I had been to the JNU Campus on 6th January to assess the situation following the brutal assault on the students and faculty members by a huge troop of armed goons the previous day (5th Jan). The goons were obviously hired by ABVP and their Parivar and had the apparent blessings of the Police (controlled by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs), the VC and the JNU administration. Ironically, the Police that failed to nab even a single member of the gang of goons that had conducted this criminal operation, either during this event or later, has filed criminal charges against the students seriously injured during the assaults. 

 I was in the campus once again on 7th Jan. The situation was not as gloomy as it was 24 hours ago.I met a few senior professors and spoke to a few prominent students. A protest was scheduled at 4 pm near Sabarmati Hostel which had witnessed some worst assaults. Along with the students, dozens of Media persons and a few leaders like D Raja, Sitaram Yechuri (both former MPs), Kanhaiah Kumar, Yogendra Yadav had gathered at the T Point. 

 I could somehow manage to speak exclusively to Yogendra Yadav, (President, Swaraj Abhiyan) for a few minutes and discuss about the ongoing nationwide agitations against NRC, CAA and NPR. Following are some of his insights on the current series of agitations in the country:

 Will the current spirit of protests against the controversial actions of the establishment be sustained over a long time?

I am sure the current mood is not going to die down soon. The spirit of fighting for justice and for protection of the basic constitutional rights will rather, rise and grow further during the days to come. Those who are engaged in the struggle to protect the constitution and defeat the Fascist conspiracies to derail it will use every available occasion to educate the masses and make them aware of the challenges ahead. 

 On 12th January for instance, people celebrating Vivekanada Jayanti will remember the statement made by Swami Vivekananda while addressing the World Parliament of Religions in Chicago in 1893. He said: “I am proud to belong to a nation which has sheltered the persecuted and refugees of all religions and all nations of the earth.”  That historical statement of Swami Vivekanada, in the context of the current debate on CAA will help people know how the policies of the current establishment are diametrically opposed to the vision of the great sage of the country. 

 The Nation will commemorate 17th January as Rohit Vemula day. The marginalised Communities will be reminded on that day that they are the most likely victims of NRC and other related measures introduced by the Government.

 23rd January happens to be the birthday of Subhas Chandra Bose the great freedom fighter who always advocated total and complete freedom. Remembering his life and sacrifices will provide great inspiration to all the Indians who are concerned about the threats posed by the Fascist elements to the freedom and the rights of the masses of this country.  

 26th January is the Republic day. Citizens committed to protect the Constitution and the values enshrined there in will hoist the National Flag in the midnight and will loudly read the preamble of the constitution at every nook and corner of the country.

'All India Human Chain' will be organised on 30th January, jointly by all the individuals and groups agitating against the divisive and dictatorial measures of the Modi-Shah regime. The focus will be on NRC.

 Do you have plans to bring together all the various groups that are separately protesting against NRC, CAA and NPR?

 There are mainly three different strands in the current movement;

 First, the agitation in Assam, where people across Communities have jointly demonstrated their opposition to NRC. 

 Second, the Muslim Community across the country has expressed fear of losing citizenship because of the new draconian measures introduced by the government. 

 Third, the students and the youth of the country who are liberal in in their thought are seriously concerned about losing the basic 'Idea of India'. 

 While the ruling establishment is playing every game to reduce the current movement into a 'Muslim verses others' phenomenon, we are committed to expose their designs and tell the masses of the country that the vital interests of every citizen of the country is at stake and it virtually is the Citizens' Movement to protect the Constitution. I am quite sure, all the three streams will soon come together and the third stream will be strengthened further. 

 How will you explain this movement in simple terms to the Common Man of this country?

 It’s basically 'Bharat Jodo Andolan'. Our goal simply is to recover and reclaim the Republic. The Common Citizens of our country are mature enough to understand the gravity of the situation. We will reach out to them with simple, educating and inspiring messages. This slogan of ours, for instance is going viral:

Ek hath may tiranga - Doosray may samvidhan

Man may ho ahimsa - jan man gan ka gaan.