DU Students Resist Sanghi-Feudal-Casteist Conspiracy Against Equity and Social Justice

On 13 February, a Sanghi-feudal-casteist attack unfolded at Delhi University during a protest by DU students demanding the implementation of UGC Equity Rules based on Rohith Act. What transpired that day exposed a pre-planned conspiracy by feudal-casteist forces against social justice, with deliberate attempts to demean and derail the movement. One of the tactics of this conspiracy, as witnessed earlier during protests at DU and Jantar Mantar, was the aggressive use of casteist slurs and abusive questioning by right-wing social media influencers masquerading as journalists, aimed at discrediting and humiliating the movement for social justice. Such incidents occurred in multiple protests, where certain right-wing social media influencers barged into the demonstrations for UGC equity rules and abusively asked protesters, “Pani nahi mila kya?” [Didn’t you get water?] — a casteist remark that mocks and insults the historic struggles of Dalits and other marginalised communities who were denied access to common water sources and wells by upper castes.

Amid the attack, comrades of All India Students’ Association (AISA) and other students organisations intervened and resisted the nefarious Sanghi conspiracy. Below is the statement from AISA the detailing the sequence of events that transpired in Delhi University.

Casteist oppressors are crying victim because the oppressed are demanding dignity — the curious case of Ruchi Tiwari and violence in Delhi University! Stop the casteist lies! Enact strengthened UGC Regulations against casteism!

All over the media and right wing ecosystems, yesterday's protest for implementation of the UGC Social Equity Regulations is being highlighted as an attack on upper caste people. A woman named Ruchi Tiwari, who has developed a notorious reputation of creating chaos and inciting violence in this social movement has taken a victim stage, while AISA activists Anjali and Neha are being targeted, getting rape and death threats constantly. It is nothing but a classic case of crying victim when the movement for dignity is taking centre stage in India society. We have seen this same gameplan during the Mandal agitations as well where casteist forces tried to play victim while spewing all forms of filth at people demanding dignity. 

AISA appeals to all those concerned with peace, justice and democracy to look at hard facts and place the narrative where it must be placed: why does the demand for equality trigger Sanghi forces so much?

TIMELINE OF FACTS:

1. On 12th February, ABVP goons attacked Historian S Irfan Habib while speaking on how RSS history refuses to acknowledge caste system at Arts Faculty in Samta Utsav organised by AISA. Stones were hurled and dustbin filled with water was thrown in the public meeting. Despite this, the organisers and the speaker remained calm and continued the programme. The perpetrators from ABVP have been identified and their videos have been publicly released by AISA on its handles and it was seen and condemned widely.
2. The stay on UGC Regulations has invoked widespread anger among the students and teachers from SC/ST/OBC communities. On 13th February, as part of the All India Vanchit Adhikar Divas, where over 100 campuses raised the demand for UGC Regulations, students of various organisations and movements held a public meeting at Arts Faculty. The meet was completely peaceful and organised.
3. During the public meeting, several miscreants tried to provoke, create chaos and incite violence. The protesters made sure that all of them were handed over to the police.
4. Ruchi Tiwari, who claims to be a journalist, but has constantly incited violence in protests for UGC Regulations came to the scene. She was accompanied by several men who hurled abuses at protesters. She immediately identified and started harassing Dalit journalist, Naveen. As Naveen has stated, AISA activists Anjali and Neha rushed to Naveen's defence to hand over Ruchi Tiwari to Delhi Police.
5. Two Videos have surfaced. In one, you can clearly see Ruchi Tiwari attacking Naveen and then hurling a punch at Anjali, who fell down. In another you can see Anjali and Neha holding Ruchi Tiwari trying to hand over her to the police. There is a reason why the second video is being circulated on mute by the castesit ecosystem. Because with audio, you can hear people saying, "maar ke bhaagi hai ye, isko police ke paas lekar jaana hai" [She attacked and tried to flee; take her to the police.]
6. Even after many disruptions by Ruchi Tiwari and her likes, the public meeting concluded peacefully by 5PM.
7. By 6:30PM, Anjali along AISA activists went to Maurice Nagar Police station to file a complaint against Ruchi Tiwari and her companions. At the police station, a mob was already gathered who identified Anjali from the protest and rushed after her inside the police station. AISA activists were rushed into a small room by the Delhi Police while the mob of around 50 people hurled abuses, rape threats and murder threats to the activists. For around 4 hours, four AISA activists were taken hostage inside the police station by the hate mob. 
   
8. Common students of Delhi and friends of the AISA activists who had been threatened inside the police station gathered outside Maurice Nagar Police Station. The police completely failed in controlling the mob of more than 200 casteist goons as can been seen in several videos that have been shared with the media. One can clearly see the mob raising slogans of 'goli maaro saalon ko', [shoot them] and 'brahmanvaad zindabaad' in a complete police presence. For hours, the mob continued its threats and intimidation at activists outside Maurice Nagar Police Station. 
   
9. At around 12 midnight, the police was able to clear the mob and complaints by AISA activists were filed against Ruchi Tiwari and her mob. The Activist were released and Anjali was taken for officiating the medico-legal certificate.

Since then, all across the right wing social media and mainstream media, we have seen violent calls against women activists and casteist abuses against the movement for dignity. 

Calls for equality will not be compromised in face of casteist anti-women slogans! AISA appeals to all justice loving people to call out hate and demand equality and dignity of marginalised groups in Universities!