Cotton University Marks 1-Month of Anti-CAA Struggle with Photo Exhibition

By: Rana Pratap Saikia

Displaying a collection of photographs from the protests against the controversial amendment of the Citizenship Act, the students of Cotton University on January 11 observed the one-month of the agitation against the CAA, that was passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 11, and came into effect on January 10.

Staging a protest within the University campus under the appellation Chattra Vidroh (Student protest), the students of the historic University reiterated their stand against the CAA, that officially came into effect on Friday.

[caption id="attachment_50044" align="alignnone" width="626"] A passer-by takes a glance at the Cottonians' photo protest[/caption]

Lauding the students for continuing the struggle against the Bill-turned-Act, Assam musician and youth icon, Zubeen Garg, tweeted, "It's been a more than a month of resisting, retaliating, revolting. They don't listen. They don't care. And we don't give up. Students of Assam have shown the guts and dedication. This video is from Cotton University. Cottonians, have my salaam."

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Meanwhile, expressing his distaste for the current Government's policies, a Cottonian stated, "We have displayed the photos of the student protesters here today. In Assam, only Assamese will rule."

"How dare they impose GST on Artistes on the occasion of Bihu? This is our Bihu. We will not let them make Bihu another mode of Business. We will not accept. This Fascist Modi govt will not be entertained here", the student further added, lambasting the Government's policy to impose GST on Bihu artists.

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In the meantime, the protests against the CAA are continuing in several parts of the country, and many of the protests have been lauded for their embracing of 'ahimsa'.

The protest in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh, for instance, has been marked by its strong presence of Muslim women, who have not budget from the protest ground since December 14, fearing that their rights are being eroded by the ruling party.

In Bangalore, which has also seen its fair share of protests, a recent highlight was the 101-year-old freedom fighter, Harohalli Srinivasaiah Doreswamy, joining a hunger strike, who later broke his fast by drinking chikled coconut water.

In the midst of the nationwide protests, unrest has been experienced in Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNU), where masked assailants were responsible for beating students and teachers alike with sticks and rods. Aishe Ghose, the student union president, who has been at the forefront of the protests on campus against hostel fee hike, was also brutally assaulted. However, the Delhi Police has named her among 9 suspects being accused of stirring up the trouble.

The students in Cotton, too, have extended solidarity to their JNU brethren. In a recent display of condemnation against the beating inflicted on the students, the Cotton students' fraternity strung up black flags on their gate as a mark of protest.

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