New Delhi: Close to 400 teachers from various institutes and universities, and more than 500 students – mostly from the Delhi University (DU) – have expressed shock at the “illegal raid” at the residence of DU associate professor Hany Babu.In separate statements, the signatories criticised the Pune police for searching the professor’s residence for alleged links to the Bhima Koregaon case without any warrant.From the raid, it is apparent that “any text may now become a pretext for the state to snoop into and invade our homes, our bookshelves, our lives and our families”, the statement says.Also Read: Bhima Koregaon Case: Pune Police Raid Delhi University Professor Hany Babu’s House“What baffles us instead is the confiscation of books and technological gadgets – containing a lifetime of his research – as identifiable sources of Babu’s crime. The fact that legally obtained and publicly available documents may be imagined by the state as containing traces of one’s culpability is worse than declared attempts at censorship… Is the act of reading itself proscribed in what is numerically the world’s largest democracy?” the signatories ask.The statements have been reproduced in full below.§Statement by teachers and academics in support of Dr. Hany BabuWe, teachers and members of the academic community from across universities, are shocked to know of the illegal raid at the residence of Dr. Hany Babu, Associate Professor in the Department of English, University of Delhi on the morning of 10 September 2019. While the horrifying overreach of a search conducted without a warrant has become routine harassment for dissenting citizens, the attempt made by the Pune Police to forcefully detain Babu’s family for six hours and deprive them of any communication with lawyers or friends amounts to extreme duress. Finally, forcing Babu to change passwords and forfeit access to his email account and other personal online media clearly makes way for a possible planting of evidence, to concoct a case against an assumed ‘suspect’.Dr. Hany Babu is a greatly respected scholar and teacher, who has been associated with democratic struggles both at the University and outside. Needless to say, his active investment in the cause of social justice – through academic writing and persistent litigation – proves his deep faith in constitutional law, and stands in ironic contrast to the actions of law-enforcement agencies like the Pune Police. That the state and the political order of the day will see a threat in Babu’s consistent recourse to judicial redress, over a range of issues, is not surprising. What baffles us instead is the confiscation of books and technological gadgets – containing a lifetime of his research – as identifiable sources of Babu’s crime. The fact that legally obtained and publicly available documents may be imagined by the state as containing traces of one’s culpability is worse than declared attempts at censorship. It effectively means that any text may now become a pretext for the state to snoop into and invade our homes, our bookshelves, our lives and our families. Is the act of reading itself proscribed in what is numerically the world’s largest democracy? The raids and arrests made in connection with the Bhima-Koregaon case as well as the verdict against Dr. G.N. Saibaba and others – both of which are relevant in the context of Babu’s house-search – convince us of how knowledge has come to be deemed as crime against the state.As teachers and scholars, we are dependent on the diversely rich resources that our institutional and personal libraries stock. It would be an ignominious disservice to our students if readings, discussions and the free flow of ideas were stifled in our classrooms for fear of their being frowned upon by the government of the day. Also, if the law of the state cannot guarantee our rights to our intellectual resources – often garnered over the course of years of rigorous research – our future generations will be left with mere election manifestos for knowledge. The raid at Babu’s residence, we understand, was calculated to produce this chilling effect on the circulation and production of ideas that stand in defiance to the ruling ideology.We are also aware that the search team raiding Dr. Hany Babu’s house included a panch witness, who was flown in from Pune to testify to the about-to-be-confiscated contents at the site. The other panch witness was a security person from the neighbourhood. This is patently illegal, as per the letter of law. Section 100(4) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) unambiguously states that the panch witnesses called upon to attend on a search must be “independent and respectable inhabitants of the locality in which the place to be searched is situated”. While the first panch violates the ‘local’ conditionality-clause, there is every reason to believe that an individual pre-commissioned for the task – and from within the jurisdiction of the raiding state-police – cannot be “independent” by any means. To imagine that the second panch witness, security personnel from the raided neighbourhood, would however maintain “independence” from police influence is to overlook the professional vulnerability of the cadre and its everyday negotiations with a police apparatus. Taken together, the blatant violations of law committed by the very procedure of the raid make it clear that the purpose was to intimidate a person rather than investigate a crime.In view of the effects that a continued witch-hunt of intellectuals and human rights activists has had on the state of Indian democracy as well as the future of conscientious knowledge-production, we appeal to citizens and civil rights organisations to collectively launch a massive nation-wide protest in the cause of justice.Debaditya Bhattacharya, Kazi Nazrul UniversityRina Ramdev, SVC, DUSourav RoySimi Malhotra, Jamia Millia IslamiaVebhuti Duggal, Ambedkar University DelhiAbhijit Gupta, Jadavpur UniversityParag Waknis, Ambedkar University DelhiAadil Zubair, Ambedkar University DelhiAnita E. Cherian, Ambedkar University DelhiGorvika Rao, DUMukul Chaturvedi, DUProbal Dasgupta, Retired from Indian Statistical Institute, KolkataRajshree Chandra, DUSneha Sharma, DUMoggallan Bharti, Ambedkar University DelhiBenil Biswas, Ambedkar University DelhiShivani Nag, Ambedkar University DelhiBindu K.C. Ambedkar University DelhiSangeeta Kumari, Govt. College for Girls, Sec-14, GurgaonAbhijit Kundu, DU.Abinash Dash Choudhury, Jadavpur University (Ex student, DU)Bidisha Bhattacharjee,Visva-Bharati, SantiniketanRituparna Chakraborty, DU(ex-student)Naveen Gaur, Dyal Singh College (DU), Delhi India. and IPNL, Lyon, France.Nandini Dutta, Miranda House College (DU)Mukul Mangalik, Ramjas College (DU)Hari Sen, Ramjas College (DU)Ira Raja, Department of English, DU.Manidipa Sen, JNUVivek Kumar, LL.M., South Asian UniversityRenu Arora DUNalini Nayak DUPulin Nayak DUFarha Noor, University of Freiburg, University of HeidelbergChitra Joshi DUMustakim Ansary, KNURoopa Dhawan DUShobhana Warrier DUSaugata Bhaduri, JNUPayal Nagpal, DUAntara Datta, DURatna Raman SVC DUSouradeep Roy (Ashoka University)Sanjeeb Mukherjee (formerly with CU)G. Arunima, JNUAbha Dev Habib, Miranda House, University of DelhiSaumyajit Bhattacharya, Kirori Mal College, University of DelhiNandita Narain, St.Stephen’s College, Delhi UniversityP R Meena, Dyal Singh college, Delhi UniversityAlok Laddha, Chennai Mathematical InstituteUma Gupta, Delhi UniversityVinita Chandra DUMihir Pandey DURashmi Pant DUKaren Gabriel, St. Stephen’s college, DUNitya Datta, DUP. K. Vijayan, Hindu college, DUPema Yolmo, Dyal Singh College,DUGhazala Jamil, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityMadhusudhan Raman, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchVidya Das Arora, Gargi College, DULakshmi Subramanian, BITS, PilaniAnandini Dar, AUDNasima Islam, CSSSCLata Singh, CWS/JNUKopal, AUDSanjukta Naskar, JDMCFranson Manjali, JNUNikhil Jain, Dyal Singh College (DU)Shiv KumarNavaneetha Mokkil, JNUAmeet parameswaran, JNUSumit Sarkar, Retd. Professor, Delhi UniversityTanika Sarkar, Retd. Professor, JNUShweta Sachdeva Jha, DUSanam Khanna, DUDr. Anubha Mukherji Sen, DDUC, DUDr. Rohith P, DDUC, DUSharmila Purkayastha, DUDhananjay Kapse, Kirori Mal College, DUDebjani Sengupta, IP College, DUManisha Saluja, Maitreyee College, DUAnia Loomba, University of PennsylvaniaKuntal Tamang, Motilal Nehru College E, DUYlva Perera, Åbo Akademi UniversityMudita Mohile, Gargi College, DUMitali Mishra DUMohinder Singh JNURudrashish Chakraborty Kirori Mal College, DUJayati Ghosh, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityNabanita Chakraborty Hansraj College, DUMadhumita Chakraborty ZHDC DUAyesha Kidwai, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityDattaraj Dhuri, Tata Institute of Fundamental ResearchMousumi Mandal, Presidency University.Sashanka Das, Kirori Mal College, DUM. Madhava Prasad, EFL University, HyderabadDr Tenepalli Hari, Associate Professor, Dept of Political Science, Assam University, Silchar Assam.Korvi Vinayakala, Researcher, Dept of English, University of Delhi and Special Officer of TSWREIS, HyderabadKinjal Banerjee BITS-Pilani Goa CampusKunal Chattopadhyay, Jadavpur University, Kolkata.Pankaj Kumar Das, Raiganj UniversityTanweer Fazal, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New DelhiVandana Mathur DUSherina Joshi. Deshbandhu College, DUManisha Sethi, Jamia Millia IslamiaAyesha Irfan Dyal Singh College DUSanthosh Sadanandan, AUDRajendra Parihar, DUKeval Arora, Kirori Mal College DUVidya Das Arora Kamala Nehru College DUSimona Sawhney IITDNicole Thiara, NTU, UKGeeta Patel, University of Virginia,USMohan Rao, retired professor, JNU.Sujay Thakur, GMVM, University of CalcuttaJayan K CherianDivya Rao, Warwick UniversityCarmel Christy K J, IIAS, LeidenKaruna Rajeev, Lady Shri Ram College for Women, DUSandeep R Singh, Ambedkar University DelhiJyoti Jakhar Dahiya, Motilal Nehru College, DUHugo Gorringe, Edinburgh UniversityYogesh Pratap Shekhar, Central University of South BiharSusmita Bhattacharjee, DUN. Sachin, Dyal Singh College, DUAnshuman Singh, Dyal Singh College DUVandana Tulsyan Dyal Singh College DUP. K Abdul Rahiman, University of MadrasKrishnan Unni.P DUMithuraaj Dhusiya, DUSukanta Chaudhuri, Jadavpur UniversityBrati Biswas, Dyal Singh Evening College, DUAneeta Rajendran, DUStuti Khanna, IIT DelhiSaikat Ghosh, SGTB Khalsa College, DUSipra Mukherjee, West Bengal State University, KolkataParoma Sanyal, IIT DelhiAs C. Nussbaum, University of ChicagoKarandeep Mehra, Ashoka University.Prashant Gupta, Independent ResearcherMadhumita Das, OP Jindal Global UniversityPeter McLaren, Chapman University, USAPrachee Dewri, Hansraj College, DUNivedita Sen, Hansraj College, DUPreeti Gupta Dewan, DBC, DUArti Minocha, LSR, DURakesh Ranjan, SRCC, DUAjay Skaria, University of MinnesotaSarbajaya Kundu, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)Suvritta Khatri, Deshbandhu College, DUVijay Singh, DUJobin Thomas, JMC, DUSruti Bala, University of AmsterdamSomsuvra Midya, IIT RoorkeePreeti Singh, Ohio State UniversitySomak Paul, California State UniversityUdaya Kumar, Jawaharlal Nehru UniversityKrishna Ram, Ambedkar University Delhi.Shiva Shankar, CMI.Abhijit Sen, Visva-Bharati.Dipankar Roy, Visva-BharatiGitha Hariharan, writer and activistRobin Isomaa, Åbo Akademi University, FinlandAnwesha Sengupta, Institute of Development Studies KolkataMaitri Baruah, Hansraj College, DU.Shaona Barik, Visva-BharatiShikha Kothiyal, DUSamrat Sengupta, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, Sammilani Mahavidyalaya, Kolkata, West Bengal.Archana Mathur, DUB Mangalam, Aryabhatta College, DUTejaswini Niranjana, Lingnan University Hong KongSubha Chakraborty Dasgupta, Former Professor, Jadavpur University, KolkataSuranjan Sinha, independent researcher, formerly Hindu College, DU.Renny Thomas, DU.Ratheesh Radhakrishnan, IIT Bombay, Mumbai.Himadri Chatterjee, KNU, AsansolT. V Madhu, University of Calicut, KeralaSurajit Bhattacharyya, IIT Bombay, MumbaiRonak M Soni, Stanford University, StanfordPraveen Priyadarshi, Zakir Husain Delhi College, Evening. University of Delhi.Ritajyoti Bandopadhyay, IISER MohaliSharmila Sreekumar, IIT BombaySantanu Banerjee, Kazi Nazrul UniversityAnandavardhanan, IIT BombaySealing Cheng, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong KongNandini Manjrekar, TISS MumbaiRahul Siddharthan, The Institute of Mathematical Sciences, ChennaiAmlan Dasgupta, formerly Jadavpur UniversityJanaky S., Calicut UniversityAnjali Monteiro, TISS MumbaiK.P. Jayasankar, TISS MumbaiSupratik Chakraborty, Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering IIT BombayPaulomi Chakraborty, IIT BombayDayadeep Singh Monder, IIT BombayBindhulakshmi P, Associate Professor, TISS, Mumbai.Sharmistha Saha, IIT BombayAparna Nandakumar, Providence Women’s College, KozhikodeAditi Das GuptaRuchi Mundeja , DU.J Devika, Centre for Development Studies, Thiruvananthapuram.Om Damani, IIT BombayArka Chattopadhyay, IIT GandhinagarLalmohan.P, University of KeralaShilpa Phadke, TISS, MumbaiSushmita Pati, Azim Premji UniversityNishaant Choksi, IIT GandhinagarSiddhartha Chaudhuri, IIT BombayAmbika Aiyadurai, IIT GandhinagarNeeraja D, Srishti Institute of Art, Design and TechnologyK.Satyanarayana, Professor, EFL University, Hyderabad.Reju George Mathew, Assistant Professor, NIT Calicut, KeralaMeena Gopal, TISS, MumbaiKetaki Chowkhani, Manipal Centre for Humanities, MAHE, ManipalPradip Kumar Datta, JNURahul Govind, University of DelhiSanghamitra Misra, University of DelhiVeena Hariharan, Jawaharlal Nehru University, DelhiUsha Raman, University of HyderabadShernaz Cama, University of DelhiRukshana ShroffMadhu SahniReshma Radhakrishnan, Universität Erfurt, GermanyWafa Hamid, DUS Akshay, IIT BombayShoba Ghosh, University of MumbaiAkash Bhattacharya, Azim Premji UniversityPurushottam Bhattacharya, Jadavpur UniversityAmit Singh, IIT BombayKalpana Kannabiran, CSD, Southern Regional Centre, HyderabadBrinelle D’souza, TISSM. V. Narayanan, University of CalicutKavita Bhanot, University of LeicesterAnwesha Chakraborty, University of Bologna, ItalyShilpaa Anand, BITS HyderabadDebasmita Deb, PhD Student, Krantijyoti Savitribai Phule Women’s Studies Centre, Savitribai Phule Pune University.Nivedita Menon, JNU, DelhiArudra Burra, IIT