Anti-Citizenship Act protests: Anurag Kashyap, Richa Chadha, Vicky Kaushal & others condemn police brutality on students

The scene outside Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university in the heart of Delhi turned violent yesterday as students took to streets to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and thepolice took violent measures to keep the thousands in control. With videos and pictures of students being pulled, beaten with lathis and tear-gassed made its way to social media, people at large stood divided with police's method to deal with the law and order situation.

Bollywood celebs, too, took to their social media handles to express their concern as many students were seen being beaten up mercilessly by the police. One to take the lead was ace filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt who was seen reading out the Preamble of our Constitution. He shared a picture of him and other protesters at the Rajgruha-abode of Dr. B R Ambedkar on Twitter. "We the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SOCIALIST SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC. At Ambedkar's abode. After reading the Preamble of our Constitution," Bhatt tweeted along with the picture.

Mahesh Bhatt also shared a viral picture where girls in hijab (head covering) can be seen standing up to police that is ready to charge on them with batons and lathis. He wrote, "If you have no love - do what you will. Go after all the Gods on earth, do all the social activities, try to reform the poor, enter politics, write books, poems- you are a dead human being. Without love your problems willl increase, multiply endlessly- J. Krishnamurti"

Filmmaker Anubhav Sinha also shared a series of tweets condemning police's action. He also took a dig at other celebs as he said, "You are no icons. You are businessmen." In one tweet, he wrote, "When no one has the answers, students do. Look at history worldwide."

When no one has the answers, students do. Look at history worldwide. — Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) December 15, 2019

FUCK YOU EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT HAVE AN OPINION!!!! FUCK YOU!!! FUCK YOU AGAIN!!!! YOU ARE NO ICONS!!! YOU ARE BUSINESSMEN!!!! FUCK YOU!!! — Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) December 15, 2019

Dear Icons! Films. Sports. Arts. Politics. Literature. Etc. We chose what we chose because most of us didn’t want to be Government servants. Guess what.... you all now are GOVERNMENT SERVANTS!!! Bwahahaha — Anubhav Sinha (@anubhavsinha) December 16, 2019

Actress Swara Bhasker also tweeted, "Absolutely shameful conduct by@DelhiPolice"

Absolutely shameful conduct by @DelhiPolice https://t.co/xUFxzJtzen — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) December 15, 2019

Shocking messages of violence, tear gassing from #Jamia in #Delhi ! Why are students being treated like criminals? Why are hostels being tear gassed.. ??? What is going on #DelhiPolice ???? Shocking and shameful! #CABProtests — Swara Bhasker (@ReallySwara) December 15, 2019

While actress Sayani Gupta shared a viral picture of Bollywood celebs with PM Modi asking them to respond to the current chaos. Sharing the picture she wrote, "On behalf of the students of Jamia & AMU request at least one of you to tweet or message Mr.Modi condemning this act of police brutality and violence against students. The time has come to speak up guys. Yes? No? May be? @RanveerOfficial @karanjohar @ayushmannk @RajkummarRao"

On behalf of the students of Jamia & AMU request at least one of you to tweet or message Mr.Modi condemning this act of police brutality and violence against students. The time has come to speak up guys. Yes? No? May be?@RanveerOfficial @karanjohar @ayushmannk @RajkummarRao pic.twitter.com/6l5ky5zbNt — Sayani Gupta (@sayanigupta) December 15, 2019

Richa Chadha shared a video of a student crying in front of the camera over the atrocity of the police. The actress called out the police and wrote, "This is heartbreaking... In which civilized country is this normal ? Why such excessive force ? Who tear gases students studying inside a library? Nothing justifies this."

