By Newsdesk, TwoCircles.net
The Federation of Aligarh Alumni Associations (FAAA), on behalf of its member associations across the United States, strongly condemn the use of excessive force against demonstrators across India, but more specifically against the students, faculty and staff of Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) and Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), New Delhi.
The citizens of India have fundamental rights to protest the patently discriminatory law (i.e. the Citizenship Amendment Act- CAA). In the current formulation, the CAB violates basic tenets of the Indian constitution and is morally repugnant to all conscientious Indians. The FAAA strongly demands that the government repeal the law immediately, or at the very least, amend the CAB to include all immigrants irrespective of race, religion, caste, creed, or nationality.
Whereas the preamble of the Indian Constitution states that India is a sovereign socialist secular republic. Secularism is one of the core principles of Indian democracy that provides equal freedom and respect to all religions. Thus, granting citizenship based on religion will jeopardize this core principle of the constitution. Whereas article 19 of the Constitution protects fundamental rights and guarantees six freedoms including the freedom to assemble. Use of excessive force by the government to intimidate demonstrators tantamount to violation of fundamental rights. Whereas article 19 of the Constitution also protects the freedom to expression. Depriving citizens of basic information either via disconnecting internet, monitoring social media accounts, or limiting information violates basic rights in a democracy. This is particularly important for India because it is the largest democracy in the world and its democratic setup is a matter of pride to all Indians. Whereas the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) protects universal human rights. In addition, the UN security council, at times, deals with human rights and has authority, through the Secretary-General to investigate human rights violations. The declaration protects the rights of every human being irrespective of citizenship status or national origin.
Implementation of CAA will have catastrophic human cost and will raise grave concerns for violation of basic human rights protected under the declaration. Whereas millions of immigrants from numerous countries are residing in India for decades. Most of these immigrants are economically vulnerable, socially downtrodden, and politically powerless. The children of these immigrants have not known any place other than India. Removing them from India would expose them to exploitation and catastrophic effects on their families. Whereas government must suppress ‘fake news’ or ‘false narrative’ advanced to harm certain sections of the society. The time is now to take decisive action and show the world that India is not the place for such activities and the government will prosecute anyone engaged in such activities to the fullest extent of the law.
Most migrants from Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh have not come to India due to religious persecution but to earn a livelihood for their families and provide decent living condition to their children. In fact, in the last five years, more migrants have come from Sri Lanka, Burma than any of the listed countries, the narrative provided in the ‘so-called press’ is completely devoid of facts. Supporting ones’ families and providing better education for their children is no crime and we must support them too. Whereas India has taken high moral ground and voiced concern against the suppression of human rights across the globe. India cannot afford to be a party to an immoral act and displace millions of immigrants, who have called India ‘home’ for decades. If India allows this to happen, it will be a travesty of justice and shortsightedness on the part of the Indian government.
This will be an inhumane act and will tarnish India’s image in the world. Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the FAAA believes:
1. Indian government must refrain from the use of excessive force against demonstrators and allow all peaceful demonstrations across India.
2. Indian government must repeal the CAB immediately
3. Alternatively, the Indian government must amend the CAB to include all immigrants irrespective of nationality, race, religion, caste or creed.
4. Indian government must safeguard the interest of all immigrants and afford them due process We stand with our students, faculty, and staff at AMU, JMI, and other places, and extend our moral support to all peaceful demonstrations.