By TCN News,
New Delhi: The Delhi-based Association for Protection of Civil Rights (APCR) has condemned Jamia Millia Islamia for sending a legal notice of defamation worth Rs. 50 lakh to Afroz Alam Sahil and termed it as harassment to the RTI activist and its own student.
“As Afroz Alam Sahil is constantly questioning Jamia’s administration through RTI so this is an open attempt to suppress the voice of dissent as well as freedom of speech,” said Akhlak Ahmad, Secretary, Delhi Chapter, APCR.
“Everybody knows that since last six months, he had started a campaign to ensure democratic rights for students of Jamia Millia Islamia where election of Students Union is not allowed since 2006. There are many issues which include corruption, fellowships, hostel allotment, health services and security for women students which he raised by his RTI applications, campaigning letters, handbills and letters to professors and faculty members,” Ahmad said.
APCR has demanded Jamia to withdraw its legal notice with immediate effect to ensure freedom of speech and to encourage its own outstanding student. Instead of sending legal notice, Jamia should clarify the issues raised by Sahil, Ahmed said.
At Prime Time program on NDTV last week, Sahil had alleged Jamia swindled Rs 10 lakh that was given by Samajwadi Party as legal aid to Jamia students picked up after the infamous Batla House encounter of 19th Sep. 2008.
Jamia in the legal notice denied the charge and asked Sahil to publish apology in national dailies and on NDTV, failing which he will have to face defamation suit of worth Rs 50 lakh.