Even as reports of Kanhaiya Kumar being beaten under the police’s gaze have surfaced, and a tense standoff between the people of Jawaharlal Nehru University and the Delhi police drags on, various academic communities from around the world have written in with their support for the students. The ones The Wire has received are collected and reproduced, in full, below.Statements:Architects in solidarity with the JNU community IIT Delhi faculty – Letter of solidarity for JNUSyracuse University – Statement of solidarity for academic freedom in IndiaUniversity of Oxford members, alumni – In solidarity with JNUJapanese scholars working on India – Statement in support of the teaching and student community of Jawaharlal Nehru University Statement of solidarity by Noam Chomsky, Orhan Pamuk, and othersStanford University extends solidarity to JNULetter of solidarity with JNU students and faculty from professionals, academics and artists in West BengalStatement from academicians in GujaratCanadian academics stand with JNU and student struggles in IndiaOpen letters from CeMIS professors and students expressing solidarity with JNU students and staffStatement of solidarity with student activists in India, from PennsylvaniaBangalore research network’s letter of solidarity with JNUIn solidarity with the dissenting student community in India: A statement from AustraliaStatement of solidarity with Jawaharlal Nehru University, India – City University of New YorkStatement of support for JNU – from the academic community of Rhode Island (PDF)Statement from Sri Lanka in solidarity with protesting students of India (PDF)Statement of solidarity with JNU from members of Yale UniversityA citizen’s appeal to the president of India to restore trust in the democratic spirit of our Constitution (PDF)Statement of solidarity from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (PDF)UK South Asia Institutes in solidarity with JNUStatement of solidarity from a group of alumni – TISS, India (PDF)Open letter in support of the students and faculty of JNU – Berlin academics1. Architects in solidarity with the JNU communityTo: The JNU Teachers Association, JNU Students UnionCC: Vice Chancellor, JNUWe are writing this in utmost shock and despair regarding the recent events and developments at your campus. We want to extend our full support to the JNU teachers association and the democratically elected JNU Student Union. We believe there is a difference between the nation, the state and the government of the day, and fully support your constitutional right to air your positions, as different or diverse as they may be, without illegal interference from any particular ruling ideology, party or state machinery.As those engaged in architecture, we believe that imagination and reason are the highest of human faculties. This gift is what we constantly cultivate and rely on – in academia and in practice – when we question what exists, however natural, fixed and irreplaceable it may seem, and fearlessly posit alternatives. Indeed, there is little difference for us between possessing a moral imagination and being able to imagine such alternate worlds and other ways of being.The inability therefore to envision life in another’s shoes, to disagree and to counter ideas with more aesthetic or eloquent ones without resorting to character assassination, violence and charges of anti-nationalism, betray to us an alarming lack of imagination, and we strongly condemn this in all its forms.We condemn this absence of imagination and the physical and epistemic violence it has unleashed on the university community especially teachers and students. We stand with you in support of the university as a marketplace of ideas where all ideas and opinions are passionately argued, ripped apart, defended and critically re-imagined in ever new ways, leading to a more enlightened citizenry. This must be allowed to happen without fear or favour, risk of persecution or charges of sedition. If nothing else, the imagination of our founding fathers demands it, and we are in solidarity with your right to exercise it.(This statement represents us in our individual capacities and not the institutions we are associated with.)Signatories: (In alphabetical order)S.No.NameDesignationLocation1A.SrivathsanProfessor, CEPT University AhmedabadAhmedabad2Abhishek BiswasIndustrial DesignerGoa3Ajas P FasalArchitectTrivandrum4Akshay SrinivasStudentDelhi5Amit RastogiTeam lead, CnT ArchitectsBangalore6Amit SarmaAssociate Professor, Sushant School of Art and ArchitectureDelhi7Amrita DasguptaArchitectNew Delhi8Amrita MadanProfessorNew Delhi9Aneesh BabuArchitectDubai, United Arab Emirates10AnishaArchitectDelhi11Aparna VArchitectKochi, Kerala12ArshArchitectDelhi13Arun Jacob MathewArchitect14Arun.S.R.ArchitectKerala15Arusree Mohanty ChhayaArchitectSweden16Ashish ByakodArchitectBangalore17Ashwini KherAssistant ProfessorGurgaon18Avni MehtaStudentNew Delhi19B S BhooshanArchitect. Principal BSB ArchitectsMysore20Bhawna JaiminiProgram Assistant, Hunnarshala FoundationBhuj, Gujarat21Boney PhilipProject ManagerDubai22DebashreeArchitect, AcademicianBangalore23Debasish BorahProject director, Roots Collective, LadakhLeh24DeekshaArchitectNew Delhi25Deepak KumarStudent, M. Arch (Urban Design)Delhi26Deepanshu ArnejaArchitectNew Delhi27Deepu RaviEditorTrivandrum28Divya ChopraArchitectNew Delhi29Dr Vibhuti SachdevProfessorDelhi30G ShankarChief, Habitat Technology GroupThiruvanananthapuram31Ganga Dileep CArchitect, Assistant ProfessorTrivandrum32Gaurav RoychoudhuryArchitectBangalore33Girish ChandranLecturer, College of Architecture TrivandrumTrivandrum34HarshavardhanArchitectBangalore35Immanuel J NicholasArchitectBangalore36Indu VJunior ArchitectKerala37Ishan PalStudentDelhi38Ismet KhambattaDirectorAhmedabad39JaisimArchitectBangalore40Jaweed DarbarArchitect- EngineerBangalore41Jayaraj SundaresanAcademicBangalore42Jinoj M.Assistant ProfessorTrivandrum43Juhi MalpaniArchitect-Town PlannerDelhi44Kamlesh PohekarAssociate ProfessorBangalore45Kanchan GuptaArchitect & PlannerMumbai46Kanishka PrasadArchitect, DESIGN DaftarNew Delhi47Karan GroverPrincipal, Karan Grover & AssociatesBaroda48Karthik K ShettyFreelancerKarnataka49Kiranjith CSAssistant Professor, KMEA College of architecture.Kochi, kerala50Kshitij DhyaniM.Arch, student, Sir JJ College of Architecture, MumbaiDelhi51Leon MorenasAssociate Professor of ArchitectureDelhi52Madhav RamanPartner, Anagram ArchitectsNew Delhi53Mahesh RadhakrishnanPrincipal ArchitectChennai54ManasiCo founder, Partner. Bhoomija Creations.Trivandrum55Manish AhujaArchitectNew Delhi56Manpreet JunejaArchitectDelhi57Manu MahajanUrban DesignerDelhi58Maria KatticaranArchitectLos Angeles59Maya GomezArchitectTrivandrum60Miki DesaiArchitect, teacher, writerAhmedabad61Madhavi DesaiArchitect, teacher, writerAhmedabad62MonaArchitectDelhi63Monica ChaudharyArchitectNew Delhi64Mukta NaikVisiting Faculty, School of Planning and ArchitectureGurgaon65Naveen MahanteshPrincipal Architect, Cresarc ArchitectsBangalore66Neelkanth ChhayaArchitectAhmedabad67NipeshArchitectDelhi68Niveditaa GuptaArchitect and PhotographerNew Delhi69Parul ChoudharyCo-Principal PS CollectiveAhmedabad70Prabir HaldarArchitectNew Delhi71Prahlad GArchitectAhmedabad72Pramod balakrishnanChief architectChennai73Prem ChandavarkarManaging Partner, CnT ArchitectsBangalore74Priyanka PurtyArchitectJharkhand75Prof. Manoj MathurHoD, Architecture, SPA New DelhiDelhi76Prof.Oommen.TArchitectTrivandrum77Prosenjit BanerjeeArchitectNew Delhi78Radhika SinghArchitectNew Delhi79Raja Shyam SundarArchitectChennai80Rajshree RajmohanArchitect & academician81Ratnakiranarchitect, assistant professorVijayawada82Rita JohnAssistant Professor of Architecture, USAP, DelhiDelhi83Rojan Thomas JosephArchitectBangalore84Ruchika LallArchitectDelhi85Rupali GupteAssociate Professor, Founding Trustee, School of Environment and ArchitectureMumbai86Ruturaj ParikhDirector, Charles Correa Foundation.Goa87Ryan Christopher SequeiraFellow, National Institute of Urban AffairsDelhi88Sahil SasidharanAssociate – Academics & Research, IIHSBangalore/Bengaluru89Saiju MohamedArchitectKerala90Samruddhi S ChaphaleArchitect91Sanjana MathurArchitectNew Delhi92Sara AtherArchitectDelhi93Sathyanarayan MarchitectKerala94Satya GopalanArchitectDelhi95Saurabh TewariResearch ScholarKanpur96Selva Prakash MAssistant Professor, Tips Global InstituteChennai97Shabeeb KhaderProject ArchitectUnited States98Shaji TLProfessorTrivandrum99Sharat Sunder RAsst. ProfessorThiruvananthapuram100Shebin GeorgeArchitectthiruvananthapuram101Shikha DoogarPartner, R+D StudioGurgaon102Shitij DograArchitectNew delhi103ShobanaAssistant professorChennai104Shreyasi PalAsst. ProfBangalore105Shridhar RaoArchitectGurgaon106Shyamkumar PArchitectKanhangad107Shyne UHOD, KMEA COACochin108Sinu RaoArchitectJUBAIL,KSA109SmritiAsst. ProfessorDelhi110SobiaConsultant urban plannerBengaluru111Sonal SundararajanPartner, ADRGMumbai112Soumini RajaAsst. Professor, College of Architecture TrivandrumTrivandrum113Soumya ShuklaArchitectDelhi114Sourabh PhadkeArchitectHimachal Pradesh115Sreejith.SLandscape ArchitectThiruvananthapuram116SS KiranUrban Transport PlannerNagpur117Subin Umar RahmanArchitectTrivandrum118Surbhi SinghalArchitectDelhi119Swati JanuArchitectDelhi120Tallulah D SilvaArchitect121Thomas OommenAssociate Professor, Sushant School of Art and ArchitectureDelhi122TM CyriacArchitectTrivandrum123Vaani DuaAsst. ProfessorDelhi124Vandini MehtaArchitectNew Delhi125Vanicka AroraConservation ArchitectGurgaon126Vidhu SaxenaFreelance DesignerNew Delhi127Vishakha JhaArchitect, Urban Development ConsultantMumbai128Vrinda JariwalaAsst. Professor, S.S.A.A., Ansal UniversityDelhi129Zeenat NiaziVice President, Development AlternativesNew Delhi(Back to top.)2. Letter of solidarity for JNU from members of IIT Delhi facultyWe, a group of faculty members from IIT Delhi, are seriously concerned by the events unfolding at JNU and in the national capital over the past few days. A university space is an invitation to think, discuss, argue, debate sometimes heatedly, but always with respect. This respect must extend to ideas one disagrees with. It is only from such an open exchange of ideas that our collective understanding can increase, and knowledge can advance. But it seems that the spaces for such open discussion, of which JNU has always been one, are gradually being closed across the country.We condemn the increasingly narrow definitions of nationalism that are being imposed on the citizens of India and used as instruments for the closing of the Indian mind. We choose to embrace a nationalism which celebrates our plurality as a country, and which is not threatened by dissent and disagreement. We stand with all those who share this vision.(This statement is issued in our individual capacities, and does not represent the institution’s opinion.)Krishna AchutaRao (Centre for Atmospheric Sciences)Sumeet Agarwal (Electrical)Vibha Arora (Humanities and Social Sciences)Amitabha Bagchi (Computer Science)Somnath Baidya Roy (Centre for Atmospheric Sciences)Premachandran Balachandran (Mechanical)Subhashis Banerjee (Computer Science)Varsha Banerjee (Physics)Biswajit Bhattacharjee (Civil)Bijoy Boruah (Humanities and Social Sciences)Arudra Burra (Humanities and Social Sciences)Charusita Chakravarty (Chemistry)Pritha Chandra (Humanities and Social Sciences)Shouri Chatterjee (Electrical)Santanu Chaudhury (Electrical)Divya Dwivedi (Humanities and Social Sciences)Naveen Garg (Computer Science)Arjun Ghosh (Humanities and Social Sciences)James Gomes (School of Biological Sciences)K Hariharan (Mechanical)Samar Husain (Humanities and Social Sciences)Farhana Ibrahim (Humanities and Social Sciences)Ravinder Kaur (Humanities and Social Sciences)Stuti Khanna (Humanities and Social Sciences)Reetika Khera (Humanities and Social Sciences)(Back to top.)3. Statement of solidarity for academic freedom in India (Syracuse University)We, the undersigned at Syracuse University, Colgate University, and SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, are in solidarity with our comrades at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), India against the ongoing anti-democratic actions by the Indian state. We demand an immediate end to the police action against students on campus, and withdrawal of all charges against Kanhaiya Kumar, President of the JNU Students’ Union. We further demand that the Central Government put an immediate end to its prejudiced persecution of student activists on campuses across the country.We strongly believe that the charge of sedition against Kanhaiya Kumar follows spurious claims. This arrest is an excuse for the state to root out dissenting voices on JNU campus, a move towards converting educational institutions like JNU into an arm of the authoritarian state. Attempts of a similar nature have been witnessed recently at other Indian educational institutions such as Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) and Hyderabad University. The growing threat to academic freedom posed by the current political climate is transnational, and extends beyond India to other parts of the world–it is a threat we face here in the United States, too.For any word or action to qualify as being “seditious” under Indian law, it has to directly issue a call to violence. This was not the nature of the protest held by JNU students against the judicial killing of Afzal Guru, who was convicted of an attack on the Indian parliament. The peaceful protest held on February 9 on campus was not unlike other protests convened at the university over the last several decades. Dissent is an essential part of a healthy democracy. We therefore strongly condemn the Indian government’s response to the students’ protests and demand that the state refrain from authoritarian behaviour. In this spirit, we urge the Vice Chancellor of JNU to protect members of the university community and safeguard their democratic rights.Natasha S.K., Social Science, Syracuse UniversityTaveeshi Singh, Social Science, Syracuse UniversityMitul Baruah, Geography, Syracuse UniversitySean Wang, Geography, Syracuse UniversityMiguel Contreras, Geography, Syracuse UniversityManuela Ruiz Reyes, Geography, Syracuse UniversityCarolina Arango-Vargas, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityTina Catania, Geography, Syracuse UniversityLinh Khanh Nguyen, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityJon Erickson, Geography, Syracuse UniversityTom Perreault, Geography, Syracuse UniversityJessie Speer, Geography, Syracuse UniversitySravani Biswas, History, Syracuse UniversityDon Mitchell, Geography, Syracuse UniversityTod Rutherford, Geography, Syracuse UniversityJacquelyn Micieli Voutsinas, Geography, Syracuse UniversitySturdy Knight, Information Studies, Syracuse UniversityJenna Sikka, Sociology, Syracuse UniversityJaisang Sun, Social Science, Syracuse UniversityMadhura Lohokare, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityBrian Dobreski, Information Studies, Syracuse UniversitySujata Bajracharya, Religion, Syracuse UniversityChandra Talpade Mohanty, Women’s and Gender Studies, Syracuse UniversityAlisa Weinstein, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityLi Chen, Mass Communications, Syracuse UniversityTaapsi Ramchandani, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityLaura Jaffee, Cultural Foundations of Education, Syracuse UniversityTula Goenka, Television-Radio-Film, Syracuse UniversityRomita Ray, Art and Music Histories, Syracuse UniversityDorothy Kou, Sociology, Syracuse UniversityKriangsak Terrakowitkajom, Geography, Syracuse UniversitySusan S. Wadley, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityEmily Mitchell-Eaton, Geography, Syracuse UniversityScarlett Rebman, History, Syracuse UniversityMatt Huber, Geography, Syracuse UniversityBrian Hennigan, Geography, Syracuse UniversityParvathy Binoy, Geography, Syracuse UniversityLiz Mount, Sociology, Syracuse UniversityHimika Bhattacharya, Women’s & Gender Studies, Syracuse UniversityJohn Western, Geography, Syracuse UniversityVani Kannan, Composition and Cultural Rhetoric, Syracuse UniversityAni Maitra, Film and Media Studies, Colgate UniversityDiane Swords, Cultural Foundations of Education, Syracuse UniversityAlejandro Camargo, Geography, Syracuse UniversityCecilia Van Hollen, Anthropology, Syracuse UniversityAlexandra Jebbia, Documentary Film & History, Syracuse UniversityDavid Gustavsen, English, Syracuse UniversityMichael Gill, Cultural Foundations of Education, Syracuse UniversityTiago Teixeira, Geography, Syracuse