India’s student body slams police action against protesters in Patna
Patna : The All India Students’ Federation (AISF) has strongly condemned the use of force by Indian police against student protesters and demanded strict action against those responsible for the vandalisation of statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Shillong, Bihar.
According to Kashmir Media Service, AISF members, along with other student groups, marched toward the Bihar Chief Minister’s residence and Raj Bhavan in Patna to demand job reforms, exam transparency and student rights.
Police used barricades and water cannons to stop the protesters. Multiple demonstrators were detained. During the protest, police were seen dragging AISF Bihar State Vice-President Com. Sabina Khatun and Com. Jahnvi, who had been on a hunger strike for nine days, along with other women students.
The AISF National Council said “no grievance can justify violence, vandalism or disrespect towards Indian icons” and called for accountability in the Shillong incident.
The Council also stated that “such police repression against students fighting for their rights is unacceptable” and asserted that “democratic protest is a right, not a crime.”
Student leaders stressed that peaceful assembly and dissent are fundamental democratic rights, and that law enforcement agencies are expected to handle protests with restraint rather than resorting to physical coercion.
