Asif Tanha, a member of SIO, has been arrested by Delhi Police in connection with anti-CAA protests that erupted across the country after the BJP-led central government passed the controversial Act.
Asif was an active voice in the anti CAA-NRC movement that started at Jamia Millia Islamia. Asif, a student at Jamia, was arrested yesterday by Delhi police. The arrest of Asif is a continued witch-hunt of anti-CAA dissenters being arrested unabashedly amid the COVID-19 induced nation wide lockdown. Other arrested so far, among others, include Safoora Zargar, Meeran Haider, and Umar Khalid. Asif is the third student arrested from Jamia university since lockdown.
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SIO President Mr. Labeed Shafi said in his tweet that the arrest of Asif is another reminder that Delhi police is only interested in using this lockdown as a cover for illegal and baseless arrests.
Students organisations have condemned the arrest of Asif Tanha, and others. AISA and Solidarity Youth Movement (Kerala) have asked for immediate release of Tanha. United Against Hate (UAH), a Delhi-based human rights organisation, has come in his support and asked for his unconditional release.
Ladeeda Farzana, the shero of anti-CAA protest from Jamia, has tweeted that “Asif Tanha is a dear friend and has been a formidable presence in various protest grounds and events. The man was a rallying mobilizer for the protests at Jamia, a truly strong voice against injustice and untruths”.
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Two days before his arrest, the Delhi Police had raided his hostel room. He had been earlier called for interrogation as many as four times by the Special cell, and he had every time cooperated with the agency.
