Students Against CWG : Press Release

PRESS RELEASE

Today, 13th October 2010, around 250 students of Jawaharlal Nehru University took out a march from the university to nearby slum outside the university. The students were protesting against the hiding of the slums from public view by placing view cutters of the Common Wealth Games around them. In a measure to ‘beautify’ the city the Delhi Govt. has put up Common Wealth banners to hide the slums. Two days back some students of JNU visited the slums and had spoken to residents to find out the difficulties they are facing by this act of hiding their existence in the city. The residents informed the students that to move in and out of the slums they are being forced to show slips and this has caused them great difficulties to procure basic provisions and also to go out for their daily work. Further they said that the attempt to cover them and monitor their movements made them feel like they were living in a prison rather in a city.

The students of JNU took their protest march to this slum, formed a human chain and distributed pamphlets among the general public informing them about the dark realities of the Common Wealth Games and protested peacefully. The students raised slogans against the CWG as a symbol of British colonial legacy, the pro- rich attitude of the Delhi and Central Govt., violation of workers rights, displacement of migrant workers, denial of hostel facilities to students and the overall attempt to portray the Common Wealth Games as a symbol of ‘vibrant’ India while ignoring the dark realities caused by the games.The students were also joined by residents of the slums during their protest. While the students were peacefully protesting Delhi Police arrived and threatened to arrest the students for protesting against the Common Wealth Games. Shephalika Shekhar, President of JNU AISA unit said, ‘ It is extremely shameful that the ruling classes of the country continue to celebrate the colonial legacy at the cost of livelihood and dignity of the poor’. Abhishek, Vice President of JNU AISA unit said, ‘ This is the most starking example of untouchability and social apartheid forcing the toiling masses of the country towards ghettoisation.

The students were also joined by Prof. Kamal Mitra Chenoy and Dr. Happymon Jacob of the School of International Studies JNU, in the protest march. They expressed their solidarity with the movement and criticised the anti poor policies of the UPA Govt.

Sucheta De

All India Students Association (AISA)

9868383692

13/10/10