“Indians should collectively hang their heads in shame for providing the most precise definition of fascism”; Rana Ayyub
Activists, some opposition lawmakers, journalists, and social media commenters expressed shock, condemnation, and peaceful protests after the Prayagraj Development Authority demolished JNU student Afreen Fatima’s home. On Sunday, June 11, the Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union (JNUSU) held a demonstration on the JNU campus.
After police designated Fatima’s father, Javed Ahmad, a leader of the Welfare Party of India, as the “mastermind” of the June 10 rallies against Bharatiya Janata Party officials’ anti-Islam statements, Uttar Pradesh authorities razed his home.
K.K. Roy, Javed’s lawyer, previously told The Wire that the demolition, which took place just hours after Fatima received a notice — and while the rest of her family was in police prison – was carried out on dubious grounds.
Shashi Tharoor, a Congress MP, expressed his surprise at the announcement on Twitter, saying that “due process of law is crucial to democracy.”
“By targeting a certain group, executing demolition with a bulldozer, other malicious aggressive activities, crushing the demonstration, an atmosphere of fear and dread has been created,” Mayawati wrote in Hindi. This is unreasonable and unfair. The court must take note of the erroneous action of demolishing the dwellings in order to target the entire family.”
Several people questioned the legitimacy of such audacity, pointing out that the communal aspect of the event was on display for all to observe.
Journalist Rana Ayyub also took to social media expressing “The demolition of Afreen Fatima’s home sends a clear message to all opponents and dissenters of the Modi regime. This movie is the most accurate definition of fascism, and Indians should be ashamed of themselves collectively. We are a nation of petty vindictiveness”.