UniversityNimanthi Rajasingham, English, Colgate UniversityKimberly E. Powell, Women’s & Gender Studies, Syracuse UniversitySharon Moran, Environmental Studies, SUNY-ESFAdam Fix, Environmental Studies, SUNY-ESFAlvaro A. Salas, Public Administration, Syracuse UniversityDiane R. Wiener, Division of Student Affairs – Disability Cultural Center, Syracuse UniversityBrett Keegan, Composition and Cultural Rhetoric, Syracuse UniversityJyoti G. Balachandran, History, Colgate UniversityBarbara L. Regenspan, Educational Studies, Colgate UniversityDeborah J. Knuth Klenck, English, Colgate UniversitySuzanne B. Spring, Writing & Rhetoric, Colgate UniversityCristina Serna, Women’s Studies, Colgate UniversityJoel Bordeaux, Religion, Colgate UniversityMark Stern, Educational Studies, Colgate UniversitySusan Thomson, Peace and Conflict Studies, Colgate UniversityKapil Mandrekar, Environmental and Forest Biology, SUNY-ESFJackie Orr, Sociology, Syracuse University(Back to top.)4. In solidarity with JNU: University of Oxford members, alumniWe, the undersigned members and alumni of the University of Oxford, stand firmly in solidarity with fellow students, teachers and scholars at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). We condemn the ongoing persecution of the student community in JNU, in particular the arrest of JNU Students Union (JNUSU) president Kanhaiya Kumar under sedition charges. We protest the use of institutional and state machinery to stifle dissent on campuses, and the attempt to persecute those whose views do not conform to the narrow narratives of ‘nationalism’, ‘nationhood’ and ‘Indian culture’ promoted and endorsed by the ruling party. We view the crackdown in JNU in a continuum with the use of state machinery to clamp down on dissenting views and ideologies on campuses, most prominently at the FTII, Jadavpur University, IIT-Madras and the University of Hyderabad (UoH). We would like to point out that it was a similar witchhunt, backed by state authority, that led to the suicide of Dalit scholar and student leader of the Ambedkar Students’ Association, Rohith Vemula. We also stand in solidarity with the ongoing rally hunger strike at UoH and the struggles of the Joint Action Committee for Social Justice, demanding justice for Rohith Vemula.We are concerned that sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been used to criminalise dissent. University campuses are meant to provide spaces for deliberation and even disagreement; the abuse of the law in order to stifle students’ voices is indicative of an authoritarian state’s attempts to ideologically capture the university space. Further, we believe that Section 124-A of the IPC, which codifies the law on sedition, is fundamentally anachronistic to a democratic state. Even so, for a charge of sedition to be made out, the law requires that violence must necessarily follow subversive speech, which is conspicuously absent in this case.We are distressed by reported violence targeting students, professors and journalists on the premises of the Patiala House Court, both inside and outside the courtroom, on February 15 and 17, 2016. We urge all responsible parties, including the police and court personnel, to fulfill their constitutional duty in ensuring a fair and secure trial. That this happened under the silent watch of the police and other authorities, is indicative of their complicity. We are also concerned about the profiling and vilification of certain students by sections of the media; for instance, the irresponsible media reportage on JNU student Umar Khalid is a grave point of concern.We condemn the continued police presence in the JNU campus. We appeal to the government and police to understand us, first, as a broad spectrum of students, who believe in different ideologies, but come together to demand the right to hold these independent beliefs without the threat of state sanctioned violence. We believe that the idea of India, as a multifarious nation, cannot and must not be held ransom by the hyper-nationalism of a particular group. Protecting the university space, where the critical spirit of questioning is nurtured, must remain of utmost importance to any democratic state. These events have, in effect, become a vicious attack on more than just the freedom of expression, speech and ideation guaranteed to us by the Constitution of India. We admire JNU’s resilience, and we stand with JNU in this moment of crisis, as a mark of our commitment to the freedom of thought and action and in support of the freedom from fear — of the state, surveillance and pernicious political control.Signed,1.Umika Pidaparthy, MSc Social Science of the Internet, 2015-20162.Amrita Sengupta, MSc Social Science of the Internet, 2015-163.Deepa Kurup, MPhil candidate, Oxford Department of International Development4.Baisali Mohanty, MSc Contemporary India, School of Interdisciplinary Area Studies5.Jayesha M. Koushik, MPhil Development Studies, 2015-20176.Divya David, MSc Contemporary India, 2014-157.Yasser Shams Khan, DPhil English, 2015-20198.Mansi Sood, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-169.Gala Pouzanov, MPhil English Studies10.Payaswini Tailor, MPhil Politics, Department of Politics and International Relations11.Sanya Samtani, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201612.Varun Ramesh, MSc. in Contemporary India, 201613.Natasha Maru, MPhil in Development Studies 201614.Padmini Gopal, MSc Contemporary India, 201615.Lipika Kamra, DPhil, Department of International Development16.Sneha Krishnan, DPhil Development Studies, 201517.Tara Greig, DPhil in British History18.Gabriella Crimi, MPhil in Development Studies, 201719.Kalyani Madhura Ramachandran, MPhil Anthropology, 201520.Onaiza Drabu, MSc Social Anthropology, 201621.Niyati Sharma, D.Phil English, 2014-201722.Rumi Pegu, MSc. in Contemporary India, 2015-1623.Yussef Robinson, BA History and Politics24.Jinal Dadiya, Bachelor of Civil Law 2015-1625.Carl Ohman, MSc in Social Science of the Internet, 2015-201626.Sneha Menon, MPhil Economics, 201527.David Adler, MPhil Politics, 201728.Alice Lepeuple, MSc in Political Theory Research, 2015-201629.Gitanjali Keshava, Bachelor of Civil Law 2015-201630.Deniz Duru Aydin, MSc Candidate, 2015-1631.Sonali Chowdhry, Candidate for MPhil Economics, 2015-201732.Harendar Neel, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201633.Aisha Ahmad, MPhil Development Studies, 201734.Lakshmy Venkatesh, MSt Archaeology, 201635.Ashwin Menon, MSc Education, 2015-1636.Challenger Mishra, D.Phil. in Theoretical Physics, 201137.Paris Zhao, Oxford Internet Institute, 201638.Prerna Bakshi, Msc Global Governance and Diplomacy39.Anne Payne, MSt Global & Imperial History 201640.Amit Kumar, D.Phil Candidate Chemistry41.Amba Uttara Kak, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201642.L Molloy, DPhil Social Science of the Internet43.Ashley Pople, MSc in Economics for Development, 2015-201644.Rebecca Byrnes, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201645.Leo Boonzaier, DPhil (Law) student46.Dr Rahul Gandhi, BSc (Neuroscience), MBChB, Member, Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Fulbright Awardee, MBA University of Oxford 2015-1647.Dr. Bhaskar Bhushan, DPhil Organic Chemistry, 2010-201448.Dr. Aakashi Bhatt, MSc Clinical Embryology, 2015-201649.Jose Ignacio Morales, Magister Juris, 2015-201650.Anisha Sharma, DPhil Economics, 2011-1651.Jessica Glennie, MSc Environmental Change and Management, 201552.Shannon Philip, D.Phil International Development53.Leonie Hoffmann, PPE, 201454.Mayanka Mukherji, MPhil in Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology, 201555.Seham Areff, MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy, 2015-201656.Tushar Menon, DPhil in Philosophy57.Natalya Din-Kariuki, DPhil Candidate in English, 201358.Utkarsh Bhatnagar59.Richa Sinha, ECM60.Diptasri Basu, Master of Public Policy, Blavatnik School of Government, 2015-201661.Vimal Balasubramaniam, DPhil (Candidate), Said Business School62.Subhashish Bhadra, M. Phil. In Economics63.Teja Varma Pusapati, D.Phil Student in English64.Neelakshi Tewari, M.Sc. Education, 201565.Fran Green-Armytage, Chemistry66.Geetanjali Sharma67.Rakesh Sharma, DPhil, 200968.Nikhil M. Pandhi, M.Phil Archeology69.Julian Pohl, MPhil in Politics70.Priyanka Mehra, MSc Contemporary India71.Ria Kapoor, D.Phil History, 201572.Charlie Tyson, MSc History of Science, Medicine, and Technology, 201673.Ned Dostaler, MPhil Medical Anthropology, 201574.Deeksha Manchanda, Bachelor of Civil Law, 201375.Martin Pastor, Magister Juris, 201676.Garima Singh, MSc Environmental Change and Management, 2014-1577.Andrew Wheeler, MSc in Economics for Development, 201678.Emile Rolland, Mst. Modern South Asian Studies Postgraduate79.Marlena Valles, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201680.Amogha Varsha, DPhil, 2010-1481.Cannelle Gueguen-Teil, MPhil Development Studies, 2015-1782.Gautam Bondada, D.Phil Archaeology, 2012-1783.Faiza Rahman , Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-1684.Meghan Finn, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-1685.Tyler Overton, MPhil Development Studies, 2015-1686.Manish Kushwaha, D.Phil. Biochemistry, 2006-1087.Aban Haq, MPhil Development Studies, 2015-1788.Abhinav, Bachelor of Business Administration, 2012-1589.Lakshmi Neelakantan, MSc Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation, 2015-1690.Devony Schmidt, MPhil European Politics & Society, 2014-201691.Ellie Marshall, MSc Social Science of the Internet, 2014-201592.Joseph Barrett, MPhil in Economic and Social History, 201793.Chetna Shrivastava, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-201694.Souktik Roy, BA-MMath, 201495.Sai Gourisankar, MSt Global and Imperial History, 201596.Kaushal Vidyarthee, MPhil in Development Studies, 2006-0897.Andrea Wright, MSc Physics 201698.Debasmita Padhi, MSc Economics for Development, 2015-1699.Rachael Midlen, MPhil Development Studies, 2014-2016100.Pavithra Srinivasan, MSc Social Anthropology, 2013-14101.Anders Møller, MPhil Development Studies, 2014-2016102.Sana Moyeen, MPhil Development Studies, 2015-17103.Byron Gray, M.Phil in Social Anthropology, 2012-2014104.Prerna Bakshi, Msc. Global Governance and Diplomacy, 2015-16105.Achas Burin, Dphil, 2015)106.Vincent Wolff Zahner, Master of Public Policy, 2015-16107.Arpita Varghese, MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy, 2015-16108.Shreya Atrey, DPhil (Law), Bachelor of Civil Law, 2011-15109.Garima Jaju, DPhil International Development, 2015-18110.Soumya Mishra, DPhil International Development 2015111.Vasudha Sharma, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-2016112.Anshumali Nilesh, MSc Mathematics and Foundations of Computer Science, 2015-16113.Abhilasha Joshi, DPhil Neuroscience, 2013-2017114.Udit Bhatia, DPhil Political Theory, 2014- 17115.Santanu Bhattacharya, Master of Public Policy, 2015-2016116.Arindam Banerjee, Master of Public Policy, 2015-16117.Faraz Janan, DPhil Engineering, 2014118.Nicholas Letchford, DPhil Mathematics, 2013-2016119.Sunniva Melhuus, MPhil Politics, 2014-16120.Judith Dada, MSc Social Science of the Internet121.Gayathri Balan, Master of Business Administration, 2015-2016122.Dhruti Babariya, DPhil Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2013-17123.Tariq Parker, Msc Neuroscience, 2015-16124.Richard Kendall, MPhil Classical Archaeology, 2014-16125.Kayla Svoboda, MPhil in Development Studies, 2016126.Josephine Mahony, DPhil Environmental Sciences, 2015-2019127.HF Ryan DPhil Archaeology128.Nicole Beardsworth MSc African Studies 2012/13129.Eden Bailey, MSt Musicology, 2015-16130.Shalmalee Ghate MPhil Development Studies, 2016-17131.Anna Baird, Lit Hum BA, 2017132.Md Adil Hossain, DPhil International Development, 2014133.Min Zha, MSc Education, 2015134.Ayush Ranjan, MSc. in Contemporary India, 2015-16135.Indigo Hope Wilde, BFA Fine Art, 2014136.Chandrashekar Madaiah, MSc Physics, 2002-2005137.Arthur (Eirich), MPhil Social Anthropology, 2015-16138.Matthew Eric Garret, MPhil 2015139.Devanshi Shah, CS Exec, B.Com140.Aneil Jaswal, DPhil Public Health, 2016141.Shrochis Karki, DPhil International Development (2011-2015)142.Vanshica Kant (M.St Global & Imperial History, 2013-14)143.Ankita Pandey D. Phil Candidate144.Sa’eed Husaini, DPhil International Development, 2015145.Sahana Ghosh, MPhil Migration Studies, 2008-10146.Aranyani Bhargav, Msc Contenporary India, 2009-10147.Ayudh Reyaz , M.Arch , 2012-17148.Shagun Gupta/MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy/2014-2015149.Zakir Hossain Majumder, Grad Student (PhD), Interdisciplinary Humanities, University of California, Merced150.Dhvani Mehta (Bachelor of Civil Law, 2010; M.Phil Law, 2011; D.Phil Candidate Law)151.Bhumi Purohit, MSc Contemporary India 2014-2015152.Akanksha Awal, D.Phil (Anthropology) 2014153.Swati Janu, MSUD, 2013-15154.Diwita Mathivanan; MA History 2015-Present155.Ratika Yumnam, MSc Contemporary India 2013-2014156.Gayeti Singh (Msc Contemporary South Asian Studies) (2009-10)157.Ankana Das, MA English 2016158.Mezna Qato (DPhil History)159.Nirad Vidrohi/MA, Development, 2015-2017160.VRO Student 2014-2015161.Gael Sirello, VRO BA PPE, 2014-2015162.Sakshi, B.C.L. (2014-15)163.James Nottage, BA History & Politics (2010), MSc Contemporary India (2014)164.Lakshmee Sharma, MSc Social Anthropology 2014-15165.Saurabh Mishra DPhil History (2005-08)166.Fergus Peace, BPhil Philosophy 2015-7167.Konpal Kaur Mphil archaeology 2015-17168.Prerona Prasad, Modern History Department169.Ilunga Mpyana, Master of Public Policy, 2015-2016170.Abigail Desmond, MPhil Archaeology, 2015-2017171.Jaskiran Chohan, MSc Latin American Studies, Latin America Centre, 2013-2014172.Amaal Akhtar, Msc Contemporary India, 2014-15173.Debasmita Deb, PhD student, Women’s Studies, 2013174.Vanya Vaidehi Bhargav, D.Phil History, (2013-)175.Anica Mann-Kapur, Mphil Classical Indian Religion, 2013-15176.Lofred Madzou, MSc in Social Science of the Internet (2015-2016)177.Arijeet Pal (Research Fellow, Theoretical Physics)178.Raag Yadava (MPhil, Law, 2015-16)179.Joe Hayns-Worthington Dphil Anthropology 2011-2016180.Anisha Gururaj, MSc in Global Governance and Diplomacy, 2016.181.Corinne Cattekwaad, Alumni (MSc in Social Science of the Internet) 2014 – 15182.Jem Jones, CAAH Classics, 2013-16183.Amar Sohal (DPhil. History, 2015-18)184.Musab Younis, DPhil International Relations, 2013-16185.Kiran Benipal, Literae Humaniores, 2018-19186.Farheen Ahmed (BA, jurisprudence; 2014-17)187.Dalia Gebrial, MSt. World Literatures, 2015-2016188.Vivian Holmes, MMathPhil Mathematics & Philosophy 2013-17189.Lucy Hirst, BA Classics 2014-2015190.Aliya Yule, PPE, 2017191.Priyanka deSouza MSc Environmental Change and Management 2013192.Madeleine Norman, Classics, 2013-18193.Tim Pfefferle, MSc Global Governance and Diplomacy, Department for International Development, 2016194.T Khaitan, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2004195.Jacob Armstrong BA English and Modern Language (GER), 2014196.Mili Malde, Classics, BA Classics, 3rd year197.Vinayak Uppal MSc. Economics for Development, 2009198.Kate Tunstall, Faculty (Modern Languages)199.Mihika Chatterjee, DPhil, 2015200.Gil Chambers, Materials Science, Department of Materials, 1st201.Arushi Garg, D Phil in Law,202.Yasser Shams Khan, DPhil English, 2015-2019203.Tanyah Hameed, MPhil Comparative Social Policy, Dept of Social Policy and Intervention204.S Iravani, BA. English205.David Bowe, DPhil, Medieval and Modern Languages206.Nils Rochowicz, MPhil Economics 2015207.Sachin Croker, BA English Language and literature, 2013208.Nazmus Tareque, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-16209.Nomfundo Ramalekana, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-2016210.Kristin Grogan, DPhil English, 2014211.Ananthi Al Ramiah, DPhil Experimental Psychology, 2009212.Lindsay Lee (Master of Public Policy 2015)213.Chi Chi Shi, MPhil. Political Theory, 2nd year214.Ndjodi Ndeunyema (Bachelor of Civil Law) 2015/2016215.Divyanshi Chugh (MSc. Comparative Social Policy, Department of Social Policy), Batch 2014-2015216.Simukai Chigudu, DPhil in International Development, 2016217.Felix Binder, DPhil Physics218.Benjamin Abraham, DPhil Public Policy. year 1219.Ela Naegele, MSc. Political Theory, 2014220.Rebecca Dixon, MPhil in Development Studies 2012-2014221.Namratha Rao, DPhil English 2015 – 2018222.Arev Papazian, MPhil. Social Anthropology, 2015-2016223.Sanchari Dutta, DPhil History, 2007224.Aidan Hocking, MSt. Global and Imperial History, 2014-15225.Geoffrey