Footage shows cops beating Jamia students, but leaves questions unanswered
What's the story
Two months after violence broke out inside Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University, a new CCTV footage shows that cops allegedly barged into the library and beat students with batons. Released by Jamia Coordination Committee on Saturday, the 49-second-clip earned Delhi Police ire. But the footage raises questions like why were students wearing "masks". The entire incident looked staged to many. Here's more.
Background
Protest against CAA turned violent, Delhi Police went on rampage
In December, Jamia students took out a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) but soon the march took a violent turn after buses were torched and public property vandalized. Subsequently, cops entered the campus in South Delhi, allegedly lathi-charged students, and took over 30 in detention. After outrage, the detained students were released but the entire turn of events got cops criticism.
New video
Dressed in riot gear, personnel allegedly unleashed horror on students
Now weeks later, another video has shown the other side of the story. In the video, cops, dressed in riot gear were seen entering the university's Old Reading Hall (M. Phil Section) and beating students who were apparently reading. Seeing them, a couple of students ran for cover. The video was released by the Jamia Coordination Committee, a group of alumni and students.
Twitter Post
You can watch the clip here
Exclusive CCTV Footage of Police Brutality in Old Reading Hall, First floor-M.A/M.Phill Section on
— Jamia Coordination Committee (@Jamia_JCC) February 15, 2020
15/12/2019
Shame on you @DelhiPolice @ndtvindia @ttindia @tehseenp @RanaAyyub @Mdzeeshanayyub @ReallySwara @ANI @CNN @ReutersIndia @AltNews @BBCHindi @the_hindu @TheQuint @BDUTT pic.twitter.com/q2Z9Xq7lxv
Questions
However, the clip has raised some questions
As soon as the video surfaced, Delhi Police was berated and #ShameOnDelhiPolice remained a top trend on Twitter. Intellectuals, journalists, and politicians condemned the action in strong words. However, some wondered why the library was largely vacant. The fact that one of the "students" who was allegedly thrashed was hiding his face with a handkerchief also raised suspicions. Was he really a student?
Statement
Earlier, Delhi Police said cops didn't enter the library
When the despicable violence happened, Delhi Police said its officers hadn't entered the library. "A DCP-rank officer took a video in which it is shown that students were asked to leave the library... they were then taken to a safe place with their bags on their heads so that they would not be hit by stones. Our force did not enter the library," an officer had said.
Quote
Library may have been affected as collateral damage: Officer
"Tear gas shells may have entered library as they were being thrown from a distance and that is collateral damage in a situation like this. A DCP-rank officer was leading the force and it wasn't like the force was without a head," the officer said.
Reaction
Home Minister Amit Shah lied: Priyanka Gandhi Vadra
Senior Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra shared the clip, slammed Delhi Police and said Home Ministry misled everyone. "Home Minister (Amit Shah) and Delhi Police had lied that they had not entered the library, thrashed the students. After watching this video, if no action is taken against police action at Jamia... the intention of the government will be exposed," she wrote in Hindi.
Twitter Post
Delhi Police said the matter will be investigated
Special Commissioner (Crime) Praveer Ranjan: We have taken cognizance of the latest video(of December 15) of Jamia Millia Islamia University(library) which has surfaced now, we will investigate it. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/Zi6A5eASNk
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2020