A group of people, accused of being BJP and ABVP members, entered Pondicherry University and protested against students who were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Bill 2019. On Tuesday, several organizations including SFI conducted protest demonstrations against the bill, claiming that it is an attack on the secular ideas of Indian democracy. As the protests continued on Wednesday as well, a group of 15-20 people entered the varsity carrying BJP flags to protest against the students who were burning an effigy of Home Minister Amit Shah along with copies of the CAB. A video of them entering the campus has been circulated on social media.
The Pondicherry University Students' Union (PUSU) members have condemned the incident calling it a 'high-level breach of security' on the administration's part. "This is a violation of the security promised to the student community. We understand how this move was aimed to create a sense of fear among us. We have always believed in a safe and inclusive campus space where dissenting voices and dialogue have been encouraged. We firmly believe that the student's community of Pondicherry University is standing brave and united against such condemnable acts of hooliganism. We assure you that we will address this issue and take it to the administration. If they do not take immediate action, we will have to think of other measures," P Parichay Yadav, PUSU president told Edex.
Students have also alleged that the police acted forcefully against the students for conducting peaceful protest demonstrations. "The police has filed FIRs against almost 40 students who were protesting on campus and burning effigies of the home minister and the copies of CAB. It is clear that no one can raise their voice against the government in power, " said A Anand, former SFI President and current DYFI Puducherry President.
Anand added that the BJP members' protest was 'unnecessary' and they were just trying to threaten the students. "They are creating an atmosphere of fear across the country and now in educational institutions as well. We highly condemn this sort of behavior. Our fight to protect the values of the Constitution against the CAB and NRC will rise higher and we will not bow down to these scare tactics of the Sangh or the Government," he added.
The Pondicherry University authorities could not be reached for comment.
