Solidarity statement for JNU
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 22 2016: Appalled by the conduct of the present regime against Jawaharlal Nehru University where students are being hunted down for de- bating on an issue which is also close to the heart of Manipur, 138 individuals - drawn from different professions and ex-JNU stu- dents, urged for the unconditional withdrawal of police personnel from campuses.

The signatories, including teachers, activists, journalists, scholars, etc in a solidarity statement for JNU extended sup- port and solidarity with the students, faculty and staff of JNU.

There is critical need for deepening dialogue on the very idea of India so that many nations and nationalities have space for their expressions rather than stifling them within a very narrow definition of India.

There are very few institutions in India where such a debate can take place, and a healthy debate will allow India to be critical of itself ensuring a more vibrant multicultural and multi-national India, the solidarity statement said.

"We strongly believe that universities must be non-milita- rized spaces where students and teachers are able to freely engage on topics such as the one that took place in JNU.

They must not be suppressed ideologically and militarily in the name of national security.

Back here, there is military occupation in the heart of Manipur University.

Yes, in the name of security.

And it is time the military completely withdraws away from the sites of learning and knowledge," it said.

It also denounced the arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, President of the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union on un- founded charges of sedition and demanded his immediate release.

The University Authorities must take steps to ensure that the witch hunt that is ensuing against other students must also cease immediately, it said while demanding that there be no more arrests of students .

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