announcement to enforce the CAA.
The students articulated their firm stance against the discriminatory nature of the CAA, which they perceive as a deliberate attempt to mould India into a Hindu-centric nation. Emphasizing the timing of the implementation, strategically unveiled ahead of the 2024 General Elections, the move was interpreted as a calculated manoeuvre to sway voters while diverting focus from pertinent issues such as Electoral Bonds and Electoral Voting Machines (EVMs).
Recalling the fervent opposition witnessed during the nationwide protests from December 2019 to March 2020, the students highlighted the enduring resilience of the populace in the face of state repression, including arrests under stringent laws like the UAPA. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the spirit of dissent remained undeterred.
The resurgence of efforts to enforce the CAA reignited the students’ determination to combat what they perceive as an oppressive and undemocratic legislation targeting the Muslim community. Their demands, articulated with clarity and conviction, encompassed the repeal of the CAA, the unconditional release of detained activists, withdrawal of charges against them, and the restoration of a demilitarized campus environment.
A students collective expressed their unequivocal denunciation of the government decision. Pledging to sustain their struggle against the CAA, National Register of Citizens (NRC), and National Population Register (NPR), the unified voice of dissent echoed through the halls of Jamia Millia Islamia.
As the press conference concluded, the resounding message emanating from the campus served as a poignant reminder of the ongoing quest for justice, equality, and democratic principles within the Indian socio-political landscape.