DelhiSambudha Sen SNUSandeep Bakshi, University of Paris, FranceJanki Andharia, TISSArijit Dey, IIT MadrasRukmini Pande, OP Jindal UniversityDenys Leighton, Ambedkar University DelhiDebangshu Mukherjee, IISER BhopalCindi Katz, Graduate Center, City University of New YorkMamatha Karollil, Ambedkar University Delhi.Dharitri Narzary, Ambedkar University DelhiGeetha Venkataraman, Ambedkar University DelhiShailaja Menon, Ambedkar University, DelhiNC Narayanan, IIT BombaySomya Tyagi, Delhi UniversityYogesh Snehi, Ambedkar University Delhi.Carole S. Vance, Columbia University, New York CityJuhi Tyagi, Universität Erfurt, GermanyBhoomika Joshi, Yale UniversityHanan Sabea, American University in CairoRekha Pappu, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, HyderabadAjin K Thomas, Mudra Institute of Communications, AhmedabadShivali Tukdeo, National Institute of Advanced Studies, BangaloreTarangini Sriraman, Azim Premji University, BangaloreSaravanan V, JNU New DelhiRukmini Sen, Ambedkar University DelhiShefali Saini, TISS Mumbai Phd StudentJhelum Roy, Jadavpur University, KolkataD. W. Karuna, Azim Premji University, Bangalore.Papori Bora, JNUSamata Biswas, The Sanskrit CollectiveAashish Khakha, TISS, MumbaiNiveditha Menon, BangaloreAditi Maddali, TISS, MumbaiSujata Patel, IIAS ShimlaAbid Faheem, JNU (M.Phil/Phd)Aditi Dudeja, Rutgers University, New JerseyEkata Lahiri, Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT GandhinagarChaittanya Kumar, TISS MumbaiSreejith Murali, PhD student, IIT Bombay.Anuradha Pati/ Development Professional/ FreelanceKoshy Tharakan, Goa UniversityMithilesh KumarDinesh Yadav, TISS, Mumbai.Usha Mudiganti, AUDSaswati Ghosh, City College, KolkataRachelle C, IIT GandhinagarAjmal Khan, Ashoka University.A Sunil Dharan, Motilal Nehru College, Delhi UniversityAnil Kumar, Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi.Surajit Sarkar, Ambedkar University Delhi.Malavika Kasturi, University of Toronto, Canada.Anu, University of DelhiBhavani Raman, University of Toronto, CanadaSherin B.S., EFL University HyderabadSayan Chaudhuri, JNUSreerag Poickadan, Former Students’ Union President, University of HyderabadAneha Hepzibah Solomon, BCM CollegeAmbika Tandon, DUJoel van de Sande, Columbia University, New York CityDeepti N, PhD student, TISS MumbaiMN Parasuraman, Assistant Professor, University College, Thiruvananthapuram, KeralaArun Iyer, Assistant Professor, Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT BombaySwati Moitra, University of CalcuttaRicha Biswas, ICSSR Research AssociateJeyakirthana J., DUShayma, JNUTushar Meshram, Indian School of Public Policy, New DelhiM. V. Ramana, University of British Columbia, CanadaMadhura, SaviNoel Benny, Zakir Hussain College, DUVijay Kumar, DUSubro Saha, Utrecht UniversityManvi Khare, Zakir Hussain College, DUVishnu Prathap, Hindu College, University of DelhiAmal Fathima Abdullah, Daulat Ram CollegeAnoona Parveen, IndraPrastha College, DUSheethal Santhosh, Ramjas College, DURahul Kandola, TISSHaseeb P P, JNUAnand Chakravarti, retd, DUUma Chakravarti, retd, Miranda House, DUDiya P Nayim, Miranda House, DU,Akanksha Yadav, Miranda House, DU.Shweta, Miranda House,DUAkhila V Anand, Miranda House, DUSumati PK, Researcher, DelhiHari Das, BangalorePratiksha, Miranda House, DUPragati Jha, Miranda House, DUSmitha Banarjee, DUAbhijit Roy, Jadavpur UniversityAnkita Hurmade CODP TISSSvati Joshi, Retd. Miranda House, Delhi UniversityFayiz Shareef, Hindu College, DUMaharghya Chakraborty, CSSSCAnna T.M., Hindu College, DUDurgesh Solanki, Johns Hopkins UniversityPriya Jadhav, IIT BombayAmit Kumar, JNU, Delhi.Hafsa Abdul Rahiman, Al Jamia Al Islamiya,. KeralaNisha Biswas, CSIRSavithri P K, Hindu College, DUMoushumi Basu, JNU, DelhiSaumya Gupta, DUIra Bhaskar, JNURajiv Jha SRCC, DUDebolina Biswas, Gurudas College, University of Calcutta.Yashi, DUSheevi Saini , DUAmeena sherin , DUSooraj Elamon, Hindu College, DUVipin Kumar Chirakkara, EFL UniversitySapna Choudhary, Miranda House, DUAkash Raha, JNUFavita Dias, Goa UniversityViolina Borah, DUSudipta Kr Paul, former student, Visva-Bharati.Mehdi Hussain, JNUHindolee Datta, Former Student, JNUParesh Hate, Hasratein: a queer collectiveNirban Nandy, University of Engineering and Management, Newtown, KolkataSanskriti Rajkhowa, JNUGitika Debnath, PhD student, School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNUGhanshyam Shah, Former professor, JNUK. Saradamoni, Retd Social Scientist, ISI, DelhiAsha G, Alumna, IIT DelhiSwati Simha, PhD student, JNUFShubhra, PhD candidate, JNUPavitra, PhD Student, DUMadhura Lohokare, Jindal Global University, HaryanaArgha De, Visva BharatiSamik, PhD Candidate, JNUKumari Neelu, PhD, JNUAnuradha Kapoor, Social Activist, KolkataSakshi Sundaram, PhD Scholar, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, DelhiAgniva Roy, Student, Visva-Bharati UniversitySupriya Chaudhuri, Emeritus Prof, Jadavpur UniversitySuroopa Mukherjee, Hindu College, DU.Samim Haidar, PhD, Jadavpur University.Lakshmi Menon, Assistant Professor, University of Kerala§Professor, He is Our Professor:Statement in solidarity with Professor Hany BabuWe, the undersigned students, express our outrage upon learning that his house has been searched by the police in connection to his alleged involvement in the Elgar Parishad-Bhima Koregaon case which the Pune police are investigating.While we feel that the law must take its own course, we also make it clear that these surprise searches without warrants are illegal and amount to extreme harassment. It is incumbent upon legal institutions to oppose such arbitrary raids and prevent/oppose the misuse of inherently dangerous laws such as the UAPA. The Pune police has, in the past, arrested five human rights activists, and have tried to arrest other human rights activists but were prevented from doing so after the Supreme Court stepped in. Since then, the Bombay High Court has released Dr Anand Teltumbde after his arrest by the Pune police in connection with the same case. The same court also extended Gautam Navlakha’s period of protection from arrest after it found no substantial evidence against him. The good judgement of our honourable courts suggests that this case is nothing but an example of prolonged intimidation and harassment by the Pune police, and, by extension, the current government in power, to silence activists, professors and other citizens who support human rights in this country.Keeping this in mind, we also offer our support to Professor Hany Babu and express our confidence in him. Hany Babu, among many other professional duties, teaches an M Phil course on language policy and linguistic debates. In one of his classes, he had shared the 2015 Chennai Declaration of Linguistic Rights with us. Here are some excerpts from the document:Considering that the current language policies of the Union Government of India are detrimental to the very survival and development of languages spoken by various communities in the Indian Union,…Considering that in the name of development, English is given over-emphasis and the all pervasive and increasing phenomenon of English dominating every aspect of our lives and replacing all the