Madras University Students Protesting CAA Detained, Let Off Later

Madras University has been closed till 23 December by the management.

(Photo: Smitha TK/The Quint)

Students of Madras University, who were staging a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and NRC were detained by the Chennai police on Wednesday, 18 December, night.

About 17 students were taken to the Triplicane police station and then let off after signing their names at the station. No FIR was registered.

In solidarity with the students of Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), the students of Madras University continued their protest for three consecutive day, against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The students strongly condemned the AIADMK-led state government for extending support to a legislation ‘that discriminates people according to their religion.’

The students of the university began protesting on Monday, 16 December. Following continuous protests, police entered the campus and the management announced that the college will be closed till 23 December. The university had already declared holidays for Christmas and New Year from 24 December to 1 January.

However, this morning when students tried to enter campus to continue with the protest, they were barred entry. A handful of students continue to raise slogans from inside.

‘I am a Student Till I Die:’ Kamal Haasan, Makkal Needhi Maiam

Makkal Needhi Maiam President Kamal Haasan also reached the university, but wasn’t allowed inside. He spoke to the students protesting inside.

“I am a student till I die. Our students have been made refugees here. This is beyond the party. This is our responsibility. Today’s news is tomorrow’s history. If the law is not useful for the people, it should get removed. We are moving towards dictatorship. The drama has begun. We should wake up. It’s a draconian control.” 

Kamal Haasan, Makkal Needhi Maiam President

Meanwhile, the police have barricaded the media and placed them at a distance from the gates.

The bone of contention for protests in Chennai, in addition to immigrant Muslims not being included, is the fact that Sri Lanka has not been included in the CAA, therefore excluding Sri Lankan Tamils.

String of Protests Across Colleges in Chennai

Tension between the students and police escalated on Tuesday evening when students from colleges affiliated to Madras University were denied entry into its campus and not allowed to join in the protest. Police is said to have tightened security around the campus after over 100 students from other parts of the city had joined the protest.

According to a few students, two students have been arrested and are yet to be released.

Around 19 colleges, including Loyola, Pachayappas, Presidency, Stella Maris and Sriram, are affiliated to the university.

After holding talks with the students, the management of Madras University declared a holiday till 23 December. Winter holidays begin from 24 December, meaning that the college will reopen only on 1 January 2020.

According to a TOI report, exams that were to be held before Christmas stand postponed till after 1 January.

More Students Join Protests, Kamal Slams AIADMK and Centre

Students of Jama university protesting against CAA.(Photo: Smitha T K / The Quint)

Students of Jamal University in Trichy held protests on Tuesday, in solidarity with Madras University and IIT-M.

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, too, slammed the AIADMK for supporting CAA, calling the government a 'puppet' of the Centre.

The bone of contention for protests in Chennai, in addition to immigrant Muslims not being included, is the fact that Sri Lanka has not been included in the CAA, therefore excluding Sri Lankan Tamils.