Mumbai: Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap and lyricist Vishal Dadlani joined the ongoing protests being organised by students at the Gateway of India against the violence in Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) campus on January 5.
While Kashyap said that he was there at the protest site to show his solidarity with the students and blamed the government for the attacks in JNU campus, Dadlani said that he was there in support of a secular India.
"I watched the protests which were going on here and decided to join the students. The government does not want to arrest the perpetrators because they are their own people. The police did not enter JNU to stop the violence but entered the Jamia Millia Islamia where they beat up the students," Kashyap told reporters on Monday night.
"We are here in support of a secular India, there is no other motive behind me joining this protest. One India for all," Dadlani told reporters here.
Scores of students have continued their protest at the Gateway of India here on Monday against the violence which broke out at the campus of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi on January 5.
Meanwhile, Kolkata's Jadavpur University, known for its volatile student politics, was also another centre of the protests. Through the day, students brought out processions and rallies in the campus and its neighbouring areas.
In the afternoon, hundreds of JU students from the Arts faculty led by the SFI took out a colourful protest march from the campus. With songs and slogans of "Hum Chin ke lenge Azaadi" and "Hallabol Hallabol" on their lips, they went around the campus beating the daffli and clapping in rhythm. A JNU student, who was in the city on leave, also joined the march.
"My friends in JNU are in a panic. Also, they are seething in a rage after the dastardly attack. I couldn't sit at home and joined the protest here," she said.
Later, students from all streams rallied together, raising incessant slogans and moving around the campus with a banner "Tomar buke Nathuram, Amar buke Khudiram" (In your heart is Nathuram, in my heart is Khudiram)" in the vanguard. Music director Debojyoti Mishra and filmmaker Aneek Dutta joined the students.
"My age is not the same as yours. But the JNU violence has ignited a fire in me whose age is the same as yours. I believe hitting the streets today won't be in vain. I have come here as a student. You go ahead with your struggle," said an emotional Mishra.
"I won't ask you to jump into the protests with sticks and spears. Because then they will seize on the opportunity. But continue a structured movement. We will be with you", Dutta said.
The students who are from different colleges were sloganeering against the Central government and are exhibiting solidarity with the JNU students injured in yesterday's violence.
The students and activists had gathered here on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, soon after the reports of violence in JNU became public.
Placards with "We stand with JNU", "Stop attacks on students" written on them were also seen at the Gateway of India.
Politicians, cutting across party lines, had condemned the attack on students which had taken place in JNU on Sunday. They had urged the administration to take nab the culprits and take strict action against those found guilty.
More than 30 students have been taken to the AIIMS Trauma Centre after a masked mob entered the JNU and attacked them and professors with sticks and rods.
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