languages in the Indian Union in the public and private spaces, thus restricting our linguistic, cultural and economic choices;…HEREBY DECLARE THATAll languages in the Indian Union are considered to be equal and each language community has the right to conserve, develop and empower their languages in all possible ways and means in a democratic milieu.Given how much Hany Babu cares for language equality and the inalienable right of every language in the Union of India to advance, it is indeed shocking that the Indian state has harassed such an individual. Teaching in an English department, Hany Babu also understood the immense power the English language carried with itself, and helped many of us understand the inevitable exclusions the English language makes possible. Hany Babu’s demand for language equality is allied to his demand for breaking caste exclusions in how knowledge is organised, as his article published in The Economic and Political Weekly testifies. Apart from being a teacher at DU, Hany Babu is also part of the Alliance for Social Justice, a forum for opposing caste discrimination in the university. We feel the Indian state should recognise the importance of the work that he does towards the creation of an equitable society as both an academic and an activist. If any student, or a teacher for that matter, faced any form of discrimination, they knew that Hany Babu’s door was always open for them. As students we do not merely learn from him as a teacher, but are also inspired by his political work.And just as Hany Babu taught us to care for language rights, we demand that the Indian state accord him the dignity to live with his inalienable rights as a citizen of India. Even if the Indian state fails to keep its promise, we take this opportunity to offer our solidarity to Hany Babu, who is not just a citizen of India (a mere official status given by the sovereign state), but also our professor. We offer our support, our solidarity, our love to our Professor.Soumyabrata Choudhury, writing of another professor, Professor Saitya Brata Das (who was denied a promotion at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) — one among many attacks the university has faced since the current government came to power), asked in his essay, who is a professor?…the true professor begins to exist only when we have freed her from all measurable accomplishments, all quantifiable evidence, from everything that can equally be manipulated and falsified. In fact, the professor has discreetly withdrawn from the spectacle, while those sitting masterfully in the audience presume to judge the “performance” as to whether it is worthy of what they call a professor. Like all presumptive people, they are wrong to think they can sit in judgement merely because they have the so-called institutional authority to do so. The professor’s existence is often too discreet for the discretionary authority of the judges to capture. So, while the vice chancellor of JNU misses the honour of presenting Das with a professorship, we are honoured to read his work and learn from him – and to greet him in admiration, gratitude, and camaraderie: “Professor!”Just as the then Vice Chancellor of JNU had missed the honour of presenting Das with professorship, the police, in harassing Hany Babu, has lost its opportunity to understand the true worth of the person whom they suspect of a crime.And it is only imperative now that we, Hany Babu’s students, “greet him in admiration, gratitude, and camaraderie” and proudly proclaim to the world, “Professor!, he is our Professor!”Through this statement we strengthen our resolve to support him and the work he does as a teacher-organiser towards an equitable society.In solidarity,Signed by Amitrajeet Mukherjee, MPhil 2018-2020, English, DUDeepak, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUKamna Singh, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUPriyanka Arora, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUAakash Sinha, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUJennish Moirangthem, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUAshna K Asok, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUUddipana Bora, MPhil 2018-2020 English, DUAsief Aliyar, MA English. 2018-2020Pratiksha Pathak, M Phil (2019-2021) English, Cardiff UniversityVini Bhati, MA English 2016- 2018, DUMaulikta Kohli, MA English 2016-2018, DUMahak Jain, MA English 2016-2018, DURavinder Kaur MA (2016-2018) English DUAiman Gul MA (2016-2018) English DUTarun Sharma, MA (2015-2017), English DUAmanpreet Kaur, MA (2015-2017), English DUSakshi Dhaulta, MA (2015-2017), English DUHeena Chauhan, MA (2014-16) English DU, M Phil (2017-2019) DUTasnim Nazifa Choudhury, MA (2017-2019), English DUSaheb Kaur, MA (2014-2016) English DUCharu Smriti, MA (2014-2016) English DUAnkita Nair, MA (2014-2016) English DU; currently, PhD research scholar, IIT Gandhinagar.Debayudh Chatterjee, MA (2013-15), M Phil (2015-2017), English DU; currently PhD scholar, English Dept, University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignGirish Dahiya, M Phil (2013-2015), English DU.Jitender Jatav MA (2012-2014) English DUSamrat Sharma, M Phil (2017-2019), English DUSaumya Sethia, M Phil (2017-2019), English DUHiba Ahmed, M Phil (2017-2019), English DUDeeksha Yadav, M Phil (2017-2019), English DUHimanshi Saini, M Phil (2017-2019), English DU; currently, Asst Prof, LSR, English DUSouradeep Roy, MA (2013-2015), M Phil (2015-2017), English, DU; currently, Research Scholar, School of Arts and Aesthetics, JNURajorshi Das, M Phil 2014-16 English DU; currently PhD research scholar, English, University of IowaMenka Ahlawat, MA (2013-2015) English, DU.Gertrude Lamare, MA English, DU, 2011-2013; currently, Research Scholar, the London School of Economics and Political ScienceShamayita Sen, PhD research scholar, DU, EnglishThelma Ramthienghlim, PhD research scholar, DU, EnglishHansa, MPhil 2018-20, English, DUSindhoora Pemmaraju, MA English 2018, DUTina Borah, MA English 2018, DU, Currently Assistant Editor, Agency ReporterSeemita Bhattacharya, MA English 2018, DUShuchita Joshi, MA English 2018, DUBandana Sapam, MA English 2018, DUAnushtha Saxena, MA English 2018, DUAditi Barman Roy, MPhil in SWS, Jadavpur University, 2019-2021Anusha Kaman, MA English 2018, DUApoorva Dimri, MPhil 2018-20, English, DUAindrila Choudhury, MPhil in SWS, Jadavpur University (pursuing)Anupama Madhusudan, MA English 2018, DURaghav Verma, PhD Scholar, University of Tübingen, GermanyNawal Nagi, MA English 2018 DU, Assistant Professor AAU (current)Shagun Lal, MA English 2018 DU, Currently pursuing LLB, DUVisudha N, MA English 2018, DUMithilesh Yadav, MA English 2018, DUPooja Duggal, MA English 2018, DU, Currently an Assistant Professor at KMV CollegeAbhilasha Kujur, MPhil 2018-2020, English,DUShibangi Dash, MPhil 2018-2020, English, DUPriyanka Roy, MPhil 2018-2020, English, DUAkshaya Choudhury, MPhil 2018-2020, DUShannon Mathew, MA Media Studies, Class of 2019, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, NetherlandsMadhurima Sen, MPhil 2018-2020, English, DUReyna Shruti, LLB. Law Faculty 2017-2020, DURonika Devi, MA English 