Ahmedabad varsity freighting students over protesting against CAA, say activists

Activists alleged on Wednesday that Nirma University tried to frighten its students who took part in protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and also advised their parents to counsel them.

A protest had been organised against the CAA and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) outside the Sabarmati Ashram last week.

Activists of the ‘Young India National Coordination Committee’ and ‘Campaign against CAA-NRC-NPA’ on Wednesday shared with the media screen shots of text messages that the university purportedly sent to students and their parents.

According to sources, the message goes as such:

“Dear Parents, Greetings from Institute of Law, Nirma University. It has come to our knowledge that your ward was involved in protest against recent issues. The Police and Intelligence Bureau-IB have taken details of your ward from us,” read the SMS.

“We at our end have counselled the students to refrain from any such activities and we also expect the support from your side. This is also to inform you that if your ward continues to participate in the protest, the police might create a record against him. Thanks,” the message stated.

The activists alleged that students were being intimidated for participating in a peaceful protest. “Students were forced to give undertakings that they will refrain from participating in any such activities in future,” a statement from the activists claimed.

“We demand the concerned authorities to pull back the messages sent to students and their parents and not to intimidate and harass students for exercising their fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression,” it added.

Nirma University officials were not available for comment over the issue.

On 17 December, college students, activists and others staged a peaceful protest against CAA and NRC outside Sabarmati Ashram, set up by Mahatma Gandhi in 1917.