New Delhi: Over 10,000 signatories issued a statement condemning “police brutality” at Jamia Millia and Aligarh Muslim University, saying the “brutalization of students and the attack on universities is against the fundamental norms of a democratic society”.The signatories, including stalwarts such as Romila Thapar, Noam Chomsky, Judith Butler, Tanika Sarkar, Akeel Bilgrami, Sheldon Pollock and Zoya Hasan among many others, said that as “teachers, students, scholars and members of civil society across the world, we are watching with extreme concern the situation unfolding” at JMI and AMU.“We refuse to remain silent at the violence unleashed on our colleagues (students, staff, and faculty) peacefully protesting the imposition of a discriminatory and unjust law,” they said, referring to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. Protests have broken out across the country against the Act, which seeks to provide Indian citizenship only to non-Muslims fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.“It contravenes the right to equality and secular citizenship enshrined in the Indian constitution. On the 15th at JMIU, police fired tear gas shells, entered hostels and attacked students studying in the library and praying in the mosque. Over 200 students have been severely injured, many who are in critical condition. Because of the blanket curfew and internet blockage imposed at AMU, we fear a similar situation of violence is unfolding, without any recourse to the press or public,” the statement says.They said the police’s action on “peaceful demonstration and gathering of citizens” is blatantly illegal under the Constitution of India. “We stand in unconditional solidarity with the students, faculty and staff of Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University, and express our horror at this violent police and state action,” they said.This is the latest of many statements issued by academics, alumni, civil society and students criticising the police and standing in solidarity with the students who are protesting the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.The complete statement, with the full list of signatories, has been attached below.Jamia_AMU solidarity statement_edited by The Wire on Scribd