2018, DUArijit Nandi, MA English 2018, DU, Currently pursuing MPhil in English, Jadavpur UniversitySreya Samaddar, MA English 2018, DUAnjali Joshi, MA English 2018, DUTanya Singh, MA English 2018, DU, Currently Assistant Editor at Yoda PressRoopam Maheshwari, MA English 2018, DUAnkita Srivastava, MA in Global History Berlin Freie University and Humboldt University, GermanyShruti Kirti, MA English 2018, DUMarshika Chauhan, MA English 2018, DUSomok Roy, M.A. History, 2019-2021, DUMeenu Lodhi, M.Phil. 2018-2020, English, DUNidhi Angurala, M.Phil. 2018-2020, English, DUPallavi, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSuyash Maurya, M.Phil. 2018-2020, English, DUShruti Kirti, MA English 2016-2018, DUHelena Pebam, MA English 2016-2018, DUKenny Kongkham, MA English, 2016-2018, DUHoney, MA English 2016-2018, DUMarshika Chauhan, MA English 2016-2018, DUArka Mukhopadhyay, MA English 2016-2018, DUAkansha Mongia, English, 2014-2018, DUVasudha Singh, LLB. 2018-2021, DUAnshul Mukherji, M.A. English 2018-2020, DUSailen Katel, M.A. English 2016-2018, DUSunil Kumar, MPhil English 2018-202, DUSimran Mittal, MA English 2016-2018, DUAnibal Goth, MA English 2016-2018, DUUday Khanna, MA English 2016-2018, DUAvinash Kumar Badhwan, MA English 2016-2018, DUAribam Siddharth Sharma, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUKajal Kumari, MA English, 2016-2018, DUPrachi Gupta, MA English, 2016-2018, DUShivani Adhana, MA English, 2016-2018, DUManjari Singh, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUP. Ashley, Assistant Professor, Dept. of English, St. Stephen’s CollegePauline Lallawmzuali, MA English, 2016-2018, DUArsheya, MA English, 2016-2018, DU, Currently pursuing a masters of teaching at Victoria University, Melbourne, AustraliaPoulomi Nag, MA English, 2018-2020, DUMegha Mukherjee, MA English, 2018-2020, DUKrishtijeet Das, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUTushar Sharma, MA English, 2016-2018, DUKetan Mehta, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAsmita Anand, MA English, 2016-2018, DUHimanshi Kandwal, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAradhana Lamichhane, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSomya Charan Pahadi, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAdarsh Yadav, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSimran Bardia, MA English, 2018-2020, DUMridul Kiku, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAnu, MA English, 2018-2020, DURachel John, MA English, 2018-2020, DUDebobroto Sensharma, Postdoctoral Researcher, Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, IrelandRiya Nagar, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDebangana Pal, MA English, 2016-2018, DUPaulomi Das, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDeepanwita Dey, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSafia Habib, MA English, 2018-2020, DUHemant Kumar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShailee Rajak, MA English, 2018-2020, DURagasree K P, MA English, 2018-2020, DUVarsha A, MA English, 2018-2020, DURashi Chauhan, MA English, 2018-2020, DURicha, MA English, 2018-2020, DUHeeranshi Sharma, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSimran Singh, MA English, 2018-2020, DUKhushi Gupta, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNavoneel Ray, MA History, 2017-2019, JNU.Altmash Ahmad, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUShivam Yadav, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUMouli Majhi, MA English, 2016-2018, DUKhushboo, MA English, 2016-2018, DUEliza Anjum, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAnindita Bose, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAvica Bedi, MA English, 2018-2020, DUHumra Laeeq, MA English, 2018-2020, DUDiksha Chandra, MA English, 2018-2020, DUMehak Fatima, MA English, 2016-2018, DUTazeen Ali, MA English, 2016-2018, DUArnav Gogoi, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUAnnie Mariya Simon, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDivya Singh, MA English, 2016-2018, DUNokdyamen, MA English, 2016-2018, DUShweta Sharma, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAnshika Sharma, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAarti, MA English, 2018-2020, DUHimanshu Balhara, MA English, 2018-2020, DUTanurima Shau, MA English, 2018-2020, DUHimanshu, MA English, 2018-2020, DUMohammed Zanskar Danish, BA History, 2014-2017, St. Stephen’s CollegeDipank, MA English, 2015-2017, DUHenna Razak, MA English, 2016-2018, DUParvathy V, MA English, 2015-2017, DUArjumand Ara, MA English, 2016-2018, DUKanika Prabala, MA English, 2016-2018, DUShashi Shekhar, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUShivangi Kanojia. MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUKanishka Singh, MA English, 2018-2020, DUManisha Vishwakarma, MA English, 2018-2020, DUKirti Bansal, MA English, 2018-2020, DUIqra Raza, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAshutosh, LLB, Faculty of Law (LC-2), 2016-2019, DUImesenla Lemtur, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDikshya Samantrai, MA English, 2016-2018, DUHarikrishnan Menoth, MA English, 2018-2020, DUDeepshikha Behera, MA English, 2016-2018, DUMayuri Saikia, MA English, 2016-2017, DUMahima Kapoor, MA English, 2018-2020, DURomey Oldworth, MA (Hons) English, 2014-2019, University of Edinburgh, ScotlandMansi Draboo, MA English, 2018-2020, DURasha Fathima, MA English, 2018-2020, DUChinmaya Lal Thakur, MA English 2016-2018, DU and currently PhD Research Scholar, Dept. of Creative Arts and English, La Trobe University.Mantra Mukim, MA (2014-2016), M.Phil (2016-2018), PhD candidate, English Department, University of Warwick.Anushka Maheshwari, BA (Hons) Philosophy 2017-2020, St. Stephen’s CollegePriyam Goswami Choudhury, BA Hindu College (2011-14), MA Hindu College (2011-12), currently PhD researcher, Uni. Potsdam in Potsdam, Germany.Dipannita Ghosh, PhD, JNUTitas Bose, MA English (DU) 2014-2016, Currently PhD, JNUIndu Kumari, Mphil, JNUManya Misra, MA English, 2016-2018, DUNishant Prakash, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDebatri Sengupta, MA English (DU) 2014-2016Bhaswar Faisal Khan, MA English (DU) 2014-2016Richa Dawar, MA English (DU) 2014-2016,Heena Chauhan, MA English (DU) 2014-2016Michi Nunya, MA English (DU) 2014-2016Kanika Katyal, MA English (DU) 2014-2016, MPhil English 2016-18.Aditi Nagar, MA English (DU) 2016-2018Raveena Kohli, MA English (DU) 2015-17Sayan Chaudhury, MA English (DU) 2011-13Moinak Banerjee, PhD, JNUTrevor Jayaraj, MPhil English, 2013-2015, DUDiksha Makhija, MA English, 2018-2020, DUGayatri Mehta. MA English, 2018-2020, DURitu Jangid, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShailesh Kumar Sahu, MA English, 2016-2018, DU Currently PhD scholar at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University and co-supervised by Dr. Hany BabuHarsha Panigrahi, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSakshi Saini, MA English, 2016-2018, DUMehk Chakraborty, BA (Hons) Political Science, Presidency University, 2013-2016, KolkataDiksha, MA English, 2016-2018, DUShefali Singh, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2014-2017Hitesh