Kamal Haasan on CAA: Democracy in ICU; state terrorism in Delhi, Assam, Aligarh

Actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan whose party Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) challenged the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in the Supreme Court on Monday termed police crackdown against Jamia Millia Islamia students as “state terrorism”.

Hitting out at Modi government, Haasan said there is nothing wrong if students ask questions.

“(The young) must understand and question politics...politics is omnipresent and affects all of us. There is nothing wrong with young people being politically aware and asking questions (but) when these questions (are) stifled, then democracy is in dangerous ICU,” said Haasan.

“Saying that every blow on students is a blow on the freedom of expression” Haasan added, “This issue (referring to the protests against the new citizenship law) is beyond state borders...beyond politics and beyond parties. It is a national issue”.

Violence broke out in Delhi on Sunday after police entered Jamia Milia Islamia University campus and lathi-charged students.

Opposition parties demanded judicial probe into police crackdown and supported Jamia students’ protest against CAA.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi sat on two-hour symbolic dharna near India Gate against police crackdown on Monday.