Yeung, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2016226.Marc Shi Msc. Social Policy and Intervention227.Bernard Soubry, M.Phil in Environmental Change and Management, 2015228.Rui Barbosa (Research Assistant, Computer Science)229.Kirti Mahapatra, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2012-13230.Alba Kapoor BA History and Politics231.Kate Nussenbaum, MSc. (Res) Experimental Psychology, 2017232.Emily Blease, MPhil Anthropology233.Simon-Chevarie-Cossette, DPhil. Philosophy, 2014234.Max Harris, Bachelor of Civil Law and Master of Public Policy (2012-2014)235.Samuel Demharter, DPhil Computer Science, 4th year236.Swathi Swaminathan, MSc Psychological Research237.Raphael Chaskalson, MSc in Economic and Social History, 2015/16238.Ritika Tewari, MSc. Global Governance and Diplomacy, 2015239.Sujit Thomas, MPhil Modern British and European History 2012-14240.Ntokozo Qwabe (MSc. African Studies, 2016)241.Eleonora Serra, MSt. Linguistics, year 2013-2014242.Arwa Awan, Visiting Undergrad, History and Politics243.Elizabeth Dann, BA, Medieval and Modern Languages, 3rd year244.Marija Pantelic, DPhil Social Policy and Intervention, 2013245.Vanessa Gerber [MSc Environmental Change & Management]246.Jack Doyle, DPhil History, 2017247.Prateek Jain (Masters of Business Administration, 2016)248.Salmoli Choudhuri, Bachelor of Civil Law, 2015-16249.Ms. Ranu Sinha, M.Phil in Geography and the Environment, Department of Geography and the Environment, October 2014 – 2016250.Vindhya Srinivasamani, Bachelor of Civil Laws, 2012-13251.Anirudh Mathur, BA Hons PPE, 2014252.Anupama Kumar, Bachelor of Civil Law (2013-14) and MSt Archaeology (2014-15)253.Alex Diwa, DPhil Clinical Medicine254.Vikaran Khanna, DPhil. Physics, 2010255.Matt Broomfield, BA English Language & Literature, 2015256.Abhishek Bhattacharyya. B.A. English Language and Literature. Christ Church. Matriculation: 2009.257.Ayyaz Mallick, MBiochem, Alumnus Oriel College258.Sanober Umar, MSc Anthropology and International Development259.Chandrika Prasad Verma, PhD., Centre of Social Medicine and Community Health JNU260.Aditi Vyas, MSc. History of Science, Medicine and Technology, Wellcome Unit for the History of Medicine, 2007261.Marisa Macari, DPhil Anthropology, 2013262.Arbind K Chaudhary263.Shruthi, History, First Year264.Nora Bardelli, DPhil International Development, 2014265.Richard Toppo MSc. Contemporary India 2013266.Sarabe Chan (MA Poverty and Development, IDS) 2015-16267.Alexandra Reza, MPhil. International Relations, 2015268.Kalina Naidoo, Masters by Research in Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, 1st Year.269.Drasko Kascelan, MSc Applied Linguistics and Second Language Acquisition, Department of Education, 2014270.Jess Rahman MSt Women’s Studies271.Ryan Daniels, DPhil Zoology, 2015272.Kate Stewart, BA English, 2nd Year273.Madalina Ciocanu, Anthropology, 2017274.charlotte Linton, Mphil Visual, Material and Museum Anthropology, 2016275.Rosie Fraser BA Spanish and Portuguese First Year276.Nils Karl Reimer, MSc in Psychological Research, 2014277.Shohini Sengupta, MSc in Law and Finance, 2015278.Fadiah Nadwa, Mst International Human Rights Law, 2015279.Crea O’Hanlon MPhil Russian and East European Studies280.Zheng Guan, MSt. Global and Imperial History, 2015/6281.Chris Whitehouse, BA History & Politics, First Year282.Lucy Graham, D.Phil., graduated 2011283.Tyler Journeaux Graham, M.St. Philosophical Theology, Department of Theology and Religion, first year (2015-2016)284.Anwesha Sengupta, MPhil. Modern South Asian Studies285.Sarah Bufkin, DPhil in Politics286.Alex MacFarlane, DPhil Oriental Studies 2019287.Amaal Akhtar, MSc. Contemporary India (2015)288.Jennifer van Leijen-Cowasji Alumni of Utrecht University and the University of East London289.Emma Brunskill-Powell, MSc Comparative Social Policy, 2016290.Shahnawaz Ali Raihan, Dphil in History (2013-16)Student Societies and Institutions291.Rhodes Must Fall292.Corpus Christi College Equal Opportunities Committee293.Oxford University Student Union’s Campaign for Racial Awareness and Equality(Back to top.)5. Statement in support of the teaching and student community of Jawaharlal Nehru University (by Japanese scholars working on India)(This statement is issued in our individual capacities, and does not represent the opinion of any institution.)We, the undersigned members from various educational, research and teaching institutions in Japan are deeply concerned and disturbed by the recent situation in Jawaharlal Nehru University.As a premier institution of learning in the world, JNU has made very significant contributions to teaching and research. It has research collaborations with academic institutions all over the world, and is celebrated as an important and vibrant space for critical thinking and democratic expression. Unfortunately in consequence of recent events these values, collaborations, and the reputation of Jawaharlal Nehru University appear to be under threat.In this difficult hour, we request the Indian government to uphold the freedom of speech that is essential to any national institution of Higher Education and ask that they endeavour to ensure the continued autonomy and functioning of the University.Signatures:Rohan D’Souza, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto UniversityAkio Tanabe, Professor, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto UniversityAya Ikegame, Associate Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of TokyoEtsuro Ishigami, Professor, Faculty of Commerce, Fukuoka UniversityFumiko Oshikawa, Japanese Association of South Asian Studies, Emeritus Professor, Kyoto UniversityKazuya Nakamizo, Associate Professor, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto UniversityInes G. Zupanov, Professor/Director, Centre d’etudes de l’Inde et Asie du Sud (CNRS-EHESS), Paris (currently visiting professor at Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of Tokyo)Jun Obi, Lecturer, The Faculty of Intenational Relations, Daitobunka UniversityAyumu, Yasutomi, Professor, Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia, the University of TokyoKyoko Matsukawa, Associate Professor, Faculty of Letters, Konan UniversityAtsushi Kato, Professor, School of Business, Aoyama Gakuin UniversityTsukasa, Mizushima, Professor, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, Tokyo UniversitySae Nakamura, Research Associate, Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies, Kyoto UniversityYu Sasaki, Independent Scholar.Heiji Nakamura, Emeritus Professor, Tokyo University of Foreign StudiesMari Miyamoto, Newton Fellow, SOAS South Asia Institute, SOASMakiko Kimura, Associate Professor, Department of International and Cultural Studies, Tsuda CollegeKenta Funahashi, Research Associate, Center for the Study of Contemporary India, Ryukoku University(Back to top.)6. Statement of solidarity by Noam Chomsky, Orhan Pamuk, and othersWe have learnt of the shameful act of the Indian government which, invoking sedition laws formulated by India’s colonial rulers, ordered the police to enter the Jawaharlal Nehru University campus and unlawfully arrest a student leader, Mr. Kanhaiya Kumar, on charges of inciting violence –without any proof whatever of such wrongdoing on his part.From the reports of a large number of witnesses and the most highly respected journalists in the country, these are the known facts that no impartial observer denies: In a student meeting, acting well within the rights he possesses by the law of the land, Mr. Kumar spoke critically of the BJP government’s policies. On the previous day, at some other event which he had no part in organising and at which he did not speak, a handful of other students, not even identifiable as students of the university, were shouting slogans about the rights of Kashmiris to independence from Indian military oppression over the last many decades. Mr. Kumar, whose speech (widely available on a video) cannot in any way be connected with the slogans uttered on the previous day, was nonetheless arrested for ‘anti-national’ behaviour and for violating the sedition laws against the incitement to violence. Since there is no evidence to establish these charges, we can only conclude that this arrest is further evidence of the present government’s deeply authoritarian nature, intolerant of any dissent, setting aside India’s longstanding commitment to toleration and plurality of opinion, replicating the dark times of an oppressive colonial period and briefly of the Emergency in the mid-1970s.These actions of the police have brought great dishonour to the government; and the failure of the Vice-Chancellor to speak out against these actions and moreover to allow the suspension of seven other students on charges that have not been established by a fair and transparent inquiry, will bring great dishonour to the most prominent university in the country in the eyes of the academy all over the world.We, the undersigned, take a stand of heartfelt solidarity with the students and faculty of Jawaharlal Nehru University in their efforts to resist these developments on its campus and, in the name of the liberties that India and Indian universities until recently could take for granted, we not only condemn the culture of authoritarian menace that the present government in India has generated, but urge all those genuinely concerned about the future of India and Indian universities to protest in wide mobilisation against it.Signed by:Noam Chomsky, Emeritus Professor of Linguistics and Philosophy, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USAOrhan Pamuk, Nobel Laureate, TurkeyJonathan Cole, Former Provost of Columbia University, USAJudith Butler, Professor of Linguistics, University of California, BerkeleyRichard N. Zare, Professor of Chemistry, Stanford University, USARobert Wade, Professor of International Development, London School of Economics, UKAkeel Bilgrami, Professor of Philosophy, Columbia University, USADimitri Papadimitriou, Director, Levy Institute, Bard College, USAMriganka Sur, Professor of Neuroscience, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USAJan Breman, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Amsterdam University, The Netherlands,Sanat Kumar, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, USASheldon Pollock, Professor of Sanskrit, Columbia University, USABarbara Harriss-White, Emerita Professor of Development Studies, Oxford University, UKPartha Chatterjee, Professor of Anthropology, Columbia University, USA.N. V. Ramana, Professor of Physics, Princeton University, USAJames Galbraith, Professor of Economics, University of Texas at Austin, USACharles Taylor, Emeritus Professor of Philosophy, McGill University, CanadaServaas Storm, Professor of Economics, Delft University of Technology, The NetherlandsArjun Appadurai, Professor of Media, Culture and Communication, New York University, USA.Alicia Puyana Mutis, Professor of Economics, Flacso, Mexico.Robert Pollin, Professor of Economics, University of Amherst at Massachusetts, USAJuan Carlos Moreno Brid, Professor of Economics, Universidad National de Mexico, USAGerald Epstein, Professor of Economics, University of Amherst at Massachusetts, USAPasuk Phongpaichit, Emerita Professor, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok Thailand.Kanti Rai, leading leukemia specialist, USAGauri Vishwanathan, Professor of English, Columbia University, USAHa-Joon Chang, University of Cambridge, UKJennie Traschen, Professor of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USADavid Kastor, Associate Head of Department of Physics, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, USAUgo Pagano, Professor of Economics, Università degli Studi di Siena, ItalyMira Nair, Film DirectorOzlem Onaran, Professor of Economics, University of Greenwich, UKEngelbert Stockhammer, Professor of Economics, University of Bristol, UKGary Dymski, Professor of Applied Economics, University of Leeds, UKArjun Jayadev, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA.Elissa Braunstein, Colorado State University, USAAlicia Giron, Universidad National de Mexico, USADaniele Tori, University of Greenwich, UKPablo Bortz, Universirty of San Martin, Beunos Aires, ArgentinaDaniela Gabor, UWE Bristol, UKAnnina Kaltenbrunner, University of Leeds, UKJ.George Waardenburg, Emeritus professor in development economics at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.Fernando J. Cardim de Carvalho, Emeritus Professor, Federal University of Rio de JaneiroMario Tonveronachi, Università degli Studi di Siena, ItalyJan Kregel, Director of Research, Levy Institute, Bard College, USAThomas Ferguson, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USAMalcolm Sawyer, Emeritus Professor of Economics, University of Leeds, UKThea Harvey-Barratt, Levy Institute, Bard College, USAAmrita Chhachhi, International Institute of Social Studies, The Hague NetherlandsNoemi Levy, Universidad National de Mexico, USAIlhan Dogus, University of Hamburg, GermanyEdward Fullbrook, Executive Director, World Economics AssociationBrendan Burchell, University of Cambridge, UKVamsi Vakulabharanam, Professor of Economics, University of Amherst at Massachusetts, USASripad Motiram, University of Massachusetts at Bosto, USAStefano Zambelli, Universita di Trento, ItalyAndrew B. Tylecote, Emeritus Professor, University of Sheffield, UKJing Cai, University of Aberdeen, ScotlandJulian Wells, Kingston University, UKMehmet Kerem Coban, Lee Kuan Yew Institute of Public Policy, National University of SingaporeAndres Lazzarini, University of San Martin, ArgentinaRadha Upadhyaya, University of Nairobi, KenyaRiccardo Bellofiors, Universita di Bergamo, ItalyCarolina Alves, University of LondonPritam Singh, Oxford Brookes University, UKStephanie Seguino, University of Vermont, USANicolas Pons-Vignon, EHSS, ParisSergio Cesarotto, Universita di Siena, ItalyTomas Rotta, University of Greenwich, UKRobin Blackburn, Cullman Fellow, New York Public LibraryDavid Freedberg, Director, Warburg Institute, University of LondonMario Seccareccia, University of Ottowa, CanadaJens Lerche, University of London, UKKevin Gallagher, Boston University, USAMaria Cristina Marcuzzo, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, ItalyPascal Petit, University of Sorbonne, Paris FranceDeepankar Basu, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, USA.María Cecilia Ainciburu, Università degli Studi di Siena, ItalyEugenia Correa, Universidad Nacional de Mexico, Mexico CityWendy Olsen, Professor of Socio-Economics, University of Manchester, UKRadhika Balakrishnan, Rutgers University, USAEduardo Strachman, Sao Paulo State University, BrazilWesley Colin Marshall, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Iztapalapa, MexicoTrevor Evans, Berlin School of Economics and Law, GermanyTerrence McDonough, National University of Ireland, GalwayRod O’Donnell, University of Sydney, Australia(Back to top.)7. Stanford University extends solidarity to JNUWe, the undersigned students, alumni, and faculty of Stanford University, stand in solidarity with students and faculty of JNU. We strongly condemn the unconstitutional and undemocratic arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar and the continuing police action on the JNU campus. We demand that the government release Kanhaiya Kumar immediately, and drop all charges against him. We demand the cessation of all legal proceedings against Umar Khalid, Rama Naga, Anant Prakash, Ashutosh Kumar and Anirban Bhattacharya, and that they be provided security against the violence of the Hindu Right.During the past week, we followed the state’s use of archaic colonial laws of sedition to clamp down on political dissent. We were dismayed by the JNU administration’s complicity in allowing the police to enter campus and search hostels goes against the autonomy of the university, which was designed precisely to ensure freedom of political dissent. The continuing action by the JNU administration against students reveals their complicity with the Hindu Right. The Indian mass media’s demonisation of student political activity has not only carried and propagated the state’s autocratic brief, but has granted legitimacy to the ensuing violence against students. The subsequent attacks on students and faculty at the Patiala House court by goons dressed as lawyers confirmed the nexus between the state, Hindu Right, and administrative bodies (such as the one at JNU university).The events at JNU are not unique. They are one amongst a series of larger