Kumar, MA English, 2015-2017, DURitu Singh, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDipank, MA English 2015-2017, MPhil CIL 2018-2020,DUPoulomi Paul, MA English, 2016-2018, DUBune Bethseba LD, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSayantani Mukhopadhyay, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNg Aquiline, MA English, 2013-2015, DUSwarnika Ahuja, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUSanstuti Nath, MA English, 2016-2018, DUMeenakshi, MA English, 2016-2018, DUNikita Dugar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSwati Sharma, MA English, 2018-2020, DURashmi Mantri, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAbhishek Aman, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAnamika Ahongshangbam, MA English, 2015-2017, DUNilanjana Ray, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUNimisha Salim, MA English, 2017-2019, DUSanket Sarkar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSaira Bhanu, MA English, 2017-2019, DUShivani Thaku, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNirmala, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShubhangi Yadav, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSamiksha, MA English, 2018-2020, DUPuneeta Budhwar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSiddhi Jangid, MA English, 2018-2020, DUAanchal Poonia, MA English, 2018-2020, DUPurobi Banerjee, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShalu Chauhan, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShreejeeta Ghosh, MA Englishm 2018-2020, DUSatya P. Mohanty, Professor at the Department of English, Cornell UniversityIshita, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNishita Khattar, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUNishi Paliwal, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAditi Sundan, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDisha Singh, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAnukriti Jayant, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSrishti Chaudhary, MA English, 2016-2018, DUThayee Krishna, MA English, 2016-2018, JNUVictoria Burns, MA in Global History, Freie University and Humboldt University, GermanyRahaf Salahat, Bachelors in Political Science, Al-Qurds Bard College, PalestineGarima Prakash, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSonali Dahiya, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShubham Alphonze Mamgain, MA English, 2018-2020, DUArundhati Chauhan, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2014-2017Shivani Kasumra, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2014-2017Priyank Jain, MA English, 2016-2018, DU, currently PhD scholar at National University of MalaysiaSoumava Maity, currently pursuing PhD in DUNikita Tiwari, MA English, 2016-2018, DUNeha Maria Mathew, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNikita Singh, MA English, 2018-2020, DUKritika Chauhan, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSanyogita, MA English, 2018-2020, DURitesh Kumar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSindhuja Dubey, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShubhadip Mukherjee, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSukriti Kapoor, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Shalini Jha, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Anagha Rakta, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Mouli Tamot, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Chitra Rawat, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Swati Mehta, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Aparna K K, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Taniya Hassan, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Reetika Ghilan, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Ananya Bhardwaj, MA English, 2019-2021, DURachungailiu Gonmei, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAakash Sharma, MA English, 2019-2021, DUVasishali Negi, MA English, 2019-2021, DUTanya, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSamriddhi, MA English, 2019-2021, DUShrimansi, MA English, 2019-2021, DUDiwakar, MA English, 2019-2021, DUMayank Kumar, MA English, 2019-2021, DUKunal Kardam, MA English, 2019-2021, DUHarsha Dhaniya, MA English, 2019-2021, DUPratyaksha, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSusmita Banerjee, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAnkit, MA English, 2019-2021, DUDipanjali, MA English, 2019-2021, DUKeshav Bansal, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAnil Choudhury, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAfiya, MA English, 2019-2021, DUVarshashaji, MA English, 2019-2021, DUDivyansh Bhatt, MA English, 2019-2021, DUNandini, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAbhinandini, MA English, 2019-2021, DURohit, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSusmita, MA English, 2019-2021, DUVarsha Anil Nayar, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAritra Majumdar, MA English, 2019-2021, DUShubhangi, MA English, 2019-2021, DUDivya, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSabaha Salim, MA English, 2018-2020, DUVanya Barthwal, MA English, 2018-2020, DUTeresa Ruwndar, MA English, 2018-2020, DUNaveen Solanki, BA (Hons) English, Motilal Nehru College, 2013-2016Vinayak Pant, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSanchita Sarkar, MA English, 2016-2018, DUJyoti Biswas, MA English, 2017-2019, DUSumit Chaurasia, BA (Hons) English, Ramjas College, 2018-2021Sayandeb Chowdhury, Professor at Ambedkar University, DelhiMehak Chuttani, MA English, 2018-2020, DUVaishnavi, MA English, 2018-2020, DUSaumya, MA English, 2018-2020, DUShristi Jaiswal, MA English, 2018-2020, DUPriya, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUNaina Sharma, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUShilpi, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUAnjali Kumari, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUSonali Sharma, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUShruti Goel, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUHimani Verma, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUKarishma Sahoo, MA English NCWEB, 2018-2020, DUDayarani, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSonia, MA English, 2019-2021, DUSreya Roy Chaudhury, BA (Hons) English, Miranda House, 2015-2018Somya Bisht, M.A. English 2016-2018, DUManisha Choudhary M.Phil. 2018-2020,DUKimi Roy, MA English, 2016-2018, DUSnighdha Sood, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAnmol Sahni, MA English, 2016-2018, DUMoksh Kalra, BA (Hons) English, Ramjas College, 2017-2020Amit Kumar, LLB, Faculty of Law, DUVidhi Gandhi, M.A. History, University of Delhi, 2019-2021Aanand Shekhar, MA History, 2019-2021, DUAnanyo Chakrabarti, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2019-2022Nabila Ansari, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2018-2021Suchintan Das, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2018-2021Vighnesh Tekriwal, BA (Hons) English, Ramjas College, 2018-2021Riya Lohia, BA (Hons) English, Ramjas College, 