Human Chain Protest on fifth Day of Stand With AMU.

AMUSU president, Maskoor Ahmad Usmani, leading the protest

The fifth day of the protest saw huge number of students gathering at the Bab-e-Syed to participate in the human chain march from Bab-e-Syed to the district magistrate (DM) residence at the Civil Lines. The march was peaceful and democratic inspired by Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent way lead by Aligarh Muslim University Student’s Union (AMUSU) president, Maskoor Ahmad Usmani. The human chain comprised of AMUSU chairs, Women’s College Student’s Union (WCSU) chairs, teachers of Aligarh Muslim University Teacher’s Association (AMUTA), non-teaching staff, school teachers, Old Boys, and AMU students. Girls, who attended the protest in large numbers, were eventually excluded from the human chain due to their safety issues.

Girls taking out their protest march

However, the human chain march did not leave the campus for the DM’s residence due to safety matter as there was a vigilant and increased police force outside the gates of the university. They left from Bab-e-Syed, passing by the Zakir Hussain College for Engineering and Technology and returned back to Bab-e-Syed. Meanwhile, the girls who were disappointed at not being a part of the protest took out their own within the campus peace march from guest house 2, passing by ZHCET, Sunni Theology department and back to Bab-e-Syed.

    Male students participating in human chain march

                                                   
The protest march was decided to be taken out at the failure of the district administration meeting the demands of the AMUSU within the given time of twenty-four hours. The demands were simple and justifiable. They asked for taking into account the breach in the security of the former Vice President, Mr. Hamid Ansari, who visited the university on the 2nd May and inclusion of appropriate charges in the FIR.
The immediate suspension of the police officers who escorted the RSS and HYV goons to the Bab-e-Syed and further actions to be taken against them.
Only two out of the fifteen goons, whose names have been filed in the complaint and FIR, have been arrested to date. They demanded for prompt efforts to be made for the arrest of the other thirteen.
At a meeting held on 5th May of district administration with the AMUSU office bearers, and Vice-chancellor it has been assured that all the malicious FIR charges would be immediately withdrawn from the innocent AMU students.
A time-bound judicial inquiry would be immediately instituted by a sitting High Court Judge.
Appropriate actions be taken against the right-wing elements to incite violence and communal hate racy. And the safety of AMU students be assured.
Although, the idea of a human chain march could not be executed but it showed the solidarity of the students. Various faulty members, student union members from other universities and former President of AMUSU came to motivate the students with their speech and also advised them regarding their future course of actions. This is the first time in the history of AMU when students including girls have participated for a cause in such a huge number.

Report by Nikhat Parween | @nikhat_zaka (Instagram)