'It's an attack on the right to dissent': JNU professors speak on assault by 'lawyers' inside the courtroom
Professors from JNU narrated how they were beaten up, harassed and pushed around by sloganeering 'lawyers' who termed them anti-nationals.
As if its action on students was not enough, Delhi Police turned into a mute spectator on Monday when teachers, students, activists and even journalists were beaten up by "lawyers" inside the Patiala House court premises, where the hearing for the Jawaharlal Nehru University students' union president Kanhaiya Kumar was supposed to take place.
As announced during Sunday's meeting when a human chain was formed in solidarity, senior professors and teachers from JNU had gathered inside the court complex to attend Kumar's hearing and provide him support. However, the peace inside the courtroom didn't last long as teachers said that a bunch of "lawyers" who were escorted by the police came inside and charged at them asking them to "clear out the courtroom" because the teachers were "desh-drohis" (anti-nationals).
"This wasn't just lawyers trying to find a seat in the courtroom. They were chanting slogans and they started pushing teachers out physically," said Ayesha Kidwai on Monday while addressing students and the media at JNU on day's events. "Some of us refused to move while others were pushed out. Two professors were beaten, they were surrounded by lawyers but the police was merely watching and doing nothing."
Kidwai went on to say that "apparently the Constitution of India didn't apply to Patiala Court" evincing slogans of "shame!" from the students gathered around her. She went on to describe how professors were hit by lawyers and alleged that many teachers were sexually harassed inside the court complex itself while the police didn't intervene even as they cried for help.
"The faculty ultimately came back to the courtroom and refused to move," Kidwai added. "I have been touched by the nation," she added sarcastically, referring to the sexual harassment teachers reported that they faced.
Professor Himanshu also spoke to students and assured them that Kanhaiya Kumar is safe and sound. In the above video, he is seen reminding them that Kumar's custody has been extended for two days and that his case hasn't been transferred to the National Investigation Agency.