Last evening students of Jamia Milia Islamia University in Delhi were subject to police brutality as they set out to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Protests have erupted across the country against both CAA, as well as the threat of a nationwide NRC (like the one being done in Assam), from the Home Minister, Amit Shah. People across India have expressed concern about NRC and CAA as a deadly combination that might specifically affect India’s primary minority community. In Assam, the protest is in fact about the violation of the Assam Accord by the CAA. And the fear that Assamese identity will be threatened if several lakh Hindus who have currently not made the NRC list are declared citizens. Two different angles, but the protests continue across the nation, especially in campuses.
Students of JMI took to the streets yesterday. They’ve since said that others who were also protesting from the neighbourhood fomented trouble. The result? Police action, including tear gassing the library and the campus of JMI. Students, men and women, have been assaulted and several admitted to hospitals for treatment.
In this backdrop, several voices in social media called upon the Khans of Bollywood to speak for the students. In particular, Shah Rukh Khan, whose alma mater JMI is. Incidentally, JMI is the alma mater of several journalists and members of the media.
Where’s that superstar from Jamia?
No words in solidarity for students?
I understand you stay away from talking about Muslims cause oh my god that’s so political but how about something for your alma mater? No? Maybe?— Zainab Sikander (@zainabsikander) December 15, 2019
Kudos to the brave students of Jamia Millia Islamia . Will @iamsrk join his alma mater in #CABProtests https://t.co/QNAN5pwD0i
— Ameen S (@onwardkerala) December 13, 2019
@iamsrk it’s high time you extended your solidarity with the #JamiaMilliaIslamia students. Your Alma mater is fighting to keep the idea of India alive that you take so much pride in. The selfie was disappointing enough, do not be a further let down. Please. #JamiaProtest #Jamia
— suchismita (@suchismita810) December 15, 2019
Dear Mr. @iamsrk you are capable of stopping a Nuclear War with your stretched arms. You are capable of doin any damn magic. At this hour, India needs you. Speak up!
Your Community, Your Alma-mater is being demonized. Speak up #ShahrukhKhan. Protest.#JamiaMilia #Jamia #CAA2019 pic.twitter.com/dZOVR2fosg— Mayukh Ranjan Ghosh (@mayukhrghosh) December 15, 2019
On this day, remember the enablers who take selfies and shake hands with tyrants but refuse to speak out against the brazen injustice in the country. You know who you are and I hope history records your cowardice.
— Rana Ayyub (@RanaAyyub) December 15, 2019
This! @RanaAyyub pic.twitter.com/7kVIjY0PGq
— Girl in the moon (@wml321go) December 15, 2019
Watch, SRK on his alma mater in an interview to NDTV:
