CAA protests: ABVP to reach out to youth

After multiple violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the national capital, the RSS student wing Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) has decided to jump into the fray and reach out to students to create awareness over the CAA.

The students' body plans to rope in lawyers, celebrities and even leading politicians to address students across all universities in the national capital. The aim behind this would be make sure that rumours regarding the CAA are debunked.

"The Left-wing organisations are trying to spread false facts and news regarding the newly-passed Act just to gain ground in the political discourse. ABVP that has always stood for democracy will not let that happen," Ashutosh Mishra, state media incharge of the student wing, told IANS.

"We will ask lawyers to explain the law, all false claims will be debunked by them. But if necessary we will also bring in celebrities who understand the law and care for the nation, senior politicians will also be contacted if necessary," Mishra added.

Sources in the outfit who wished anonymity claimed that the strategy will also implemented across the nation as the "top leaders" of the outfit have decided to monitor each step.

"We have been instructed to reach as many students as possible and make sure that the myths regarding the Act are debunked as soon as possible," a national level leader of ABVP said.

The student body has already started to up the ante on social media with pictures clearing doubts over various aspects of the Act.

The strategy comes after the national capital witnessed multiple protests against the CAA, however many of these protests turned violent forcing security forces to use tear gas and baton against protesters.

In one such protest by students of Jamia Millia Islamia and locals, petrol bombs were hurled on police at New Friends Colony near Jamia Millia Islamia by protesters as they became violent during demonstrations against the Citizenship Amendment Act on Sunday.

"The mob hurled petrol bombs to target police personnel deployed in the areas and torch vehicles, apart from pelting stones and empty glass bottles," said the Delhi Police FIR registered over violence by Jamia students and locals protesting on Sunday.

The police has also booked former Congress legislator Asif Muhammad Khan, Aam Aadmi Party student wing -- Chatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti - leader Kasim Usmani and All India Students' Association (AISA) leader Chandan Kumar and others for arson and violence during the protests.

The police had registered two cases for violence, arson, and damaging public property under various sections of the Indian Penal Code. The police said that the crowd was led by local politicians Ashu Khan, Mustafa and Haider as well as AISA member Chandan Kumar, SIO member Asif Tanha, and CYSS member Kasim Usmani and former Congress legislator Asif Muhammad Khan.

Later on Tuesday, in another violent protest, Seelampur area witnessed heavy stone pelting by protesters who had hit the road against the Act. It was during this protest that various policemen and locals were also injured. IANS