India

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There are currently concerns about the situation at Delhi University. The right wing student organisation ABVP and the police brutally beaten up a number of peaceful protestors in February 2017. It was claimed that they are beating up 'anti-nationals'. They have been threatened and identified and chased. Here is a write up from a movement called Pinjratod: Break the hostel locks:

"Once again, as students gathered to march against ABVP's attack on Ramjas students, unfolded another day of tremendous violence.
As the night falls, we are tired, we are exhausted, as we hold each other close, telling ourselves that we will not let this fear overcome us, that we will gather from each other every little bit of strength to heal, to care, to fight back this attack, with all that we have got in us.
As news flows in of ABVP men roaming in Vijaynagar with rods and sticks to hunt down those who were at the protest today, we remember how they attacked and threw stones at us today on the streets of the university that we walk every day, in broad daylight, in the presence of the police. We remember the injuries, the blood, the screams, the confusion, the panic. A sudden knock on the door at night has never seemed so frightening before. As the fear grips, we draw strength from how we held on to each other, reached out to one another, and refused to move from those streets today, despite the blatant threats and intimidation, despite the stones and shoes thrown at us, despite the glass bottles hurled, despite the iron rods, despite the police that unleashed violence on us instead of arresting the ABVP men.
A pinjra tod member was followed by two ABVP men screaming "aa lele azaadi" as she was rushing to her hostel, another member has been getting incessant calls from an unknown number with men telling her "bharat mata ki jai bol, bol bharat mata ki jai", we are constantly in touch with one another, staying in big groups and not alone. As these stories flow in through the night, we remember how we collectively screamed against this appalling display of masculinity and impunity through the day "bharat ki mata nahi banenge", and gave them a message loud and clear "ABVP Khabadar".
This night will pass, and we will still be there tomorrow, for each other, with each other."

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A solidarity demonstration might be organised in Cambridge. If you would like to join the announce list for solidarity demonstrations like this please add yourself here (link under construction).

 

Cambridge South Asia Watch is a group of staff and students at the University of Cambridge interested in fostering dialogue on contemporary developments in South Asia

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​​Critical Theory and Practice hosts talks on questions on or related to political activism in India. Open to all.

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