UCU statement on response to student protests in India

'The University and College Union (UCU) condemns the brutal crackdown on student protests in India. Students have the right to peaceful protest, and violence against those who are protesting peacefully is disproportionate and unjustified.

'UCU offers solidarity to students and academics engaged in peaceful protest across India. We urge the Indian government to fully investigate allegations of violence and sexual harassment by police against students at institutions including Jamia Millia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University.

'We are concerned that the new Citizenship Amendment Act which has sparked the protests has been deemed "fundamentally discriminatory in nature" by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We urge the Government of India to respect the right to peaceful protest, as set out in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and review their approach in policing the protests in order to de-escalate the situation.'