This is heartbreaking... In which civilized country is this normal ? Why such excessive force ? Who tear gases students studying inside a library? Nothing justifies this. https://t.co/fK2kX17Qqg — TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) December 16, 2019

Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap also made a comeback on Twitter after months of switching off from the social media platform. He wrote, "This has gone too far.. can’t stay silent any longer . This government is clearly fascist .. and it makes me angry to see voices that can actually make a difference stay quiet"

This has gone too far.. can’t stay silent any longer . This government is clearly fascist .. and it makes me angry to see voices that can actually make a difference stay quiet .. — Anurag Kashyap (@anuragkashyap72) December 16, 2019

Filmmaker Alankrita Shrivastava tweeted, "I studied at Jamia. It is where I trained to be a filmmaker, where I met my best friends for life. It is the place that gave me hope and encouragement when I was a confused young girl trying to navigate my way through life. I have such fond memories. But today...."

"...Today my heart is bleeding for the students of Jamia who have been mercilessly attacked on campus. This is wrong and cruel at every level. I stand in solidarity with the bravehearts of Jamia. I am praying for the students who are injured and fighting for their lives."

I studied at Jamia. It is where I trained to be a filmmaker, where I met my best friends for life. It is the place that gave me hope and encouragement when I was a confused young girl trying to navigate my way through life. I have such fond memories. But today.... — Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) December 15, 2019

...Today my heart is bleeding for the students of Jamia who have been mercilessly attacked on campus. This is wrong and cruel at every level. I stand in solidarity with the bravehearts of Jamia. I am praying for the students who are injured and fighting for their lives. — Alankrita Shrivastava (@alankrita601) December 15, 2019

Taapsee Pannu also extended her support and wrote, "Wonder if this is a start or the end. Whatever it is, this is surely writing new rules of the land and those who don’t fit in can very well see the consequences.This video breaks heart n hopes all together. Irreversible damage,and I’m not talking about just the life n property."

Wonder if this is a start or the end. Whatever it is, this is surely writing new rules of the land and those who don’t fit in can very well see the consequences.
This video breaks heart n hopes all together. Irreversible damage,and I’m not talking about just the life n property https://t.co/QGaZYpDCR6 — taapsee pannu (@taapsee) December 16, 2019

Actor Zeeshan Ayyub also did not refrain and tweeted in support of the students that were protesting againstCitizenship (Amendment) Act.

Jamia का administration, students के साथ है। https://t.co/isvM8DaY52 — Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub (@Mdzeeshanayyub) December 16, 2019

South star Siddharth also tweeted against the clash and in support of the students. He wrote, "These two are not Krishna and Arjuna. They are Shakuni and Duryodhana.

Stop attacking #universities! Stop assaulting #students! #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest"

These two are not Krishna and Arjuna. They are Shakuni and Duryodhana.
Stop attacking #universities! Stop assaulting #students! #JamiaMilia #JamiaProtest — Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 16, 2019

Deeply ashamed that Edapadi Palanisamy represents my state and our people. Supporting the #CAB shows his true colours, his lack of integrity and his desperate need to remain powerful at any cost. You will all be held accountable. Enjoy your temp power till then. #IndiaRejectsCAB — Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) December 9, 2019

Meanwhile, as Assam also saw clashes between people and the police, singer Zubeen Garg said, "I will die but won't allow Citizenship Amendment Act in Assam." Also see: Hollywood actor John Cusack extended support to Jamia students in a series of tweets.

Other celebrities too tweeted condemning the violence that has now spilt onto other university campuses.

Keeping any political ideologies aside , it’s highly imperative to safeguard our human rights ! Whatever happened with these students ,these girls ,JUST NOT DONE ! Basic premise of democracy cannot be challenged & disrespected https://t.co/1zDByVWEsF — Yami Gautam (@yamigautam) December 16, 2019

If this voice and plea doesn’t shatter your inner demons. I don’t know what will. Is the end here? Or can we still save ourselves.
Where is the Prime Minister? The silence is deafening. https://t.co/aVhwO2RnqC — Kubbra Sait (@KubbraSait) December 16, 2019

Its funny,i felt hey ali lets play it safe all these years. And now i cant. a lot of my colleagues may not speak up at all.But i pray we all realise there is no job no career above humanity. socho, aur time kam hai toh act fast.irrespective of your political ideologies right now — Ali Fazal M / میر علی فضل / अली (@alifazal9) December 16, 2019

This is a picture of students from #JamiaMilia holding photos of #Ambedkar & #Gandhi opposing the #CAA2019

We haven’t forgotten our roots.

