AMU Kashmiri Students Threaten to Leave University En Masse on October 17

Nearly 1,200 Kashmiri students of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) have come together amidst outrage over the “sedition charges” and “harassment” of three Kashmiri students by the administration, threatening to leave the University en masse on October 17, if the sedition charges and show cause notice issued to the said students are not retracted.

AMU had been in the news after the controversial suspension of three Kashmiri students for allegedly trying to perform a Namaz- e- Janaza (prayer meeting) for a slain PhD scholar-turned militant, Manan Bashir Wani. Wani was killed by the security forces in an encounter at Shatgund village in Handwara area of north Kashmir's Kupwara district on October 11.

As per the reports, the three students were booked under sedition charges after a video of them went viral, where they could be seen raising “Azaadi” slogans. However, students have denied such claims, calling it a ‘concocted story’ by the University to spread fear among the students. Talking to Newsclick, Sajid, a Kashmiri student at AMU, said, “We have decided to hand over our degrees tomorrow at the time of the Alumni Meet which we think is the right time to return our degrees. They have named these students, framing them with fake charges just because we belong to Jammu and Kashmir, because we are Kashmiris. There was no prayer meeting held.”

Recalling the entire incident, Sajid said, “We had gathered after we heard the news of the killing of Manan Wani. He was our friend. We decided to hold a prayer meeting but we were not granted  permission. So, we cancelled our decision of holding any prayer and dispersed. However, few hours later, we learnt that three Kashmiri students have been booked under sedition charges.”

Another student, on condition anonymity, said, “We gathered when we learnt of the sedition charges and demanded for justice. In return, we were met with lathi charge. No prayer meet was held, even the Registrar has confirmed that. So, what is this vilification campaign going on and what are these fake charges? 2019 elections are nearby and hence, Kashmir is a good issue to distract the masses so they stop asking real questions.”

The letter submitted to the AMUTA (AMU Teachers’ Association) by the Kashmiri students reads, “No prayer or any irrelevant activity was observed, and the directions of the AMU-Proctor were duly followed. Meanwhile, some non-Kashmiri students armed with lathis attacked the sitting students and caused a massive disturbance. However, Kashmiri students dispersed immediately and no protest or law and order violation took place. This has been confirmed by the Registrar, AMU, as well.”

The letter further reads, “We have got information through media that IPC sections pertaining to rioting, rioting with dangerous weapons, promoting enmity between different groups on the grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., provocation with intent to cause riot, and 124A sedition have been charged on three students who were later suspended by the University. All these charges are absolutely fake and have been levelled to challenge the peace at the campus and threaten the Kashmiri students.”

Students’ across Universities Support Suspended Students, barring Right-wing 

Meanwhile, non-Kashmiri students have also come out in support of the Kashmiri students in the campus. An AMU student, Sharjeel, who is a non-Kashmiri said, “I don't find any reason why I should not stand with them. The charges are false and baseless, and no Namaz-e- Janaza was held. Let's think hypothetically, even if it was performed it’s their constitutional right. The government itself had held Namaz-e- Janaza for Afzal Guru and Maqbool Ahmed. Almost everyone is supporting the suspended students except for those who subscribe to right wing ideology.”

Kashmiri students from Jamia Milia Islamia University, Delhi, have also come out in support of the Kashmiri students. In a press release, Jamia students have shown “unconditional solidarity”. The press release read, “With deep concern, absolute dismay and unconditional solidarity with Kashmiri students studying at AMU, we the bonafide students of Jamia Milia Islamia (Central University), residents of Jammu and Kashmir, are aghast at the lodging of FIRs and invoking of draconian laws like “sedition” on the ‘Kashmiri students at AMU’... We, the Kashmiri students of Jamia Milia Isalmia, demand an immediate revocation of the FIRs lodged against the Kashmiri AMU students, withdrawal of show cause notice and end of this political intimidation.”

On Monday, the students of Kashmir University also staged a silent march in solidarity with the affected students.

Governor Responds to Students’ Appeal

Students have appealed to the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, to take cognisance of the false charges levelled against the students. “We have also appealed to the governor that arrangements of safety and security should made for students leaving on October 17, if sedition charges are not withdrawn. After hearing the news of harassment on the campus, our parents are concerned. Even they support us and want us to return immediately else they will come to take us,” Sajid said.

Malik has taken up the matter with the Uttar Pradesh government and has assured that all concerns “will be addressed.”

Let's look at the case legally

Markandey Katju, former Supreme Court judge, has written to the three-member committee constituted by the AMU administration to explain the legal position. In an article written for DailyO, Katju wrote, “Under our Constitution, holding a “namaz-e- janaza” would be covered by the fundamental right of assembling peacefully and without arms guaranteed by Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution.”

He further added, “As regards shouting of Azaadi slogan, this by itself is no crime, and in fact, it is a part of the freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution."

Newsclick contacted Katju for his comment but was unable to get through.