As the students were pushed further away on university road, the police vandalized the parked bikes. Headlights were broken and vehicles impounded. In a state of terror, many of bikes were impounded. My roommate’s bike was lost, but later found. He broke the lock and parked it safely.

Pretty soon, when the crowd was pushed right back to VC lodge, the force brought out Water cannons.

Water cannon trucks rushing to VC Lodge

AMU is closed till 5 January

Panic and confusion had taken hold on the groups as to what was happening. Yet it was the essential tool for dissemination of information. All of these videos were shared in various groups and put up on WhatsApp statuses and Instagram stories.

We ourselves got confirmation on the universities suspension from the new channels. Our registrar (the same person who requested help from the RAF) announced the decision on NDTV.

We quickly gathered students and went to our respective Halls from behind the crowd. Most of us stayed up during the night, getting updates. At least that was the case up till they shutdown internet access across the district.

The burnt room

Many students were reported as missing, later to be found in custody of the police. One such student was Syed M. Mehdi. His room in Morrison court Hall was burnt. His photo was widely circulated in the groups. He was found beaten by the U.P. police.

There have been several reports that students detained have been brutally beaten all night in custody by the U.P police.

Students taking refuge in Sulaiman Hall

Every Hall’s respective provosts and wardens came to their Halls to handle the situation. They spent the night directing students safely in and out of the halls.

After the internet cut off, there was a distinct sense of dread. What situation was going on in the campus, the movement of police was further obfuscated. Students in the halls were in a state of disarray as to when to vacate.

The police force had no shortage of anger and passion.

The following day, several scientific conferences were scheduled to take place at different faculties across the university. In fact, Samsung was scheduled to hold interviews for software developers for the final year students of Electronics and Computer Engineering branches. They were offering the highest package this Training and placement office had seen. Majority of my classmates were prepping for months for this day.

Morning started with students packing up. Special buses and trains had been arranged for students to go to their homes. Pretty soon, majority of the hostel had been vacated. These buses were jam-packed with hostelers. As information was limited, we had absolutely no idea how safe the roads were. But ultimately, all of us made out.

Almost all of the stores near the university had shut down in support of the protest. That day, several thousands took to the street against this oppression. My roommate had several eggs which he went to give to a nearby local store. “No need to explain”, he said as he took the crate. Everyone understood how grave the situation was for the hostelers.

90% of the content of this blog post wouldn’t have been possible without student activist sharing on social media. By cutting the internet access, the government is directly snatching our freedom of expression, blocking this pathway. This government has only one agenda, to oppress.

Despite this handicap, droves of citizens came out to the streets the next day to protest around the city. The spirit stays alive in the people.

Within a day, there have been protests against the CAA and the police injustices at Jamia and AMU. Across the globe, students have represented the underlying voice of the justice. From Hong Kong to China, students are the first to understand the reality of the country’s situation. MIT and Harvard have taken a stand with the students of India. Discriminatory laws such as the CAA are steps that will lead to subjugation of the minorities. After witnessing the assault on my university first hand, my trust in the resilience of student activism has strengthened. Now it is in the hands of the students of India, to lead us in being more responsible and aware. The revolution has started, and it will only grow bigger.

Jai Hind!