And we will fight to regain the lost sanity of this proud country 🇮🇳 #StandWithJamia #Delhiviolence pic.twitter.com/gOCh0B7Cnw — Vikrant Massey (@masseysahib) December 15, 2019

pic.twitter.com/rI2BOw5TBf — Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) December 16, 2019

There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest.
With the students and their democratic rights to protest ! I condemn violence against protesting students!!!!! — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 16, 2019

What is happening is not okay. The way it’s happening is not okay. People have every right to peacefully voice their opinion. This violence and disruption is both saddening and concerning as a fellow citizen. In no circumstance, must our faith in democracy be shaken. 🇮🇳 — Vicky Kaushal (@vickykaushal09) December 16, 2019

You. Yes, you, reading this quietly,
licking away at the emperor’s coat-tails, with a blind eye to your bleeding brother, you eat shit!

pic.twitter.com/YcJ6dhAXZg — Neeraj Ghaywan (@ghaywan) December 15, 2019

This is unreal. We are a secular democracy. This violence that the police have shown in dealing with the students is terrible. Citizens have the right to peacefully protest. @narendramodi @AmitShah Or that is not an option anymore ?? — Huma S Qureshi (@humasqureshi) December 16, 2019

If this is what’s gonna happen everytime a citizen expresses their view, forget #CAB, we should pass a bill and not call our country a democracy anymore! Beating up innocent human beings for speaking their mind? BARBARIC. — Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) December 17, 2019

Actors and filmmakers from the Bengal film industry too extended their support to the ongoing protest.

I condemn the brutal attack on the students across the country.
I condemn the loot, arson and attack on the innocent in the name of 'protests'.
I condemn the fact that this toothless condemnation on social media... https://t.co/lifEm2CqgO — Srijit Mukherji (@srijitspeaketh) December 16, 2019

The writing is on the wall! India WILL NOT accept Savarkar's India. The youth of the country is rising in protest. 7 states have opposed CAA. Shame on an administration that attacks universities! I stand in solidarity with the students of India. — Aparna Sen (@senaparna) December 16, 2019

#Insolidaritywithstudents pic.twitter.com/3qOO5o1MKw — Swastika Mukherjee (@swastika24) December 16, 2019

1990. I joined St. James' School and later St. Xavier's as a teacher of Bengali! I am still a teacher, deep down, and I try to teach human values through my films . So, whenever I see students, whoever they are, where ever they maybe, in distress, it bothers me . It deeply hurts. pic.twitter.com/cfpnnVpmSc — Kaushik Ganguly (@KGunedited) December 17, 2019

Beating up students is our age old tradition. Be it 70s Calcutta or Delhi now. They're tossed from frying pan to fire and vice versa. It is an endless loop in our godforsaken country. — Birsa Dasgupta (@BirsaDasgupta) December 16, 2019

Support came in from Malayalam and Tamil film industry as well.

Why are Tamils who are subjected to a methodic genocide and Muslims facing discrimination, be excluded from the bill? If it’s a genuinely benevolent bill and not a vote garnering exercise, then why won’t this CAB stop to pick up stranded Tamils & troubled Muslims of Srilanka? — Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) December 10, 2019

Revolution is homegrown. Always. #Rise pic.twitter.com/92s8niyIpW — Prithviraj Sukumaran (@PrithviOfficial) December 16, 2019

Jamia and Aligarh .. Terrorism ! #AligarhMuslimUniversity #StandWithJamia https://t.co/znhxhWMAyC — Parvathy Thiruvothu (@parvatweets) December 16, 2019

Uprising - Home made! ✌🏼

Long live secularism.. ✨ pic.twitter.com/6E8m6825bE — Indrajith Sukumaran (@Indrajith_S) December 16, 2019

The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill which grants citizenship to the non-Muslims who arrived in India before December 31, 2014, smoothly sailed through both the houses of the Parliament and became an act after President, Ram Nath Kovind gave his assent to the bill on Thursday. Ever since then, there have been protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as people all over the country term it to be "discriminatory and unconstitutional".