Students of Harvard university expressed solidarity with their counterparts at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU). More than 100 students of Harvard University have written an open letter to the government of India, wherein they stressed that the “protest and dissent are inherent to democracy”.

Terming the police action on the students of these universities, they said it is a “violent suppression of protestors”. They also voiced concerns about the new Citizenship law. The letter further read, “Protests are inconvenient and disruptive, but they sustain the secular and democratic fabric of our nation.”

Here is the letter by the students of @Harvard condemning the crackdown on #Jamia, #AMU students. This is yet another “achievement” of the #Modi govt. #CAA2019 #CAAProtests pic.twitter.com/yYtLDdKQCF

— Soumendra (@soumenm86) December 17, 2019

“The violent suppression of protesters by the police, the use of teargas, lathi charges, and physical assault in response to peaceful dissent, and the police forces’ forceful entry into university campuses and consequent Internet blockades there are all deeply reprehensible,” the Hardvard students added.

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The clashes left a 60 students injured in AMU and about 50 in Jamia. 10 arrested from Jamia due the protests, who has criminal records and are not students.

Protests by students and others have erupted across the country over the new citizenship law that makes it easier for non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh to become Indian citizens. Critics say the law discriminates against Muslims and is against secular principles of the constitution.

Also read: Jamia Millia Islamia protests: 50 students detained

Source: NDTV