We must take some time out to update everyone regarding the MahaMichhil that took place yesterday. What was most heartening was to see the sheer number of people who, despite injuries, despite the rain, despite a thousand other inconveniences, was there with us with a 100% commitment in spirit and thought. We were humbled that so many people were willing to join us in this struggle, and this rally (an unofficial count puts the numbers anywhere between 60 thousand to 1 lakh people!) will be one that will be remember in Kolkata for a long while. The rally was held in order to submit a deputation to the Honourable Governor of West Bengal (who is the de facto Chancellor of Jadavpur University), informing him of the sequence of events from the 28th of August to the 17th of September 2014, and asking him to take action against the VC for his condemnable role in bringing about the police brutalities. [The full letter is publicly available here: scribd/doc/240347761/Letter-to-the-Chancellor-to-be-given-today-after-the-Grand-Rally-Nandan-to-Rajbhavan-20-9-2014]. Following the massive rally, a 8 member delegation went in to meet the Governer with the deputation. The Governer not only carefully read the deputation before the delegation, but engaged in a one-and-a-half hour dialogue with the delegation (something that Vice-Chancellor clearly said was below his dignity!) Following this discussion, he has promised us the following: 1) He has expressed his agreement with the demand for a fair and thorough investigation that will then strictly punish those guilty of the crimes committed on 28th August 2014. He is seriously considering reconstructing and reforming the Investigative Committee, using the full power that his office bears. 2) He has ensured that those responsible for the police violence on the 17th of September will be brought to justice. He has further promised to issue an executive order to withdraw all cases that may be filed against those who were illegally forced to sign a blank ARREST MEMO by the police on the night/early morning of the 17th of September 2014. 3) He has promised to support us in our struggle to restore peace to the campus, and prevent any further instances of state-sponsored violence occurring in the campus again. We are truly grateful for the time he took out of his busy schedule to give us this appointment, and allow such a fruitful dialogue to occur. Everyday we receive further messages of solidarity from all around the country (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, etc.) as well as abroad, and it has become clear that our struggle is one that transcends all barriers of universities/colleges and cities and nations. Despite the force and repression used by the political classes, this movement has grown in response, to tackle all challenges head on and to prevent such incidents from ever occurring again. This is not a struggle by an elitist group of university students who belong to a supposedly apolitical generation. This is a struggle that is faced by EVERYONE, it is a struggle for the right of survival and to be treated with the basic human dignity that we are deprived of with every act of violence committed, every act of aggression used to keep us quiet. We have a long way to go, and there is no doubt that we will face many hurdles, many challenges, many more difficulties than can be conceived. But every step of the way, we require your help, your support, your guidance. With every new voice raised in solidarity, with every new set of feet that walks with us, we gain a new ally, a new perspective, a new strength. We shall not stop, we shall not tire, we shall not give in! Hok hok #hokkolorob !
Posted on: Sun, 21 Sep 2014 15:52:10 +0000
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