2018-2021Kaushikee, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAbhilasha Sawlani, PhD scholar from Ashoka UniversityZahra Rizi, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAditya Kumar, MA English, 2014-2016, DUMadiha Rehman, MA English, 2016-2018, DUDebayan Das, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2018-2021Arnaaz Zaman, BA (Hons) History, St. Stephen’s College, 2018-2021Garima Sharma, MA History, Ambedkar University, 2019-2021Vanya Goyal, MA English, 2016-2018, DUAbha Kumar, MA English, 2016-2018, DURuchika Mattoo,MA English, 2016-2018, DUKaustubh Mishra, MPhil English, 2018-2020, DUMarjory Ruiz, Masters in Global History, Freie University and Humboldt University, GermanyPallavi Rao, PhD scholar from Indiana University, Bloomington, USAKastoori Barua, MA English (2014-2016) DU, currently a Ph.D. student at University of Western Ontario.Anjali Thakur, MA English (2014-2016)Plabita Gogoi (MA Eng 2014-2016)Bijit Sinha (MA Eng 2014-2016)Neha Kumari (M.A English 2015-2017)Zarqua Adam, MA English (2014-16)Srija Sanyal MA English 2014-16Richa Sharma, MA English (2014-2016)Shashi, MA English (2014-17)Nazish Ashraf (MA English 2016) DU.Shalini Kaushik, MA English (2014-16)Bhawya Wadhera, MPhil English (2016-18)Veena Pillai, MA English (2014-16)Ankita Nair, MA English (2014-16)Snigdha Roy, MA English (2014-16)Prerna Grewal, MA English (2014-16)Ifrah Javaid, MA English (2014-2016), DUAman Nawaz, M Phil English 2016-2018Prannay Pathak, MA English (2014-16)Rohan Munshi MA English (2014-16)Arpita Roy MA English (2014-16)Anuj Gupta, MA English (2013-2015)Nishtha Pandey, Batch 2014-16, currently a Research Scholar at the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Madras.Purandhya Sharma, MA English (2014-16)Nisha Nirwal, MA English (2014-2016)Geetika, MA English (2013-2015); currently, actorHema Sen, MA (2010-12) English DUShweta Duseja, MA (2011-13) English DUMeenu Chaudhury, MA (2012-14) English DUAvantika Pokhriyal, MA (2012-14) English DUThinkal Hasan, M Phil (2015-2017) English DUSomya Tyagi, M Phil (2015-2017) English DUShruti Sareen (MA: 2007-2009, MPhil: 2010-2012, PhD: 2013-present)Jyotirmoy Talukdar, MA (2012-2014), MPhil (2014-2016) ENglish DUStudents of Department of English, Miranda House, 2017-20: 75 students in that batch; information provided by Shivani GautamKalyani Rajendran, M Phil (2016-18) English DUFeba Rasheed, M Phil (2015-2017) English DUNamra Sultan, MA (2013-2015), M Phil (2015-17), English DU; currently PhD, English DUMus’ab Abdul Salam, M Phil (2015-17), English DUBrian H. Singson, MA (2014-2016) English DUAman Kumar, MA (2015-2017) English DUAzhar Uddin Sahaji MA (2013-2015), English DUAnderson Glashan, M Phil (2014-2016), English, DUAnubhav Pradhan, MA (2010-2012), English DUShama Jan, MPhil. 2017-2019, English, DUArpita Sarkar, MPhil 2014-2016, English, DU,Rachit Anand, MA (2011-2013), M Phil (2013-2015), English DUAyushi Gupta, M.A. English, 2016-2018, DUDr Sapna Dudeja, M.A. (2014-2016), English DUAshima Jose, MA (2015-2017), English DU; currently, PhD in Cultural Studies, EFLU, HyderabadPreeti Singh, MA (2017-2019), English DUAnkita Sadhukhan, MA (2019-2021) HIstory, DUSumithra VM, MA (2017-2019) English, DUDipank, MA (2015-2017) English DU; currently, M Phil (2018-2020), CIL, DURitu Jangid, MA (2016-2018), English DUStudents of the Department of History, Miranda House, 2018-21: 40 students in this batch. Information conveyed by Gitanjali Malik, BA History, Miranda House.Students of Department of English, Miranda House, 2018-21: 80 students in this batch; information provided by Gitanjali Malik, BA History, Miranda House.Ishwari Arambam MA English, 2016-2018, DUSanjukta Das Bhowmick, MA (2015-2017), English DUPinki Bhatti, MA (2015-2017), English DUIra Pundeer, MA (2012-2014), English DUPragya Bharti, MA (2018-2020), English, DUKanika Ahuja, MA (2018-2020), English DUSreya Ann Oommen, currently, PhD, English DUAmbika Madhur, MA (2015-2017), English DUAnisha Koshy, MA (2016-2018), English DUAnurag Anand, MA (2018-2020), East Asian StudiesSudeshna Rana, MA (2016-2018), English DUAfsha Naaz, MA (2017-2019), English DUAbhinash Dash Choudhury, BA English (2015-2018) Ramjas College; currently, MA Comp Lit, Jadavpur UniversityRituparna Sengupta, MA (2010-2012), English DU; currently, PhD, Dept of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT DelhiHemant Kumar, MA (2010-2012), English DUSukriti Khurana, MA (2010-2012), English DUHimanshi Sharma, MA (2013-2015), English DUSudeshna Rana, MA (2016-2018), English DUSuman Bhagchandani, currently PhD English, Jamia Milia IslamiaRitwik Balo, currently PhD English, Jadavpur UniversityDr Gurram Seetaramulu, currently independent researcher; EFLU alumniMeenakshi Yadav, M Phil (2016-2018)Grace Mariam Raju, MA (2013-2015), English DUAnugya, M Phil, (2015-2017) English DUNeerav, M Phil (2010-2012), English DUAkanksha Singh. MA English (2012-2014)Tabish Bhatt, MA (2013-2015) English DU; currently, PhD, English DUVishal Sharma, MA History, 2019-2021, DUAnam Fatima, MA English 2016-2018, DURajarshi Roy, MPhil English 2018-2020, Jadavpur UniversityAjit Anand, MA English 2011-2013, DUTanvi Chowdhary, MA English, 2018-2020, DUDevika N, PhD scholar, JNUShweta Gupta, MA English, 2019-2021, DUAkshit Goyal, Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), USAHemchandra Nameirakpam, MPhil English, 2014-2016, DUDeepanshu Mahajan, MPhil English, 2017-2019, DUPratyosh Gogoi, MPhil English, 2017-2019, DULinthoingambi Leimapokpam, MPhil English, 2017-2019, DUPechimayum Bidyarani Devi, MA English, 2013-2015.Gurpreet Kaur, MPhil English, 2017-2019, DUJyoti Raj Boken, MA English, 2014-2016, DUDebalina Pal, MPhil English, 2017-2019, DUShweta Kushwaha, M Phil (2016-2018), English DUAnukriti Agarwal, M Phil (2015-2017), English DUShweta Chandrasekhar, MA (2011-13), M Phil (2013-2105), English DU; currently, PhD (University of Massachusetts, Amherst)Anjali, M Phil (2015-2017), English DUSoibam Haripriya, PhD, Sociology, DU, 2016; currently Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Conflict and development studies, Ghent universityRajesh Kumar, MA (2013-15) English DU; currently, PhD, Aligarh Muslim universityStacy Vinar, MA in Global History, Freie University and Humboldt University, Berlin, GermanyIzabel Kickner, Bachelors in Biology and Public Health, Bard College, New York, USAChaeri Lee, MA in Global History, Freie University and Humboldt University, Berlin, GermanyMary Walle, MA in Global History, Freie University and Humboldt University, Berlin, GermanyAnustup Basu, Associate Professor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Arnav Sen, BA(H) English, 2019-2021,DUIshaan Goel, A.(H) Economics, 2019-2022, Hindu College, DU Pinki, BA(H) English, MA English (2012-2017), Hansraj College, DU Maitriyee Zaveri, BA(H) English, MA English (2012-2017), DU Victor Ranjan Shah, BA(H) English, MA English, MPhil (2012-2019), DU Vaishali Gehlot, BA(H) English, MA English (2012-2019), DU Amandeep Kaur, BA(H) English, MA English (2012-2019), DUTejaswini Soni, B.A.