attempts to curb freedoms, by outlawing political organizations including those on campus, as well as slowly undermine central educational institutions which accelerates the shift towards privatisation of education. In Kanhaiya Kumar’s arrest on the ludicrous charge of sedition, we hear echoes of the temporary derecognition of the Ambedkar-Periyar Study Circle at IIT-Madras, and the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula. In those instances too, we saw the presence of the state-Hindu Right-university nexus that curbed political freedom.As our friends at the University of Chicago noted in their solidarity statement, the nationalism advocated by the Hindu Right is predicated on imagining an enemy. “Its political program imagines the citizen as upper caste, heterosexual, male, Hindu; its economic program necessitates a blind faith in neoliberalism; and its social program continually imagines an enemy – the Muslim, the Dalit, the Left.” It is this imagined “enemy” of the Hindu Right that faces the risk of being labelled “anti-national” every time there is political dissent. We protest the actions of the present BJP government because we do not agree with them that only upper-caste heterosexual, Hindu men are entitled to citizenship rights. This is a dire situation for us, the citizens of India, that demands we rally around the specific case of JNU even as we resist the larger project of the Hindu Right. We would do well to bear in mind Kanhaiya Kumar’s reminder that “we don’t need a certificate of patriotism from the RSS.”As students and teachers, we value above all freedom of thought and action. We cherish the space for critical thinking, open discourse and political dissent that universities offer. Opening up room for disagreement and the free flow of ideas is not a by-product of the educational process, but its very essence.We, the undersigned students, alumni, and faculty of Stanford University, stand in solidarity with the students and faculty of JNU.Signed by:Megha Patnaik, PhD Student, Department of EconomicsMayukh Samanta, MS&E alumnus, Class of 2015Jisha Menon, Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Dept. of Theater and Performance StudiesVivek V. Narayan, Graduate Student, Dept. of Theater and Performance StudiesThomas Blom Hansen, Reliance-Dhirubhai Ambani Professor in South Asian Studies and Professor in Anthropology; Director, Stanford’s Center for South AsiaSadhana Senthilkumar, Undergraduate StudentRush Rehm, Professor, Dept. of Theater and Performance Studies, and Classics; and Artistic Director, Stanford Repertory Theater (SRT)Trisha Shetty, Undergraduate StudentShiv Vadivelalagan, Dept. of International Policy StudiesAnunay Kulshrestha, Undergraduate StudentLuladay Price, Undergraduate StudentAnubha Anushree, Dept. of HistoryJapsimran Kaur, Undergraduate StudentMilind Rao, Graduate student, Department of Electrical EngineeringAdeel Arif, MS, MS&E ’12Asha Chigurupati, Stanford Alumnus, Class of 2015Melanie Rodrigues, Postdoctoral Scholar, Department of Surgery(Back to top.)8. Letter of solidarity with JNU students and faculty from professionals, academics and artists in West BengalThe recent forceful and spectacular big-media injunction on debating and ‘intellectualising’ issues of nationhood and its summary recommendation of the strict enforcement of executive police rule as substitute of such debate has probably been etched deep in the minds of many a primetime news-viewer in our country. We, the undersigned, are writing this note to strongly disagree with this unsolicited injunction that seeks to exorcise all oppositional opinion and thus fundamentally imperils the practice of democracy in this country. This attempt at curbing strains of opposition lies also at the heart of the recent chain of reactions of the ruling coalition and the central government to a purportedly “cultural programme” which was to be held at JNU on the 9th of February to publicly discuss the question of Kashmiri self-determination. What follows in this note hopes to vindicate our right but also our duty to hold such oppositional views and presents our claims and demands concerning the recent series of events surrounding JNU. As stated time and again, the intention of the students organising the event of 9th February was to continue the discussions and debates on Kashmir’s political character and on the morality of capital punishment in a civilised nation. We find the alarmism surrounding this event both after and before it was going to be held to be motivated by a sinister design. The sustenance of such debates in the public discourse of the nation-state is of course only to be expected as they were initiated by none other than the founding figures of the nation and the republic – Ambedkar, Gandhi, Tagore and Nehru. The central government’s decades-long policy of governing the region through a draconian law like the AFSPA is at odds with the basic principles of democracy and federalism. But the imposition of AFSPA also by itself draws attention to Kashmir’s specific status within the Indian union. The consequent circumstances of instability and mass discontent in the region provoke us constantly to interrogate the ‘mainstream’ nationalist resolution of the ‘Kashmir question’, especially because ‘Kashmir’ erupts and raises its ‘problematic’ head not so infrequently through news of militancy and militarism in our everyday life. Moreover, when school textbooks of history and political science in India still present Kashmir as a ‘problem’, it should not come as a surprise that the students of a premier university of the nation would also want to engage with this ‘problem’ in their own capacities.In more recent times, no matter what its scale, the tumult in the public sphere after Afzal Guru’s hanging in 2013 re-invoked this already-existing public discourse. More recently, the ultra-nationalist organisations of our country such as the RSS/BJP have made their wish clear many a time to revoke the special status of Kashmir accorded by the article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Historically speaking, this is a view that does not enjoy the unanimous support of even the country’s political elite, let alone the masses, as for instance, Nehru himself repeatedly agreeing to the demand for a referendum on Kashmir. One must in such a situation ask under what circumstances the Indian nation-state acceded to the demand for a referendum on the question of self-determination of Kashmir at different conjunctures. Also, what made it backtrack from such a fundamental enunciation of popular sovereignty as a referendum that has been in wide practice the world over and most recently in United Kingdom and Scotland. Such more immediate circumstances clearly compel us to argue for keeping the debate concerning Kashmir alive in our public life. One may or may not support the Kashmiri demand for self-determination, but we do no doubt that the nation-state must at least acknowledge and accommodate the debates on this issue and has been doing so in certain ways for a long time now. How is it possible then to incriminate as ‘seditious’ the efforts by the concerned students at JNU to retrieve some such apparently forgotten questions of our democracy and rearticulate them in the current context of majoritarian assertions all over the nation?We thus opine that the concerned JNU students were trying nothing exceptional but to continue to practice critical thinking about these problems inherent in the foundational structures of the nation-state in the form of a public programme. We affirm strongly both their rights as well as their intentions in doing so.What seems to have become inextricably entangled with this latest version of public engagement with the ‘Kashmir debate’ is the problem of branding the ‘anti-national’. Not the greatest retrospection is required to perceive that this impromptu classificatory schema is of course not limited to debating the Kashmir issue. It goes well beyond that and has been shown in reports and opinions circulating about JNU to include beef-eating, ‘queer’ sexualities, dalit forms of worship, secular atheist thinking, advocacy of tribal rights and myriad other things. Such practices and opinions are being termed ‘anti-national’ even as the government seeks to allot and sell substantial national resources to big multi-national corporations and while the ruling party’s allies celebrate the spirit of Nathuram Godse, the murderer of the ‘Father of the Nation’. The only ‘national’ or the ‘nationalist’ permitted and promoted by the ruling ideology of the BJP/RSS is the patriarchal-Brahmanical-upper class and all other forms which do not subscribe to this ideology are to be labelled, hunted, surveilled and ‘put down’ as ‘anti-nationals’ or even ‘terrorists’. The BJP leader who has been seen on camera thrashing and abusing the JNU professors and journalists at the Patiala Court, has justified his actions as ‘teaching a strict lesson to the anti-nationals’ and argued that the ‘anti-nationals’ should not only be beaten up, but there is no harm in killing them too! We condemn such heinous statements and provocations to mob-violence against the critics of the BJP/RSS and the current central government. To us, these statements seem more than empty threats at a time when M.M. Kalburgi, Gobind Pansare, Narendra Dabholkar, Rohith Vemula and Soni Sori – all faces of dissent – have indeed been murdered or harmed by ‘nationalist’ saffron terrorists. It then seems quite apparent to us that the use of the term ‘anti-national’ is the highest point of a frantic drive for Brahmanical cultural homogenisation of the nation by the BJP/RSS/ABVP. All difference and even the minimal articulation of dissent are now gradually being brought into the ambit of the ‘anti-national’ category. Added to this is the categorical denial of evidence and information rights by the highest offices of the country that is making ‘anti-national’ a surprisingly self-evident category beyond any interpretation. Thus the Home Ministry, in direct collusion often with certain big media channels has been of late firing a battery of baseless charges against university students most irresponsibly. This is lending further legitimacy and incitement to the quite well-organised mobocracy of the extended Sangh Parivar. The latter is quite easily finding further inspiration to disrupt essential legal procedures in courts and deal with ‘anti-nationals’ as they deem ‘fit’. This tactic of intimidation is duplicated by none other than the law enforcing agency i.e. the police. It is little wonder then that the National Human Rights Commission has already found out that a written statement made by Kumar in court was produced under pressure from the police. This brings back memories of Afzal Guru’s own confession that is claimed by some to have been extracted under duress by law enforcement. In such circumstances, we would like to register our strong criticism of the most conceited ideological use of the term ‘anti-national’ in media and by the state to imbue images, videos and information with an immediacy of a judgment, thoroughly unfounded in most cases and leading up to direct forms of intimidation of dissenters with exemplary impunity. Within this kind of conceited use of the term ‘anti-national’ is embedded once again, an urgency to dismantle precisely those very pillars of public debate that lend strength to our democratic system and culture.Recent events at JNU have also compelled us to contemplate on a much bigger question. For the Delhi police, a section of media, BJP/RSS – both the government executives and party leaders – and ABVP the act of organising a debate on Afzal Guru’s hanging in itself is an ‘anti-national’ act because it ‘questioned’ the decision finalised by the Supreme Court, the highest judicial body of the nation-state. In this context, we ask the following: Is having a difference of opinion with the apex court necessarily a ‘contempt of court’ even in strictly legal terms? Can such differing opinion be branded as ‘anti-national’ simply by way of its divergence from the court’s views? In a democracy, shouldn’t there be a space for debate on court verdicts too? Is it ‘anti-national’ or ‘anti-judiciary’ to extend the discourse on ‘justice’ beyond the immediate surroundings and formal networks of the judiciary? Does contemplating ‘justice’ in other forms and outside the arena of state-institutions always present a threat to ‘national sovereignty’ and are therefore to be declared ‘treason’? In the context of increasing acts of ‘media trials’ orchestrated and ‘popular justice’ delivered, we want to strongly affirm that discussions and dialogues on the notion of ‘justice’, especially in respect to the question of ‘minority aspirations’, is utmost crucial for the future life of our democracy. All acts of ‘vengeance’ in the name of ‘justice’ must be condemned. Many eminent lawyers, scholars, Human Rights and civil society activists and Muslim clerics have questioned the gaping holes in the trial and appeal process of Afzal Guru as well as the gross violation of his constitutional rights and due legal processes in carrying out the punishment. One must not also forget here the absurdities of the present-day coalition politics of our nation: the so-called ‘nationalist’ BJP, which in Delhi is gunning for strong actions against the JNU students who organised the event in commemoration of the death of Afzal Guru and branding them ‘anti-nationals’, is in fact in an alliance with PDP in the Kashmir state assembly, the party which too eulogises Afzal Guru as a Kashmiri martyr! One must also take note of BJP’s silence on the issue of Balwant Singh Rajoana’s capital punishment – the Khalistani separatist who is accused for the 1995 assassination of the Punjab CM Beant Singh – against which another ally of them, the Akali Dal has already appealed!We would like to further claim that the Judicial Process in India does not necessarily invite any kind of obvious foreclosure in its institutional functioning. Instead it fosters the potential for a certain degree of latitude in terms of appeals and amendments that are themselves co-dependent on the state of public debate in the country. We may debate on the most acceptable form of these debates or the style of their utterances, but we must never support the acts of forceful and even militarised suppressions or any kind of policing of them by the super-active executive with its totalitarian aspirations. These debates, we believe, aid in the process of strengthening institutions, procedures and meanings of justice. And it is in re-invoking this spirit of debate that we would want to register our own belief, however ‘fringe’ or ‘marginal’ that might sound: We are against the capital punishment – we do not think that a modern, civilised nation-state should have any legal right to kill its citizen, even if s/he is found to be engaged in ‘anti-national’ activities.We want to also pose here one last important question thrown up by the events of the last few days – How can a nation-state ‘progress’ if it doesn’t keep amending its constitution according to changing circumstances and the demands of time and people? And how is that even possible without questioning the tenets of the existing constitution? Does that amount to being ‘anti-constitutional’? Then how is any change possible without being ‘anti-constitutional’ or ‘anti-national’? If so, aren’t many of the leaders of the ruling party also anti-nationals in as far as they want to revoke the special autonomous status of Kashmir granted by the Article 370 or argue in the parliament against the validity of the word ‘secular’ in Indian constitution as a descriptive character of the Indian nation-state. Leaving this question open here, let us clearly state our demands made in solidarity with the protesting teachers and students of JNU:Revoke all cases of sedition or otherwise against all students of JNURevoke all disciplinary procedure and action against all students of JNURestore normalcy for students living in JNU and outsideStop the witch-hunt of innocent students of Kashmiri and minority descent in Delhi and outsidePriyankar Dey, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaRitam Sengupta, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaSayantan Saha Roy, University of ChicagoRitajyoti Bandyopadhyay, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaIman Mitra, Mahanirban Calcutta Research GroupAnwesha Sengupta. Mahanirban Calcutta