The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear matter concerning violent incidents at Jamia Milia Islamia University and Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) on Tuesday, if the rioting stops. "We will determine the rights but not in the atmosphere of riots, let all of this stop and then we will take suo motu cognizance. We are not against rights and peaceful demonstrations," CJI S.A. Bobde said in response to senior advocate Indira Jaising requesting the apex court to take suo motu cognizance of the issue. "We don’t want to see videos (of the violence). If violence and destruction of public property continues, we will not hear it," Bobde warned.
"It's a very serious human rights violation all over the country," Jaising mentioned before the SC bench headed by the CJI. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves suggested that a retired SC judge should inquire into the Jamia matter.
Even as it took note of the violence at the two universities against the Citizenship Amendment Act, the SC criticized the damage to public property and rioting during students' stir. "Just because they happen to be students, it doesn't mean they can take law and order in their hands. This has to be decided when things cool down. This is not the frame of mind when we can decide anything. Let the rioting stop," said Bobde.
Both the Jamia and AMU campuses were riot fields on Sunday as protestors and police clashed. Police used batons and teargas shells to disperse the violent mob, but denied firing at them. However, videos of purported police firing, injured students in the university bathroom as well as footage of them bleeding emerged on social media.
But Delhi Police refuted reports of any casualty during the clashes. Following the arson on roads, police entered the Jamia university campus, where tension prevailed as several persons were detained for alleged involvement in the violence.