Activists, Students & Journalists In Odisha Protest Against Attack On JNU Students

Bhubaneswar: There was a huge demonstration in the Odisha capital on Monday under the united banner of ‘Odisha JNU Protest’, against the attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) students in Delhi on Sunday evening. 

Members of the civil society, student activists, journalists and citizens from different spheres in Odisha, members from various political parties gathered at Master Canteen Square in Bhubaneswar holding placards and banners against the alleged violence by ABVP members. Some of the, read: ‘Stop hooliganism in JNU campus. We denounce fascist attack on JNU.’

CPI leaders demanded Amit Shah’s resignation over the issue saying, he has failed to protect the students as a home minister.

Students of Rama Devi Women’s University also held a demonstration in front of the college condemning the violence at JNU. They were led by AIDSO.

The attack by masked assailants in the JNU has sparked protests by students across the nation.

“We condemn the brutal attack of RSS and ABVP goons on JNU students. Yesterday, ABVP goons backed by Home Minister Amit Shah attacked JNU students. We demand a judicial enquiry and punishment for the culprits behind this attack,” said Ram Krushna Panda, national executive committee member CPI. 

Senior journalist Rajesh Mohapatra said, “I appeal to every liberal citizen of Odisha to come forward putting behind their party affiliation and protest against this brutal attack on JNU students. We will continue our protest until those culprits are put behind bars. Yesterday’s incident has crossed all limits. It is not an attack on students but an attack on democracy.”

Swosti Sangeeta Dalai, secretary AIDSO, said, “We have gathered here to condemn the barbaric attack on JNU students. We also condemn Delhi Police’s role in the attack. We demand strict punishment for those involved in this violent attack on students.”

Nandlal Singh, youth activist and BJD member said, “It’s a shameful incident. We are here in solidarity with the JNU students. We demand the intervention of the home minister and strict action so that such incidents are not repeated at any university. Our CM, Naveen Patnaik, has also condemned the JNU violence.”

Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik took to Twitter on Monday morning to condemn the JNU violence saying, “Shocked to know about the violent #JNUattack. Violence has no space in democracy and such attacks on students must be condemned unequivocally. Appeal law enforcement agencies to take swift action to apprehend the culprits and wish the injured students a speedy recovery.”