Research Group and Jawaharlal Nehru UniversitySabyasachi Deb, WriterRatna Deb, Retired school-teacherAsokendu SenguptaRanabir Samaddar, Mahanirban Calcutta Research GroupPaula Banerjee, University of Calcutta and Mahanirban Calcutta Research GroupMoushumi Bhowmik, Singer and writerNeogi Sengupta, Barasat Government CollegeUpal Chakrabarti, Presidency UniversitySwati Chatterjee, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaVikas Kumar Moola, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaUday Bhanu Saini, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaArunima Chakraborty, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaRicha Gupta, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaChesta Arora, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaRukmini Chakraborty, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaAnurupa Bhowmick, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaTony Kurian, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaSantosh Sakhinala, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaRajashree Bhattacharya, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaDebajyoti Mondal, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaKoyel Lahiri, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaRohan Basu, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaPraskanva Sinharay, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaAnkur Tamuli Phukan, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, CalcuttaArup Kumar Sen, Serampore CollegeSubhadeep Sarker, Serampore CollegeJishnu Dasgupta, Serampore CollegeDebajyoti Banerjee, Serampore CollegeSankha Das, Serampore CollegeMoumie Banerjee, Serampore CollegeMonideepa Bhattacharjee, Serampore CollegeSamik Ray, Serampore CollegeArindam Dutta, Taki Government CollegeShubhankur Ghosh, PhotographerShan Bhattacharya, ResearcherAntara Ray, Graphic designerMimasa Pandit, St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission CollegeKaustubh Mani Sengupta, Bankura UniversityShrimoy Roy Chowdhury, Shiv Nadar UniversityAnandaroop Sen, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityTwisha Deb, PhotographerRonny Sen, PhotographerArka Chattopadhyay, University of West SydneyAbhimanyu Kar, IIT KharagpurManjira Sinha, IIT KharagpurSamata Biswas, Haldia Government CollegeShinjini Basu, Sir Gurudas MahavidyalayaDebaditya Bhattacharya, Nibedita CollegeBhaskar Chaudhuri, Serampore CollegeNilanjan Chatterjee, Serampore CollegeSaubhik Dasgupta, Serampore CollegePatrali Sinha, Serampore CollegeSharmita Dhar, Serampore CollegeSuman Dutta, Serampore CollegeBidyut Banerjee, Serampore CollegeMadhurilata Basu, Presidency UniversityRupsa Ray, Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta and journalistTista Das, West Bengal Education Service Saubhik Bandyopadhyay, West Bengal Education Service(Back to top.)9. Statement from academicians in GujaratWe, members of the academic community of Gujarat, are extremely disturbed by the recent events in Jawaharlal Nehru University and the developments thereafter. We feel worried about the emerging dangers against the right to dissent and freedom of speech.We believe that the disturbances in JNU including slogans against India could have been easily avoided without the moral policing by political forces. The demonstrations could have been patently handled by the vice chancellor – if necessary by setting up an internal committee to investigate. We firmly believe that the freedom of academic institutions is an essential condition for knowledge promotion and sharpening discourses, as academic institutions of higher learning are the embodiment of thought, science, creativity, knowledge and critique, and there cannot be an upfront limitation on their power to think and express. This freedom should not have been violated by the government or any outside forces.We are shocked to watch the behaviour of the lawyers, who took the law in their hands and attacked students, teachers, journalists and even Supreme Court Panel members. Equally shocking was the behaviour of the Delhi Police, who supported lawyers by watching it as mute spectators. The misuse of the sedition law and outright violence of lawyers worry us, as they signal a great danger to our human rights and democratic values.We demand impartial inquiry into the events that have taken place in JNU and in the Patiala House Court and punishment to the guilty when necessary. We want that the right to speech and the right to dissent are ensured to all citizens of our country. Nationalism evolves gradually with the progress in democracy and growth of egalitarian society; and we believe that its interpretation should not be left to political parties. At the same time, free discussion on nationalism particularly in academic institutes must be encouraged. Signed by:Members of academic community of Gujarat (Date: February 22, 2016)Sr.No.DesignationNameWorking atLocation1Prof.AKASH ACHARYACenter for Social StudiesSurat2Dr.MUNISH ALAGHSardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social ResearchAhmedabad3Prof.DINESHAWASTHISardar Patel Institute of Economic and Social ResearchAhmedabad4Prof.RAKESH BASANTIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad5Dr.GUARI BHARATCEPT UniversityAhmedabad6Mr.ARUP LAL CHAKRABORTYIndian Institute of TechnologyGandhinagar7Mr.ATANUCHATTERJEECenter For Development AlternativesAhmedabad8Prof.KESHAB DASGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad9Ms.JIGNA DESAICEPT UniversityAhmedabad10Prof.KIRAN DESAICenter for Social StudiesSurat11Dr.RENU DESAICEPT UniversityAhmedabad12Prof.ERROL D’SOUZAIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad13Dr.SWETAGARGDhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication TechnologyGandhinagar14Dr.AMRITA GHATAKGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad15Prof.SRUBABATI GOSWAMIPhysical Research LaboratoryAhmedabad16Prof.INDIRA HIRWAYCenter For Development AlternativesAhmedabad17Prof.SUDARSHAN IYANGARAhmedabad18Prof.SADAN JHACetre For Social StudiesSurat19Dr.KISHOR JOSECentral University, GandhinagarGandhinagar20Prof.SATYAKAM’JOSHICenter for Social StudiesSurat21Dr.RUTUL JOSHICEPT UniversityAhmedabad22Prof.RITA KOTHARIIndian Institute of TechnologyGandhinagar23Dr.PRIYA RANJAN KUMARCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar24Dr.SHAILENDRA KUMARCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar25Dr.RINAKUMARICentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar26Dr.SONY KUNJAPPANCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar27Dr.DARSHINI MAHADEVIACEPT UniversityAhmedabad28Prof.NITI MEHTAAhmedabad29Dr.RUDRA MAVAYAN MISHRAGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad30Dr.ATULMISHRACentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar32DrAMISHAL MODIDhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication TechnologyGandhinagar33Dr.SIBA SANKAR MOHANTYCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar34Mr.NAHAR MOHHAMEDCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar35Prof.SEBASTIAN MORRISIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad36Prof.TARA NAIRGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad37Prof.R. PARTHASARATHYGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad38DrArjun PatelCenter for Social StudiesSurat39Dr.JHARNA PATHAKGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad40Dr.MINAL PATHAKCEPT UniversityAhmedabad41Dr.ITISHREE PATTNAIKGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad43Prof.K. R. RAMANATHANPhysical Research LaboratoryAhmedabad44Prof.RAGHVANRANGARAJANPhysical Research LaboratoryAhmedabad45Dr.ANIL KUMAR ROYCEPT UniversityAhmedabad46Prof.C N RAYCEPT UniversityAhmedabad47Dr.DHANANJAY RAICentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar48Dr.ADITI NATHSARKARDhirubhai Ambani Institute of Information and Communication TechnologyGandhinagar49MsSHACHI SANGHAVICEPT UniversityAhmedabad50Prof.AMITA SHAHCenter For Development AlternativesAhmedabad51Prof.GHANSHAYAM SHAHCenter for Social and Development StudyAhmedabad52Ms.NEHA SHAHL J Institute of managementAhmedabad53Prof.SHRUTI SHARMAIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad54Prof.SUKHPALSINGHIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad55Ms.MELISSA SMITHCEPT UniversityAhmedabad56Ms.POOJA SUSANTHOMASAhmedabad57Prof.JEEMOL UNNIInstitute of Rural Management, AnandAnand58Prof.PURNIMA VERMAIndian Institute of ManagementAhmedabad50Dr.P K VISHWANATHANGujarat Institute of Development ResearchAhmedabad60Dr.UMESH YADAVCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar61DrHEMANT KUMARCentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar62MsA ANUPAMACentral University GandhinagarGandhinagar63DrKHAIKHOLEN HAOKIPCentral University, GandhinagarGandhinagar64DrBERYL ANANDCentral University, GandhinagarGandhinagar65DrTULIKA TRIPATHICentral University, GandhinagarGandhinagar(Back to top.)10. Canadian academics stand with JNU and student struggles in IndiaWe, the undersigned, faculty and students at universities across Canada, wish to express our solidarity with the ongoing student struggle at Jawaharlal Nehru University in Delhi, India. In doing so, we wholeheartedly condemn the extra-constitutional detention of the JNU Students’ Union leader Kanhaiya Kumar and seven other students on February 9, 2016. Universities should be places of academic freedom where dissent and critical thinking must not only be tolerated but should be actively encouraged. The students who have been charged with sedition (a colonial-era relic that the Supreme Court of India itself has attempted to weaken) for questioning the Indian state’s controversial execution of Afzal Guru, the man accused in the attack on the Indian Parliament in 2001, breached no law, and are being illegally detained. Credible news reports from India’s leading television channels and newspapers have confirmed that the police action, and subsequent occupation of the university by police, was spurred on by the right-wing students group, the ABVP, that seems to have a direct line of influence with the ruling BJP in central government.Since the February 9 incident, other students and faculty of JNU have been intimidated and beaten up, and journalists have been threatened and assaulted. Further exacerbating the attacks, on 15 February 2016, JNU students and faculty, along with at least ten journalists, were violently attacked by lawyers and a legislator from the ruling party when they were peacefully attending court in support of Kanhaiya Kumar’s hearing. All of this amounts to one of the most concerted and vicious projects of undermining not just one of India’s leading universities, but of creating a widespread culture of intolerance and state-sanctioned violence and orchestrating an assault on public education. The attack on JNU comes on the heels of what is being termed the institutional murder of Rohith Vemula, a dalit student at the University of Hyderabad, and the concerted attacks on dalit students there, also in the name of a manufactured patriotism in which any questioning of the state’s role in entrenching caste and class hegemony is rendered “anti-national”.We want to assure the students, staff and faculty of JNU that they are not alone in their struggle. At Canadian universities, we are part of a growing global movement that seeks to condemn and resist the vicious attack on democratic norms, academic freedom and political dissent at JNU and in other universities globally.(If you wish to add your name to this statement of support, please post a comment with your name, affiliation and location. We will update the post as more signatures come in. Thank you.)1 Jayeeta Sharma, Associate Professor, University of Toronto2 Rachel Berger, Associate Professor, Concordia University, Montreal QC Canada3 Ishita Pande (JNU, 1999), Queen’s University, KIngston4 Natalie Rothman, University of Toronto5 Deborah Cowen, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto6 Ajay Rao, Associate Professor, University of Toronto7 Prashant Keshavmurthy, Professor, Institute of Islamic Studies, McGill University, Montreal8 Dr. Kristine Alexander, the University of Lethbridge9 Raju J Das, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto10 Andrea Marion Pinkney, McGill University, Montreal, QC11 Rupinder Minhas, York University, Toronto12 Rianne Mahon, Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada13 Rabea Murtaza, Toronto14 Nhung Tuyet Tran, University of Toronto15 Sara Saljoughi, English & Cinema Studies, University of Toronto16 Katharine N. Rankin, University of Toronto17 Daniel White, Professor of English, University of Toronto18 Margrit Eichler, Professor Emerita, OISE/UT19 Lynne Viola, University Professor, University of Toronto20 Bettina von Lieres, Centre for Critical Development Studies, UTSC21 Prasad Khanolkar, University of Toronto, Canada22 Chandler Davis, University of Toronto, Toronto23 Francis Cody, University of Toronto, Toronto24 Bhavani Raman, University of Toronto, Toronto25 Neilesh Bose, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, CANADA26 Natalie Zemon Davis, University of Toronto, Toronto27 Jens Hanssen, Depts of History and NMC, Toronto28 Alejandro Paz, Anthropology, University of Toronto29 Anup Grewal, University of Toronto30 Dia Da Costa, University of Alberta31 Rosa Sarabia, University of Toronto32 Tong Lam, University of Toronto, Canada33 Malini Guha, Carleton University34 Laura Toth35 Nicholas Sammond, University of Toronto, CANADA36 Sanjeev Routray, University of British Columbia, Vancouver37 Michael Lambek, FRSC, Professor of Anthropology, University of Toronto38 Richard Roman, Sociology, Emeritus, University of Toronto, TORONTO39 Dharashree Das, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby40 Samar Nour, PhD Candidate, University of Toronto, Canada41 Kari Dehli, Professor Emerita, University of Toronto42 Katherine Blouin, University of Toronto, Toronto43 Meghana Rao, University of Toronto44 Kanishka Goonewardena, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto45 Kajri Jain, University of Toronto46 Sheila L. Cavangh, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto, Canada.47 Ruth Marshall, Associate Professor, Political Science, University of Toronto48 Renisa Mawani, Associate Professor, University of British Columbia49 Sara Shneiderman, University of British Columbia, Vancouver50 Meenal Shrivastava, Professor Political Economy and Global Studies, Athabasca University51 Sherene Razack, Professor, University of Toronto52 Andrea Muehlebach, Associate Professor, Department of Anthropology, University of Toronto, Canada53 Alexandre Da Costa, university of Alberta, Canada54 Leslie Orr, Professor, Concordia University, Montreal55 Ju Hui Judy Han, Assistant Professor in Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto56 Parnisha Sarkar, PhD candidate, University of Toronto57 Richard Sandbrook, Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Toronto58 Kate Holland, Associate Professor, Dept of Slavic Langs and Lits, University of Toronto59 Denise Reaume, Faculty of Law, University of Toronto, Canada60 Michelle Murphy, History, University of Toronto61 Charles Chiu62 Elena Razlogova, Concordia University, Montreal63 Roberta Buiani , University of Toronto64 Firoza Elavia, York University, Toronto65 Jack Quarter, University of Toronto66 Amandeep Kaur Panag, York University, Toronto67 Rajyashree N Reddy, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toronto68 Carla Nappi, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC69 Vasuki Shanmuganathan, University of Toronto, Canada70 Omar Sirri, PhD student, University of Toronto – Toronto, Canada71 Sikata Banerjee, University of Victoria72 Ozlem Aslan, University of Toronto, Toronto73 David Seitz, Lecturer, University of Toronto74 Nestor E. Rodriguez, Associate Professor, University of Toronto75 D. Alissa Trotz, University of Toronto, Toronto76 Reeju Ray, University of Western Ontario77 Naisargi N. Dave, Associate Professor, Anthropology, University of Toronto78 Anne-Emanuelle Birn, Professor, University of Toronto79 Emily Gilbert, University of Toronto, Canada80 Sam Walker, PhD Candidate, University of Toronto81 Neera Singh, University of Toronto82 Sevi Bayraktar, PhD student, University of California, Los Angeles83 Professor Jody Berland, York University, Toronto, Canada84 Bianca Dahl, University of Toronto85 Shyam Ranganathan, Department of Philosophy, York University, Toronto86 Christopher Webb, University of Toronto, Canada87 Greg Albo, Political