Aysha Renna's would probably be the face that most people would associate with the anti-CAA protests in Jamia Millia Islamia. In one such post, Renna condemned the judiciary's decision to hang Yakub Memon, in the 1993 Bombay bombings. The post soon went viral, with many calling her a 'terrorist sympathiser'. To this, Renna says, "A lot of activists had different perspectives about Yakub Memon. So many of them were against his hanging. I'm a History student and I have my own perspective. Indian constitution allows me the right to speech and expression."
While many lauded this young woman for standing up in the face of police violence and protecting her friend Shaheen Abdullah from getting beaten up, the others were quick to dig up her old Facebook posts and circulate them.
She also says that her old posts are being used to propagate hatred and divert people's attention from the right issues. "Now, the sanghis and pro-Hindutva activists are using this against me and our movement to save the constitution. They're trying to divert the attention. But I won't back off. I will continue my fight," she says. She says that she wouldn't comment on her stand on the Yakub Memon issue right now and would want to concentrate on issues that are relevant right now.
A mass reporting has got Renna's Facebook Facebook and Twitter accounts blocked on Tuesday. She also tells us that there have been hate campaigns and attempts to slander her and her family. "I've already spoken to my lawyers. Legal actions will be taken soon," she says.
