AMU Student Externed From Aligarh Under Goondas Act, Says Being Targeted For Leading Anti-CAA Protests

The District administration of Aligarh has issued an order exiling Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) student leader Arif Tyagi from entering the district for six months under the UP Control of Goondas Act.

Six cases were lodged against the 27-year postgraduate student at the Civil Lines police station between 2018 and 2020 on several charges, including under IPC Section 153A (promoting enmity between two groups).

However, Tyagi has termed the action anti-student and anti-institution.

“Framing students with frivolous acts such as the Goonda Act is absolute harassment of voices that calls for justice and fight for seeking accountability of government over several issues. They have imposed several charges on me. I got to know about the cases two days ago when I received a show-cause notice from district administration”.

“I have filed a petition before the Aligarh district challenging the externment order and will move to Allahabad High Court to seek justice,” he further added.

Muhammad Arif Khan, also known as Arif Tyagi is a post graduating student in human rights at Aligarh Muslim University. Tyagi is an active voice on the campus and was a participant in the anti-CAA protests. At the emergence of the pandemic, he was also seen arranging special trains with the cooperation of University administration and other student leaders to help stranded students reach home.

Tyagi also contested elections for the post of Vice President in 2018 student union of the varsity, but lost the elections.

Assistant Surintendendent of Police, Aligarh Kuldeep Gunawat said the Goonda Act was invoked against the student leader on the basis of the several cases lodged against him since 2018 and described him as a “threat to the public due to his activities in the campus”.

Ever since the anti-Citizenship Act protests broke out across the country last year, authorities are on a spree to summon and arrest student leaders and activists who participated in it.

Farhan Zuberi, former cabinet member of Aligarh Muslim University Students’ Union was arrested on 28th May 2020. Student activist of AMU and member of AMU coordination Committee, Amir Mintoee, was arrested on 16th April 2020 for participating in the protests.