Science, York University, Toronto88 Jaby Mathew, University of Toronto, Toronto89 Justin GD, York University, Toronto90 Shubhra Gururani, Associate Professor, Anthropolgy, York University, Toronto91 Alan Sears, Sociology, Ryerson University, Toronto92 Andre Sorensen, Professor, University of Toronto Scarborough93 Arsalan Kahnemuyipour, Associate Professor of Linguistics, University of Toronto94 Elizabeth Brule, York University, Toronto95 Rahul Varma, playwright96 Genevieve Mercier-Dalphond, McGill University, Montreal Canada97 Zain R. Mian, McGill University, Montreal QC98 Adrian Murray, University of Ottawa99 Teresa Hubel, Huron University College, London, Ontario, Canada100 Parastou Saberi, University of Toronto Scarborough, Toronto101 Jennifer Chun, Sociology, University of Toronto Scarborough102 Pasha M. Khan, McGill University, Montreal103 Elliot Montpellier, McGill University104 Tayyaba Jiwani, University of Toronto105 Kevin Coleman, University of Toronto, Canada106 Catherine Larouche, McGill University, Montreal, Canada107 Nadir Khan, Law Student at McGill University, Montreal, Quebec108 Meghant Sudan, Concordia University, Montreal109 Yves Winter, McGill University, Montreal110 Gavin Smith, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto111 Qamar Zaidi, York University, Canada.112 Dominik Wujastyk, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada113 Sanchia deSouza, University of Toronto, Toronto114 Prasanta Dhar, Dept of History, University of Toronto115 Jennifer Glassco, PhD Candidate in Anthropology, McGill University, Montreal116 Sergio Arcaro Centennial College Toronto Ontario Canada117 Nishant Upadhyay, York University, Mississaugas of New Credit Territories (Toronto)118 Joel Dickau, University of Toronto, Canada119 Ponni Arasu, Graduate Student, Department of History, University of Toronto.120 Piyusha Chatterjee, Concordia University, Montreal121 Apurva Ashok, BA Student, McGill University.122 Rebecca Coulter, PhD, Professor Emerita, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada123 Maya Khankhoje, former student at Concordia University/McGill University, Montreal.124 Kiran Mirchandani, University of Toronto, Canada125 Dr. Dylan Clark, Lecturer, The Asian Institute, University of Toronto (Canada)126 Joseph H. Carens, Professor of Political Science, University of Toronto127 Mohamad Tavakoli, University of Toronto128 Michael Nijhawan, York University, Toronto129 Holly Gilmour, Oshawa, Ontario130 Jordy Cummings, York University, Toronto131 Zaheer Baber, Professor, Department of Sociology, University of Toronto132 Ayyaz Mallick, PhD student, York University Canada133 Mostafa Abedinifard, MacEwan University, Edmonton134 Michael Truscello, Associate Professor, Mount Royal University135 Jennifer Nedelsky, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Toronto, Canada136 Rupaleem Bhuyan, Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Work, University of Toronto137 Akshaya Tankha, Doctoral Candidate, University of Toronto138 Colin J Campbell, OCAD University, Toronto, Canada139 Justin Podur, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto140 Kanta Murali, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto141 Poulami Roychowdhury, McGill University, Montreal142 Pierre-Alexandre Paquet, PhD Student and Lecturer, McGill University143 Sailaja Krishnamurti, York University, Toronto144 Nick Tosaj, University of Toronto145 Nick McGee, University of Toronto, Toronto ON146 Anil Varughese, Assistant Professor, Carleton University, Ottawa147 Chandrima Chakraborty, Associate Professor, McMaster University, Hamilton148 Katherine Lemons, McGill University, Montreal149 Noa Shaindlinger, PhD Candidate, University of Toronto150 Jessica Stilwell, McGill University, Montreal151 Reena Shadaan, PhD Candidate, York University152 Mary Louise Adams, Queen’s University, Canada153 Sadeqa Siddiqui, Montreal Canada154 Dhruv Jain, York University, Toronto, Canada155 Ashutosh Kumar156 Emma Alexander, University of Winnipeg, Winnipeg157 Andrew Ivaska, Associate Professor of History, Concordia University, Montreal158 Chiara Letizia, UQAM, Montreal, Canada159 Holly Gilmour, Oshawa, Ontario160 Elise Chenier, Professor, Simon Fraser University161 Edward Dunsworth, University of Toronto, Canada162 Chandan Narayan, York University163 Kajri Jain, University of Toronto, Toronto164 Sandeep Banerjee, McGill University165 Charles Stankievec, University of Toronto, Canada166 Naomi Nagy, University of Toronto167 R.Cheran, University of Windsor, Canada168 LM Ishiguro, University of British Columbia, Vancouver169 Katie Davis, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON170 Daniel Bender, Historical and Cultural Studies, University of Toronto-Scarborough171 Radhika Mongia, York University, Toronto172 Kristin Bright, Carleton University, Ottawa Canada173 Kevin A. Gould, Concordia University, Department of Geography, Planning and Environment174 Jamie Magnusson, U of Toronto, Canada175 Mona Luxion, PhD Candidate, McGill University (Montreal); visiting scholar at CEPT University and IIM Bangalore176 Ken MacDonald, Dept. of Geography, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON177 Diane Shea, Dawson College, Montreal178 David Morris, Concordia University, Montreal179 Miriam Diamond, Professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto180 Michael Ekers, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto181 Luin Goldring, York University, Toronto, Canada182 Katherine Bischoping, Department of Sociology, York University, Toronto183 Punam Khosla, York University184 Nancy Jackson, Vancouver BC. Associate Professor Emerita, University of Toronto185 Penni Stewart, York University, Toronto186 Nancy Mandell, Professor, Sociology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada187 Hyun Ok Park, Associate Professor of Sociology, York University, Toronto188 Margaret E. Beare, York University, Toronto189 Shubhra Gururani, Associate Professor, York University190 Sophie Voegele, York University Toronto, Canada and Zurich University of the Arts ZHdK, Switzerland191 Mark Thomas, Department of Sociology, York University, Toronto, Canada192 Amber Gazso, York University, Canada193 Elizabeth Lunstrum, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto, Canada194 Kathryn Barber, York University195 Azar Masoumi, York University, Canada196 Melanie Balfour, PhD student, History department, University of Toronto197 Gokboru S. Tanyildiz, PhD Student, Sociology, York University, Canada198 Michael Ornstein, Sociology, York University199 Diana Abraham, York University200 David McNally, Professor of Political Science, York University, Toronto, Canada201 Matt Jones, University of Toronto202 Benjamin Christensen, PhD Candidate, York University203 Pauline O’Connor, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada204 Walter Whiteley, York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada205 Nalini Persram, York University, Canada206 Pallavi V Das, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay207 Honor Ford-Smith, Associate Professor, Faculty of Environmental Studies, York University, Toronto, Canada208 Tina Virmani, Humber College, Toronto209 Erin Runions, a Canadian in the U.S. (Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Pomona College, California)210 Danijel Matijevic, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario211 Peter Vandergeest, York University, Toronto212 Perry Maddox, McGill University213 Daniel Yon, Associate Professor, Dept. of Anthropology and Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto.214 Miguel Gonzalez, York University215 Zoe Newman, Toronto, Canada216 Karen Anderson, Associate Professor, York University Canada217 Malcolm Blincow, Anthropology, York University (Retired)218 Mark Goodman, Department of Sociology, York University219 Eric Clark, professor, Lund University, Sweden220 Gizem Cakmak, York University (Toronto, Canada)221 Dr. Alex Latta, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON222 Max Haiven, Assistant Professor, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design223 Girish Daswani, University of Toronto, Canada224 Sima Aprahamian, Ph.D. Simone de Beauvoir Institute225 Alexandra L., University of Toronto226 Lorna Erwin, Associate Professor, York University227 Prof.Emeritus, Meyer Brownstone, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario Canada228 Colleen Bell, Assistant Professor, University of Saskatchewan229 Gulay Kilicaslan, York University, Toronto, Phd Student at Sociology230 Bonita Lawrence, Department of Equity Studies, York University231 Duygu Gul Kaya, York University, Toronto232 Soma Chatterjee, School of Social Work, York University, Toronto233 Rana Sukarieh, Phd candidate, Sociology department, York University234 Paul Kingston, Associate Professor Political Science, university of Toronto235 Matthew Rowlinson, English and Centre for Theory and Criticism, Western University236 Harry Smaller (Ph.D), Faculty of Education, York University, Toronto237 Pablo Idahosa, York Univetsity238 Lily Cho, York University, Toronto239 Tariq Amin-Khan, Ryerson University, Toronto240 Himani Bannerji241 Anwesha Ghosh, University of Toronto, Toronto242 David L. Robinson, University of Toronto243 Natalie Kouri-Towe, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON244 Carlota McAllister, York University, Toronto, Canada245 Sara Carpenter, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada246 Liette Gilbert, York University, Toronto247 Amir Hassanpour, Associate Prof (Ret.), University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada248 Lorna Weir, York University, Toronto, Canada249 Stephen Slemon, Professor of English & Film Studies, University of Alberta250 Stephen Rockel, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada251 Anna Zalik, York University, Canada252 Joan Simalchik, University of Toronto Mississauga253 Emily Zimmermann, York University MA student, North York, On254 Monica Espaillat Lizardo, University of Toronto255 Hyun Ok Park, Associate Professor of Sociology, York University, Toronto256 Barbara Evans, Department of Cinema and Media Studies, York University, Toronto257 Karen Murray, York University258 Marcia Macaulay, York University, Toronto, Canada259 Eric Mykhalovskiy, Associate Professor, York University260 Ranu Basu York University261 Dr. Barbara Heron, Professor, School of Social Work, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada262 Prof. Sam Lanfranco, York University, Canada263 Deborah Brock, York University, Toronto264 Prof. Ian Radforth, Department of History, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada265 Teresa Abbruzzese, York University, Toronto, Canada266 Louis Lefeber, Professor of Economics, York university, Toronto, Canada267 Leigh Denholm, York University, Canada.268 Prof. Aryn Martin, York University, Toronto ON Canada269 M Shohet, UTSC, Toronto, Canada270 Viviana Patroni, York University, Canada271 Hira Singh, York University272 Shahrzad Mojab, University of Toronto273 Professor Gail Vanstone, York University, Toronto, Canada274 Srilata Raman, Religion, University of Toronto275 Anne O’Connell, Associate Professor, York University276 Caroline Hossein, York University277 Robert Latham, Political Science, York University, Toronto, Canada278 Roshney Kurian, McMaster University, Hamilton ON, Canada279 Craig Jennex, Department of English & Cultural Studies, McMaster University, Canada280 Ravi Adve, University of Toronto281 Sarah Harrison, McMaster University, Hamilton ON Canada282 Olivia Polk, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada283 Shalini Sharma, Dept. of Economics, University of Toronto at Mississauga284 Eva C Karpinski, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto285 Tyler Pollard, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON286 Nour Afara, McMaster University, Hamilton287 Alison Crosby288 Glenn Stalker, Associate Professor, York University, Toronto289 BD Ferguson, McMaster University, Ontario290 Danielle Landry, PhD student, York University291 Susie O’Brien, McMaster University, Hamilton ON canada292 Franca Iacovetta, Professor, University of Toronto293 Eliot Tretter, Proffesor, University of Calgary294 Markus Reisenleitner, YorkU295 Kasim Husain, PhD Candidate and Sessional Lecturer, McMaster University296 Mary O’Connor, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada297 Sarah D’Adamo, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON298 Elizabeth Zanoni, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Toronto Scarborourgh299 Adan Jerreat-Poole, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, CANADA300 Dr. Anne Savage, McMaster University301 Dr. Lorraine York, McMaster University, Hamilton ON302 James King, F.R.S.C.303 Marcelo Vieta, Assistant Professor, University of Toronto304 Jeff Fedoruk, McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario305 Benjamin Prus, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada306 Constantine Gidaris, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON307 Michelle Buckley, University of Toronto308 Donald Goellnicht, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada309 Caitlin Janzen, Ph.D Student, York University310 Lesley Wood, York University, Toronto Canada311 Christine Dalton, Hamilton312 Andrew Clement, Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto313 Marcelle Kosman, University of Alberta, Edmonton Alberta314 Marcello Musto, York University315 Dr. Sourayan Mookerjea, Department of Sociology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada316 Amber Dean, McMaster University317 Donna Gabaccia, University of Toronto318 Jeffrey Pilcher, University of Toronto319. Michelle Cho, McGill University, MontrealMalavika Kasturi, University of Toronto, Toronto321. Janet Rubinoff, York University, Toronto322 Molly Ladd-Taylor, York University323 Neil ten Kortenaar, University of Toronto Scarborough324 Natasha Pinterics, University of Alberta, Edmonton325 Craig Fortier, Assistant Professor Social Development Studies, Renison University College (University of Waterloo)326 Malissa Phung, McMaster University, Canada327 Carmela Murdocca, York University328 Shamika Shabnam, Doctoral Candidate at McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada329 Kovid Sharma330 Brycen Dwayne Janzen, McMaster University – Hamilton, ON331 Janet Rubinoff, York University (Toronto)332 Sonia Persaud, McMaster University Hamilton333 Hilton Bertalan, York University334 Aditi Gupta, University of Alberta, Edmonton(Back to top.)11. Open letters from CeMIS professors and students expressing solidarity with JNU students and staffDear Vice Chancellor,We are writing to express our deep concern and shock at the events unfolding on your campus, and we urge the responsible authorities to act decisively to protect the reputation of JNU as a global centre of academic excellence where students engage in free and vigorous debate.Since its inception, the Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS) at the University of Göttingen, Germany, has had the privilege of being closely associated with the academic community of JNU. A formal MOU between our institutions has enabled the intensive exchange of students and faculty between our institutions for over five years. Each year, we have several JNU students and professors in residence as guest scholars, and CeMIS students and faculty are welcomed as visiting scholars at JNU. We undertake collaborative research projects with several individual faculty members across your campus, and have formally partnered with JNU faculty on several large international research grant applications. JNU is thus a vital link in an international network of world class collaborative research in the social sciences and humanities. It is the only Indian institution with which we have maintained such close cooperation because we recognize its reliable excellence.Now, however, the academic freedom that has formed the very basis of our cooperation with JNU, and that has enabled its scholars to be recognized across the globe for their pioneering intellectual work, is under serious threat. The campus is in a state of siege and police power is being abused to quell dissent. We admire the courage and integrity of JNU’s teachers and students who have withstood this unwarranted assault with peaceful protest. We ask that you, as the seniormost administrator, restore the institutional autonomy of JNU and provide immediate assurance to the international community that JNU will maintain its commitment to