Anti-CAA protests: Congress leaders stage dharna at India Gate

New Delhi: Protests have ignited across Indian universities against the Delhi police's action against non-protesting students of JMI in Delhi. In latest, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi joined the protesters at India Gate and said that the Citizenship Amendment Bill is against the constitution, and that every Indian must fight against it. This evening, crowds multiplied at the India Gate where Priyanka Gandhi staged a dharna against police brutality on students of Jamia Millia Islamia university. The police beefed up security in the area and SWAT force team was moved in.

Congress leader Jagdish Tytler also reached India Gate to join Priyanka Gandhi's protest. Congress leaders Ambika Sonia, Ghulam Nabi Azad, AK Antony and Ahmed Patel also joined Priyanka Gandhi at India Gate to protest against the attack on Jamia students.

Speaking about the protest, Congress's Ghulam Nabi Azad said: "The Congress party is holding a protest against incident where students of Jamia were charged with lathi. Students were beaten up the by the police and without taking the administration in confidence. The administration did not issue any permission to the police for advancing such actions. The country condemns the act and it is very unfortunate. "

Owing to security reasons, Priyanka Gandhi left the premises, on police's suggestion as the crowds were building up.

The Issue:

Last evening, videos of Delhi police force barging into JMI university premises, lighting buses on fire, and hitting the students severely bruising them surfaced on the internet. The students - most of them who belong to the Muslim faith in the University alleged that they were peacefully studying in the library, when the police launched an unprecedented attack on them with tear gas shells. Some of them said their legs were badly fractured, and the police used lewd language on them. Many students have started to leave for their homes post the attacks. Students also claimed that they saw police light buses on fire, and blamed it on the students.