(hons) English (2016-19),Miranda House, DUAiswarya S. M.Phil. English, 2016-2018, D.UDr. P N Malleswari, post doctoral fellow, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh .Neha Mimroth, MA English, 2018-2020, DUJenusha Janarthanan, MA English, 2018-2020, DUTapasya, MA English (2015- 2017)Himanshi Sharma, MPhil English, 2015-17, DUPurandhya Sharma, MA English (2014-16)Nisha Nirwal, MA English (2014-2016)Pamziuliu Gonmei, MA & MPhil English (2014-2016, 2017-2019)Laveena Behl MA English (2015-17)Devlina Datta MA English (2014-2016)Nishtha Relan, MA English (2014-2016)Bedotroyee Bhattacharjee, MA English (2014-2016)Divya Chakraborty, MA English (2014-2016)Shuchi Rajpal, MA English (2014-2016)Tanvi Hans (MA English:2014-2016)Disha Singh, MA English (2014-17) DUSharanya Dutta, MA English (2014-2016)Tanushree Ganguly, MA English (2014-2016)Chetna Goswami ( MA English: 2014-2016)Mohd Nabeel, MA English (2015-17)Tanay Yadav, MA English (2014-2016)Anna George, MA English (2014-16)Kanika Singh, MA English (2014-16)Priya lamba, MA English (2014-2016)N K Vinutha, MA English (2014-2016)Nitika Gulati, MA English (2015-17)Ria Das, MA English (2014-2016)Saurabh, MA English (2014-17)Archna Tanwar, MA English (2014-2016)Rebecca John. MA English ( 2014-16)Lanuangla Tsudir MA English 2014-16Arpita Roy, MA (2014-2016), DUKhagemba Ningthoujam, MA English (2013-15 )Supurna Dasgupta, MA English (2012-2014), MPhil English (2014-2016)Mehak Sawhney, MA English (2012-2014), MPhil English (2014-2016)Urvashi Vashist, MA (2006-2008), English DUChandrashekhar Yadav (MA English 2015-17 Delhi University)Snehal Anni MA English (2015-17), DUYagya Shreyasi, B.A (Hons.) English (2009-12), DUShreya, B.A. English (H), Miranda House (2016-19)Neeru Jaiswal, MA( 2008-2010), Mphil English (2010-2012)Paikhomba Ningthoujam, MA Political science (2014-16), DU.Debbie Lakshmi Baishya, PhD (2017- present)Nandita Tiwari, MA (2007-09)Saheli Bakshi MA (2012-14), MPhil (2015-17)Sreya Ann Oommen, MPhil (2016-18), PhD (–present)Korvi Vinayakala, PhD (2013– present)517.Nilza Angmo, MA (2007-09)55518, Kashish Yadav, MPhil (2016-18)Sameera Mehta, MA (2013-15)Sanjana Rani, MPhil (2013-15)Azharuddin Khan, MA (2012-14), MPhil (2014-16)Nida Arif, PhD (2017- present)Mohd Aleem Qureishi, MPhil (2013-15)Shikha Kothiyal MA (2013-15), Mphil (2016-18)Nirnoy Roy, MPhil (2016-18)Deeksha Suri, MA (2015-17)527.Nupur Mittal MA (2009-11), MPhil (2011-13)Rafeeque Ck, PhD (2016– present)529. Sanjay Singh Ningombam, PhD (2013- — present)Parul Batra, MA (2007-09), MPhil (2010-12)Hemant Kumar, MA (2010-12)Ishneet, MA (2007-09)Sapna Kumari, PhD (2018— present)Udita Garg, MA (2013-15)Ashish Gautam, MA (2017-19)Mercy Jill Jill, MPhil (2016-18)Parikshit Singh Rawat, MA (2014-16)Aisha Shafi, MA (2006-08)Aman Nawaz, MA (2014-16), MPhil (2016-18)Neeharika Singh Lodhi, MA (2014-16)Rosy Yumnam, MA (2006-08), MPhil (2008-10) Rishabh Bhardwaj, BA(H) English, MAEnglish-(2012-2017), DUGarima Baruah, MPhil (2017-2019), DUTamanna Basu, MPhil (2017-2019), DUJaishree Kapur, MA (2013-15)Uday Kanungo, MA (2016-18)Arzoo Saha, MA English, 2017-2019A.P. Payal, MA (2010-2012) English DU; currently, PhD research scholar, DUAnju Parvathy, MA (2013-2015), English DUUrvashi Vashist, MA (2006-2008), English DUShama Jan, M. A.(2015-2017), M.Phil English (2017-2019), DUKhagemba Ningthoujam, MA (2013-2015) English DUTamanna Basu, M Phil (2017-2019), English DUGarima Baruah, M Phil (2017-2019), English DU§Hany Babu’s arrest is a blatant silencing of dissentOur colleague from Delhi University, Hany Babu, has become the 12th person to be arrested in the Bhima Koregaon case. The die had been cast perhaps when in September 2019 the Pune Police conducted an unlawful raid on his home, seizing his electronic devices and books, without even deigning to follow requisite procedure. For the past two and a half years, the Pune police first, and now the NIA, have been conducting a blatant witch hunt in the name of investigations in the Bhima Koregaon Elgar Parishad case – raiding and arresting activists, academics and even lawyers who have stood with the most marginalised.Behind all the bombast and the planted stories that appear in pliant media outlets, it will do us well to remember what precisely the Bhima Koregaon case is. In December 2017, when a range of Ambedkarite organisations called for a commemoration of the 200th anniversary of victory of the Mahar regiment over Peshwa’s forces, through cultural programmes and marches, Hindutva groups led by Milind Ekbote and Shambaji Bhide unleashed a reign of terror on Dalits who were gathering for the celebrations. While one FIR was booked by the Pune (rural) police to investigate Ekbote’s and Bhide’s role in fomenting violence against Dalits – the two leaders have been treated with infinite indulgence, with Ekbote arrested ever so briefly, and Bhide never at all. On the other hand, the Pune (city) police booked an FIR against the Elgar Parishad and went on to claim a larger, near apocalyptic conspiracy – so enormous in fact that the police conducted multi-city shock and awe raids and arrests over days in 2018. The police made stunning claims, including that those arrested – poets, trade unionists, writers, and academics – had been planning to assassinate the Prime Minister. Of course, these claims remained grist for their demonization on prime time television shows, as the government itself conceded in the Supreme Court (in Romila Thapar vs Union of India) that it had no evidence to link the accused to any such plot.The NIA’s press statement about Hany Babu’s arrest reveals the utter lack of foundation of any case against him, and indeed against Elgar Parishad. The press statement makes reference to vague allegations (“propagating Naxal activities [sic] and Maoist ideology”) totally unconnected to anything concrete. The best allegations the NIA can come up against the Elgar Parishad is that it “encouraged unlawful activity”.The only unlawful activity that has taken place – in plain view, for everyone to see – was the violent attack on Dalits by Ekbote’s, and Bhide’s goons, which the NIA and its masters are clearly uninterested in pursuing. Their interest is only in whitewashing the actual violence that took place, and to supplant instead a narrative of danger posed by so-called ‘Urban Naxals’ – a catch-all category in which all those who question, dissent, and refuse to buy the fairy tales being peddled to us, are to be corralled. As Hany Babu said in an interview to a magazine after the raid at his house, “if you are in a University and if you oppose state policy in any way, then you can be targeted”.The Bhima Koregaon case is an instrument of silencing us all into submission. It is no coincidence that Hany Babu had been active in the anti-caste movement, as well a dogged campaigner for the release of Dr. G.N. Saibaba, another academic from Delhi University.Hany Babu’s arrest is indicative of the way in which this case has been instituted from the very beginning. We appeal to all democratic minded individuals, organisations and political parties to raise their voice against this systematic hounding of academics and activists, and this wholesale criminalization of ideas.Released by:Jamia Teachers’ Solidarity AssociationNote: This article was updated on April 20, 2023.
