DUTA condemns police action on students and teachers at Delhi university protest against Modi

The Times of India - 8 Feb 2013

Modi's SRCC visit: DUTA condemns police action on students and teachers
by Manash Pratim Gohain, TNN

NEW DELHI: The Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) condemns the "absolutely unprovoked and brutal" police action against students and teachers who had assembled outside Shri Ram College of Commerce to protest against Guharat chief Minister Narendra Modi's visit on Wednesday.

Modi was invited by the college to deliver the annual Shri Ram memorial lecture. According to a statement issued, DUTA, blamed Delhi Police for the "violent attack on the democratic right of protest." The teachers' body also said that the Delhi University and SRCC authorities have also failed to ensure that people are allowed to express themselves freely and fairly.

"The attempt to suppress the non-violent protests through water cannons and lathicharge demonstrate the growing illiberalism of police and the university authorities who lacked the sensitivity and confidence to handle the protests in a mature way," the statement stated. DUTA also alleged that Delhi police was involved in indignities that women-protesters were subjected to, as many of its constables deployed outside SRCC were seen to be making lewd and sexist remarks at female students and teachers.

"Instead of admitting its failure to rein in the renegade police constables who led the charge against the hapless students and teachers, the police has proceeded to book eight students and one teacher on charges of rioting and causing damage to public property." The DUTA expressed its solidarity with the students and teachers who have received injuries owing to the brutalities and have been booked.