The protesting students and teachers who have been on the streets advocating against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 and the eventual threat of implementing National Register for Citizens (NRC) nationwide have time and again emphasised on the importance of education on the issue before protesting. The Jamia Teachers' Association (JTA) is set to implement this thought once Jamia Millia Islamia reopens after the ongoing vacations — public lectures, twice a week, on CAA and NRC have been planned by the teachers.
But who are welcome? The Secretary of the JTA, Dr Majid Jamil said that even though it is meant for the teachers, everyone is welcome. "We will be organising a series of lectures on the issues being discussed right now — CAA and NRC — even though we are yet to zero in on the topics and the respective speakers, the plan is clear. We will organise two to three lectures a week for a period of time. People need to know why so many people are out on the streets protesting," said Dr Jamil. "The people are very angry. India is burning and the people in the position of power are not addressing the issue properly," he added.
The JTA also urged everyone including the students of Jamia Millia Islamia to suspend their protests against CAA and NRC on Christmas Day. The students, though, have decided to go ahead with the protest but will also spread the Christmas cheer. They are set to celebrate Christmas together at the protest site.
Dr Jamil said that they had no conversation with the students on this issue and they have urged everyone to suspend the protest for a day to respect the birth of Jesus Christ. "Christmas is a globally celebrated festival of peace and cheer around the world. Therefore, JTA appeals to spread a message of peace and love for humanity," he said.
On Christmas eve, the protesting students and citizens at large will march from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar — a 2km stretch — to protest the imminent application of the CAA and NRC. The march is being conducted by the Jamia Coordination Committee (JCC) — a combined group of students from different organisations leading the protest. "We will continue the protests no matter what. Other than the march there will be protests on campus," Ajaz Choudhary, National Joint Secretary of the AISA. "As for the protests on Christmas, even though the JTA has urged everyone to suspend the protests we will not adhere to that. But the Christmas will be celebrated right here at the protest site," he added.