a vision of India that champions academic freedoms and civil liberties.Sincerely,Prof. Dr. Ravi AhujaProf. Dr. Patrick EisenlohrProf. Dr. Srirupa RoyProf. Dr. Rupa ViswanathProfessors, Centre for Modern Indian Studies (CeMIS), University of GöttingenCeMIS students express solidarity with JNU students and staffWe, students of the Centre for Modern Indian Studies in Göttingen, express our solidarity with Jawaharlal Nehru University students and staff in Delhi.We align ourselves with CeMIS professors, who last week published an open letter to the JNU Vice Chancellor, urging him to restore the university’s institutional autonomy and protect academic freedoms and civil liberties.We are deeply concerned by the recent events at JNU. The university should be a place of critical debate and thought, as well as a platform for political activism. Unfortunately, the incidents of the last two weeks have demonstrated that these essential aspects of university life are no longer secure.Under the pretext of democracy and national security, the government is violently proceeding against students, professors and the staff of JNU. The imprisonment of Kanhaiya Kumar, physical and mental violence against those labelled ‘anti-national’ by the government and fractions of the media, as well as the ongoing police presence on the campus are clearly anti-democratic actions.JNU is an important institutional partner for CeMIS, with academic exchange between the institutes since CeMIS was opened in 2009. Several JNU professors and students have worked and studied at CeMIS, and our students have welcomed the opportunity to do exchanges at JNU. For us students, studying at JNU meant fruitful discussions, being part of a vibrant student community, and having the chance to participate in political debate. A place of acceptance and security, JNU also provided a warm and welcoming atmosphere for all of us. We greatly enjoyed the academic, cultural and social exchange on the JNU campus. We not only had the chance to widen our academic horizons, but also to make close friends.The repressive actions of the government against those who question and actively challenge social and structural inequalities in India have already claimed several victims, one of them being Rohith Vemula. Many JNU students fight against casteism, sexism, gender inequality and other forms of discrimination. And it is this activism which makes JNU a place we highly appreciate and greatly respect.We therefore demand the restoration of academic freedom, the immediate release of Kanhaiya Kumar, an end to physical and mental violence against so-called ‘anti-nationals’, and the withdrawal of the police force from the campus.We stand in solidarity with our friends, colleagues and the staff at JNU.CeMIS students(Back to top.)12. Statement of solidarity with student activists in India, from PennsylvaniaWe, activists and academics in the Pennsylvania region, strongly condemn the attack on academic freedom at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. The arrest of Kanhaiya Kumar, the President of the JNU Students Union, on charges of sedition has brought to light the intervention of the Union Government in the internal matters of the university. The repeated interference by police personnel at the behest of Vice Chancellors on university campuses is a draconian move. The charges against students were brought after an event organised by a section of students on campus premises to discuss the judicial execution of Afzal Guru. The JNU Students’ Union was subsequently held responsible for the “anti-national” slogans that were chanted by a group of students. We condemn these trumped-up and unconstitutional charges and stand in solidarity with the efforts to repeal capital punishment in India.The events unfolding at JNU reveal disturbing similarities with instances of government repression on other campuses. We remember, with distress, the actions of the University of Hyderabad (UoH) administration in cahoots with the Central Government, actions that led to the death of a promising Ambedkarite student-activist, Rohith Vemula. The protests that arose indicted the discriminatory atmosphere prevailing in our universities as tantamount to the denial of the fundamental right to education to socially marginalised groups. Further, the murder of social thinkers like Govind Pansare and M.M. Kalburgi by hyper-nationalist elements under the tacit encouragement of the policies of the Central Government has shocked all advocates of free speech in India.The charges of sedition against students participating in democratic discussion of public events is highly objectionable. The stifling of voices through intimidation and muscle power does not bode well for educational institutions.Debate and dissent are integral parts of a strong democracy. Universities are critical public spaces that support these democratic practices to realize the values of social justice enshrined in the ideals of the constitution. International campuses like JNU, FTII and UoH bring together diverse group of students in the spirit of self-reflexive and deep intellectual engagement to ask fundamental questions of their social realities. An attack on these institutions is an attack on this precious pedagogical space. Student movements in India in alliance with other social movements in the country have historically been a resilient and sensitive force. The BJP government’s efforts to undermine them is nothing but an assault on Indian democracy. The government has failed to protect the rights of student bodies, and the highhandedness of the police highlights the insecurities of the present government.In the United States during a presidential election year, we watch increasingly bigoted views against blacks, Muslims, and immigrants gaining ground. These events cannot be seen in isolation and we stand at the intersection of socio-political movements in the US and South Asia.We stand in solidarity with students and faculty of JNU and demand the immediate release of the detained students. We appeal to all advocates for academic freedom in India and abroad to stand united against this state atrocity.Anannya Bohidar, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaAmmel Sharon, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaMeghna Chandra, Philadelphia South Asian CollectiveAnia Loomba, English, University of PennsylvaniaProjit Mukharji, History and Sociology of Science, University of PennsylvaniaNajnin Islam, Graduate Student, English, University of PennsylvaniaSuvir Kaul, English, University of PennsylvaniaRallapalli Sundaram, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaTeren Sevea, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaDebjani Bhattacharyya, History, Drexel UniversityKasturi Sen, Lawyer for Defender Association of Philadelphia and Philadelphia South Asian CollectiveToorjo Ghose, Social Policy and Practice, University of PennsylvaniaIshani Dasgupta, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaShampa Chatterjee, Medical School, University of PennsylvaniaLucas de Lima, Graduate Student, Comparative Literature, University of Pennsylvania Sangeeta Banerji, Graduate Student, Geography, Rutgers UniversitySarita Mizin, Graduate Student, English, Lehigh UniversityAashish Gupta, Graduate Student, Demography, University of PennsylvaniaShourjya Deb, Graduate Student, Public Policy and Administration, Rutgers UniversitySugra Bibi, University of PennsylvaniaSamira Junaid, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaNandita Chaturvedi, Graduate Student, Physics and Astronomy, University of PennsylvaniaMuhammed Malik, with Philadelphia South Asia CollectiveJoshua Pien, South Asia Studies, University of PennsylvaniaSirus Joseph Libeiro, Graduate Student, School of Design, University of PennsylvaniaSambuddha Chaudhuri, Graduate Student, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of PennsylvaniaTanushree Bhan, Graduate Student, Public Policy and Public Affairs, University of Massachusetts BostonPooja Nayak, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Kaushik Ramu, Graduate Student, Comparative Literature, University of Pennsylvania.Darakhshan Khan, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Timothy J. Loftus, Graduate Student, Religion, Temple University.Mercedes Yanora, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Faisal I Chaudhry, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Sudev J Sheth, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Brooke Stanley, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Melissa E. Sanchez, English, University of Pennsylvania.Hao Jun Tam, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.David Kazanjian, English, University of Pennsylvania.Aaron Bartels-Swindells, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Manjita Mukharji, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Diksha Dhar, Graduate Student, Fulbright-Nehru Visiting Scholar, University of Pennsylvania.Faranak Miraftab, Urban and Regional Planning, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign.Timothy Lorndale, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Brittany Puller, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Philip Friedrich, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Dave Kussell, Undergraduate, Economic History, University of Pennsylvania.Jared Weinstein, Undergraduate, Math, University of Pennsylvania.Pushkar Sohoni, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Akshay Walia, Graduate Student, Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania.Lavanya Nott, Philadelphia South Asia Collective.Leopold Eisenlohr, Graduate Student, Chinese, University of Pennsylvania.Evelyn Soto, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Johanna Greeson, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Julia Chatterjee, Undergraduate, South Asia Studies, University in Pennsylvania.Josephine Park, English, University of Pennsylvania.Priti Narayan, Graduate Student, Geography, Rutgers University.Monidipa Mondal, Graduate Student, Rutgers University.Baishakh Chakrabarti, Graduate Student, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Chao Guo, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Ram Cnaan, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Femida Handy, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Ezekiel Dixon-Roman, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Andrea Doyle, Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania.Sheena Sood, Philadelphia South Asia Collective.Rovel Sequeira, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Daniel Davies, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.David L. Eng, English, University of Pennsylvania.Nancy J. Hirschmann, Political Science, University of Pennsylvania.Kalyan Nadiminti, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.James English, Director, Penn Humanities Forum, University of Pennsylvania.Micah Del Rosario, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Chi-Ming Yang, English, University of Pennsylvania.Jean-Christophe Cloutier, English, University of Pennsylvania.Andrew Lamas, Urban Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Amy Kaplan, English, University of Pennsylvania.Jed Esty, English, University of Pennsylvania.Prachi Priyam, Philadelphia South Asia Collective.Michael Gamer, English, University of Pennsylvania.Timothy Corrigan, English, University of Pennsylvania.Paul Saint-Amour, English, University of Pennsylvania.Monika Bhagat-Kennedy, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Fatima Tassadiq, Anthropology, University of Pennsylvania.Rahul Mukherjee, Cinema Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Eram Alam, History and Sociology of Science, University of Pennsylvania.Jazmin Delgado, Graduate Student, English, University of Pennsylvania.Luther Obrock, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Raili Roy, South Asia Studies, University of Pennsylvania.Hariprasad Kowtha, Philadelphia South Asian Collective.(Back to top.)13. Bangalore research network’s letter of solidarity with JNUWe, the undersigned members of the Bangalore Research Network and a consortium of academics and researchers from Bangalore, declare our solidarity with the students and faculty of the Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi protesting the illegal police arrest of JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar on charges of sedition. We unequivocally stand by them in affirming that universities are autonomous spaces for the free expression of a plurality of beliefs and cannot become military spaces of thought control that go against the very grain of a democratic society. With them, we condemn the blatantly authoritarian attempt by the police and the central government to witch hunt students on the basis of their political beliefs. We also condemn the unethical media trial of JNU students such as Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid.In a speech that is now widely available on the internet, Kanhaiya Kumar spoke critically of the BJP government policies at a peaceful student meeting held at JNU which was well within his rights by the laws of the land. This occurred a day after a group of unidentified students shouted slogans at an event that he had no part in organising. Legal luminaries have opined that those slogans about the rights of Kashmiris to independence from Indian military oppression over the last few decades, whether one might agree with them or not, do not amount to sedition. Kanhaiya Kumar was, however, arrested by the police for ‘anti-national’ behaviour and for violating sedition laws against incitement of violence. With no proof to substantiate the charge of sedition, his arrest can only be read as a reflection of the authoritarian nature of the current Indian government and its intolerance to any dissent. JNU is but the latest example of attempts to stifle dissenting student voices in university campuses across India, including others at FTII, BHU and University of Hyderabad. This is reflective of the current climate where higher education is being viewed as purely instrumental, captured by the logics of the neoliberal state and capital.As researchers, scholars, and academics, we are extremely concerned with the manner in which the ruling government has so blatantly set aside India’s longstanding commitment to plurality in belief. The space and freedom to express diverse and divergent beliefs and opinions are the foundations for critical thought and expression that university spaces cultivate. We urge the Vice Chancellor of JNU, who gave the police permission to wrongfully detain and arrest JNU students, to recognise the momentum of support building up for them and to immediately step in to safeguard their rights.Dated: February 22, 2016.Signatures in alphabetical order:Abeer Kapoor, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreAbhishek Hazra, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangaloreAditi Arur, Consultant, J-PAL South Asia, BangaloreAmman Madan, Azim Premji University, BengaluruAndrea Wright, Department of Anthropology, Brown University, Rhode IslandAnjali Shivanand, Centre for Child and the Law, National Law School of India University, BangaloreAparna Sundar, Visiting Faculty, Azim Premji University, BangaloreAndaleeb Rahman, Postdoctoral Fellow, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, BangaloreAnwesa Bhattacharya, Indian Institute of Science, BangaloreArchit Guha, Centre for Public History, BangaloreAsha Verma, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreAshwin, Independent Researcher, Azim Premji University, BangaloreAtreyee Majumder, Azim Premji University, BangaloreAvishek Ray, NIT SilcharBitasta Das, Indian Institute of Science, BangaloreDebjani Banerjee, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangaloreDevaki, L., Azim Premji University, BangaloreDhruva Desai, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreElizabeth Thomas, Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, BangaloreGayatri Menon, Azim Premji University, BangaloreGarima Jain, Indian Institute for Human Settlements, BangaloreGirija K P, Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, BangaloreGowri Vijayakumar, Department of Sociology, University of California, BerkeleyHemangini Gupta, Department of Women’s Gender and Sexuality Studies, Colby College, MaineIssac Arul Selva, Human Rights Activist, BangaloreJasmeen Patheja , Blank Noise.Jyothsna Belliappa, BengaluruKanthi Krishnamurthy, Centre for the Study of Culture and Society, BangaloreKavya Murthy, BangaloreKinnari Pandya, Azim Premji University, BenguluruK Ravichandran, Student, Azim Premji University , BangaloreLakshmi Arya, Independent scholar and writer, BangaloreLata Mani, Independent Researcher, BengaluruLindsay Vogt, Department of Anthropology, University of California, Santa BarbaraMadhu Bhushan, Independent (re)searcher-activist, BangaloreManisha Anantharaman, Justice Community and Leadership, Saint Mary’s College of CaliforniaMaia Barkaia,(JNU, 2010), Tbilisi State University (Tbilisi) and University of Oxford, Oxford.Manu V. Mathai, Azim Premji University, BangaloreMuthatha Ramanathan, BangaloreNavdeep Mathur, IIM AhmedabadNarendra Raghunath, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangaloreNeenu Suresh, National Law School of India University, BangaloreNikunja S. Bhuyan, Student, Azim Premji University, Bangalore.Nimisha Agarwal, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreNitya V, BengaluruPadma Baliga, St. Joseph’s College, BengaluruPadmini Ray Murray, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangalorePallavi Gaur, Student, Azim Premji University, BangalorePooja Sagar, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangaloreP. P. Sneha, BangalorePrakriti Prajapati, Researcher, ATREE, BengaluruPranesh Prakash, BangalorePreeti Kharb, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, BangaloreRajeev Kumaramkandath, Christ University, BengaluruRameshwara Nand Jha, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreRashmi Sawhney, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology, BangaloreRenny Thomas (JNU 2015), Department of Sociology, Jesus and Mary College, University of DelhiRiddhi Pandey, Student, Azim Premji University, BangaloreRobert M Geraci, Manhattan College (former Visiting Scholar at IISc), New YorkRolla Das, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreSanam Roohi, NIAS, Bangalore and AISSR, University of AmsterdamSarah Jacobson, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSavitha Suresh Babu, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreSahil Sasidharan, Associate – Academics & Research, IIHS, Bangalore/BengaluruSazana Jayadeva, The German Institute of Global and Area Studies, HamburgScott Sorrell, Department of Anthropology, Cornell University, New YorkSharad Sure, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSharmadip Basu, Azim Premji University, BangaloreShoibal Chakravarty, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreShreyas Sreenath, Department of Anthropology, Emory University, AtlantaShreyas Srivatsa, Urban Planner & Architect, BangaloreShrishtee Bajpai, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreShruti Ajit, Researcher, Kalpavriksh, PuneSimy Joy, Independent Researcher, Ely, EnglandSmriti Srinivas, NAGARA, BangaloreSoundarya Iyer, Student, NIAS, BangaloreSreechand Tavva, Post Graduate Student, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSreeparna Chattopadhyay, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSubadra Panchanadeswaran, Adelphi University, New YorkSubir Rana, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreSufaid V, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSunandan, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSunayana Ganguly, Independent researcher and entrepreneur, BangaloreSuraj Jacob, Azim Premji University, BangaloreTarang Singh, Azim Premji University, BangaloreTathagata Biswas. Azim Premji University, BangaloreVasanthi Mariadass, Srishti Institute for Art Design and Technology, BangaloreV R Vachana, Alumna, Azim Premji University, BangaloreVidhya Raveendranathan, Centre For Modern Indian Studies, Georg- August- University, Gottingen, GermanyVikas Maniar, Azim Premji University, BangaloreVinay K Sreenivasa, Alternative Law Forum, BangaloreVineeta, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreVineeth Krishna E, Centre for Law and Policy Research, BangaloreVivek Mishra, Alumnus, Azim Premji University, BangaloreVrashali Khandelwal, Student, Azim Premji University, Bangalore(Back to top.)14. In solidarity with the dissenting student community in India: A statement from AustraliaAs academics, students, writers, artists and activists from Australia, we condemn the use of oppressive power by the Indian state, its police, and Hindu fundamentalist groups to shut down voices of dissent emerging from within public universities in India.We join the international community in extending our support to the students, faculty and staff at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Hyderabad Central University (HCU) and many other public universities, who have been courageously protesting the overreach of state power and brutal stifling of dissent, carried out in the guise of majoritarian Hindu nationalism (Hindutva). Students at JNU and HCU have been targeted for opposing the death penalty awarded to Afzal Guru and Yakub Memon, convicted for “terrorism” by the Supreme Court of India. Students’ opposition to the death penalty – an act of violence carried out by the state to assert its sovereign might – has been manipulated by the state, university administrators, and irresponsible media reports, to be understood as their support for “terrorists”, and thus considered treasonous. The labelling of student activists as “anti-national” by invoking the draconian law on sedition (a legacy of British colonial rule), is a blatant attack on academic freedom. These attacks have been orchestrated by the BJP regime to strike fear among citizens who question its practices of anti-minority religious hate mongering and xenophobic propaganda. HCU student Rohith Vemula was suspended and driven to suicide because of the way the university administration and the state intimidated and threatened him. These attacks on students and free speech are not aberrations or sudden spurts of violence. Rather, they are part of a pattern of attacks on every idea and expression that does not pander to fascist Hindutva ideology. We deplore the attack on journalists, students, academics and activists by the lawyers at the Patiala House Court premises. The silence and inaction of the police in controlling this situation only testify to the state’s complicity in these events. We are appalled by the jingoistic and prejudiced reporting by some media channels to vilify JNU student activists Kanhaiya Kumar and Umar Khalid. We endorse the demands made by the protesting students, staff and faculty at JNU and HCU. We demand: a) the immediate release of the Kanhaiya Kumar, President of the JNU Student Union, and Umar Khalid and Anirban Bhattacharya; b) that the Bar Council of India enquiry into the attacks on journalists and protestors in Patiala House Court be carried out without political manipulation; c) that there should be no further intimidation and arrests of student activists for carrying out peaceful protests; d) the government must preserve the autonomy of universities and de-militarise campuses.We acknowledge that our solidarity is being extended from territory occupied by a settler colonial state. We also acknowledge that the Indigenous peoples who have not ceded their sovereignty, own this land. This acknowledgement is a necessary precondition for building transnational solidarity against governments – like those in India and Australia – that use democracy and national security as alibis for legitimising their everyday violence.Endorsed by: Debolina Dutta, PhD Researcher and Lawyer, Melbourne Law School, University of Melbourne Oishik Sircar, Teaching Fellow and Doctoral Researcher, Institute for International Law and the Humanities, Melbourne Law School Samia Khatun, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Department of History, University of Melbourne Shakira Hussein, Hon. Research Fellow, The University of Melbourne Mridula Nath Chakraborty, Academic, Monash University Irfan Ahmad, Associate Professor of Political Anthropology, ACU, Melbourne, Australia Rajgopal Saikumar, PhD Candidate, The Australian National University James Goodman, Associate Professor, University of Technology Sydney Kama Maclean, Associate Professor, UNSW Monique Hameed, Tutor, University of Melbourne Jordy Silverstein, Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Melbourne Heather Goodall, Professor Emerita in History, University of Technology Sydney Sukhmani Khorana, Lecturer, University of Wollongong Dr Zeena Elton, Independent Researcher/Writer Trish May, PhD student, UNSW Maryam Alavi Nia, PhD Candidate, UNSW Assa Doron, Academic , Australian National University Meera Ashar, Lecturer (Assistant Professor), The Australian National University Samanthi Gunawardana, Lecturer, Monash University Josh Cullinan, Secretary, Australia Bangladesh Solidarity Network Dr Lionel Bopage, Retired Public Servant, n/a Neeti Aryal Khanal, PhD candidate, Monash University Erin Watson-Lynn, Lecturer, Monash University Roanna Gonsalves, Writer and academic, UNSW Michelle de Kretser, Writer, University of Sydney Dr Ruth De Souza, Stream Leader, Research, Policy and Evaluation, , Centre for Culture, Ethnicity and Health Hannah Courtney, PhD Candidate, UNSW Dr Danny Butt, Lecturer, Centre for Cultural Partnerships, Victorian College of the Arts, University of Melbourne John Zubrzycki, PhD Candidate, University of New South Wales Ben Spies-Butcher, Senior Lecturer, Macquarie University, Australia Camilla Palmer, Postgraduate Researcher, University of New South Wales Brenda Dobia, Senior Lecturer, Western Sydney University Coel Kirkby, Postdoctoral Fellow, Melbourne Law School Elizabeth King, Student, UNSW Rajpaul Sandhu, Teaching, ACS David Feith, Subject Coordinator, Humanities, Monash College Wimal Jayakody, Member of PHRE Steve Pereira , Community Engagement, Melbourne University Anura, Real Estate Sales, PHRE Sithy Marikar, Vice President – AGGSl, Australian Labor Party S. R. Sivasubramaniam, Engineer Padraic Gibson, Senior Researcher, Jumbunna Indigenous House of Learning, University of Technology Sydney Vandana Ram, Artist Victoria Baldwin, Administrator Robin Jeffrey, Retired Academic Nadia Rhook, Lecturer, Latrobe University Mohamed Masood, President, Werribee Islamic Centre Anthony P. D’Costa, Chair and Professor of Contemporary Indian Studies, University of Melbourne Yamini Narayanan, ARC DECRA Senior Research Fellow, Deakin University Monimalika Sengupta, PhD Candidate, Monash University Parichay Patra, Doctoral Candidate, Monash University, Australia Lucy Honan, Teacher, Australian Education Union Councillor Arka Chattopadhyay, PhD student, University of Western Sydney Rev.Dato’ Dr.Sumana Siri, Buddhist Cardinal of Europe, Buddhist Realists’ Movement, U.K.,Italy & France Kalpana Ram, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Macquarie University Dr Sagar Sanyal, Adjunct lecturer, University of Melbourne Piergiorgio Moro, Secretary, Australia Asia Worker Links Beth Sometimes, Researcher, VCA, Melbourne University Russell Smith, Lecturer, Australian National University Anuparna Mukherjee, Ph.D. Researcher, ANU Amy Thomas, PhD Candidate, University of Technology, Sydney Shak Sandhu, Restaurant Manager Stephen Church, Doctoral Student/Casual Lecturer & Tutor, University of New South Wales Angela Smith, Researcher, North Africa Mixed Migration Task Force Balraj Sangha, Justice Of The Peace, Australian Labor Party Emma Torzillo, Medical Doctor, University of Sydney and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney Anne Brewster, Associate Professor, UNSW Lalitha Chelliah, Nurse, 3 CR Broadcaster; Socialist Alliance member Max Kaiser, PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne Dr Amanda Gilbertson, McKenzie Postdoctoral Fellow, University of Melbourne Faisal Al-Asaad, Graduate Research, University of Melbourne Jerome Small, Industrial Organiser, Socialist Alternative Milo Adler-Gillies, Student, Paris 8 Priya Chacko, Lecturer, University of Adelaide Vivien Seyler, Administrative Officer, South Asian Studies Association of Australia Bina Fernandez, Senior Lecturer, University of Melbourne Ghassan Hage, Professor, University of Melbourne Maria Elander, Lecturer in Criminology, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Melbourne Edward Mussawir, Lecturer, Griffith University Julia Lomas, PhD Candidate, Art History And Theory, Monash University Chris Andrews, Associate Professor, Western Sydney University Ben Silverstein, Lecturer, UNSW Alexandra Watkins, Academic, Deakin University Isabella Ofner, Researcher and Lecturer, The University of Melbourne Bina D’Costa, Academic, Department of International Relations, The Australian National University Shweta Kishore, Teaching Associate, Monash University Léuli Eshraghi, PhD Candidate, Monash University Dr. Ridwanul Hoque, Visiting Scholar at La Trobe Law School, La Trobe University Kristen Smith, Medical Anthropologist, University of Melbourne Joan Nestle, Independent Writer Adrian McNeil, Senior Lecturer, Monash University Parakrama Niriella, Theatre and Film Director, National Federation of Theatre Artists Sri Lanka Cait Storr, Sessional lecturer and PhD candidate, Melbourne Law School Greg Bailey, Hon. Research Fellow in Asian Studies (Sanskrit), La Trobe University Ian Woolford, Lecturer, La Trobe University Michael Stevenson, Retired Dolly Kikon, Department of Anthropology and Development Studies, University of Melbourne Jasmine Ali, Researcher, RMIT University Dr Kuntala Lahiri-Dutt, Senior Fellow, Resource, Environment & Development Program, Crawford School of Public Policy, The Australian National University Alison Young, Professor, University of Melbourne Usha Natarajan, Law Professor, American University in Cairo Ekta Sharma, Poet & Activist Rose Parfitt, Research Fellow, Melbourne Law School Suzette Mayr, PhD Student, University of New South Wales Leigh Hopkinson, Writer Amy Parish, PhD Candidate, UNSW Samantha Balaton-Chrimes, Lecturer in International Studies, Deakin University Audrey Yue, Associate Professor, The University of Melbourne(Back to top.)15. Statement of solidarity with Jawaharlal Nehru University, India – City University of New YorkBy the Professional Staff Congress, the CUNY faculty and staff union:PSC-CUNY stands in solidarity with the students, faculty and staff of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in Delhi, India, in their struggle against state repression of political speech. We condemn the arrest of JNU student union President, Kanhaiya Kumar, on charges of sedition and the expulsion of eight students by the university administration. The students are being persecuted by the Indian government and the university administration for participating in a rally protesting state policies and actions. It is a gross abuse of power for a democratic state to punish its citizens for exercising their right to political dissent. JNU is not a stand-alone incident; the recent attacks on students at other universities, like Jadavpur, and University of Hyderabad where it led to the tragic suicide of Dalit activist, Rohith Vemula, are part of a pattern of harassment and repression. We believe that the targeting of politically active youth at public universities reveals the broader program of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) to push its neoliberal attack on the poor, its discriminatory agenda against minorities, its promotion of a hawkish foreign policy, and its squelching of political dissent. We, at the City University of New York, and our fellow academics at universities throughout the USA appreciate the dangers of stifling academic freedom through our own destructive history. Our union is committed to fighting against class oppression, racism, and sexism, and to vigorously defend the right to political opposition. We join faculty and students from across the world – including University of Texas, Doctoral Students Council, CUNY, Purdue University, Williams College in the US, Canadian universities, University of Leuven, Belgium, University of Oxford, UK, Bangalore Research Network, Tata Institute of Social Sciences and University of Hyderabad in India – to express our solidarity with the students and faculty at JNU. We call upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately cease the pattern of persecution at universities. We also call on the Vice Chancellor of JNU to drop all punitive measures against the students engaged in protests, and to demand the immediate release of Kanhaiya Kumar.(Back to top.)