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New Delhi: Twitter is as much a battleground for the battle between people for and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as the streets of India. And Audrey Truschke, assistant professor of South Asian history at Rutgers University in Newark, New Jersey, finds herself caught in the middle of this battle due to a tweet she posted Sunday morning.

Truschke tweeted about injuries to students at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), claiming that “a few students had their wrists cut off. Many have had fingers chopped. Dozens badly injured”.

“As a professor and a human being, I am horrified,” Truschke added.

Some news out of Aligarh — A few students had their wrists cut off. Many have had fingers chopped. Dozens badly injured. As a professor and a human being, I am horrified. #AligarhMuslimUniversity #AMU — Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) December 21, 2019

Clashes erupted at the AMU campus on 15 December, after students joined forces to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and in solidarity with the students of Delhi’s Jamia Millia Islamia, who were baton-charged by the police earlier in the day.

According to reports, around 70 people, including students, 20 police personnel and AMU security guards, were injured in the clashes. Over the week that followed, several reports of students suffering grave injuries emerged.

AMU has now set up a one-man judicial panel, comprising former Chhattisgarh High Court chief justice V.K. Gupta, to conduct an internal inquiry into the incident.

‘Your anger is misplaced’

Truschke’s tweet was condemned by several Twitter users, including journalists, who questioned the veracity of her claims.

Horrified that an educated person would put out a tweet like this without verifying this information. — Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) December 22, 2019

Dear @AudreyTruschke you have to be certain before putting out such information no matter how carried away in the heat of moment. People are afraid enough as it is. — Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) December 22, 2019

A few hours later, Truschke tweeted a clarification, claiming that the information in her earlier tweet was from a source she trusts. She, however, added that “we can’t apply normal verification standards given the internet shutdowns, etc”.

Folks—I’m getting a lot of pushback on this. I have this from a source I trust. I recognise that we can’t apply normal verification standards given the internet shutdowns, etc. All that said, I sure hope I’m wrong. — Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) December 22, 2019

In another tweet, she urged people to direct their anger “at those turning off the internet and silencing the media” instead.

Last thought of today (day is ending for us India-focused in New Jersey): Many are angry at me that we cannot apply usual journalism standards to verify what’s happening in India. Your anger is misplaced. Direct your ire at those turning off the internet and silencing the media. — Audrey Truschke (@AudreyTruschke) December 22, 2019

‘Mentioned in other reports’

A few users jumped to Truschke’s defence too, claiming that her tweet had been corroborated by other sources.

One user claimed that Truschke’s allegations find mention in an Indian Express report:

Express report corroborating Ms.Truschke's tweet. Can ANI do real journalism? "Six injured students continue to be in hospital, while the right hand of one has had to be amputated at the wrist. Doctors fear two others may have to undergo amputation."https://t.co/Eq2wolzAG3 — Roshan (@RoshanReach) December 22, 2019

Another user attempted to support Truschke’s claims with a report from The Telegraph:

For those who want proof. pic.twitter.com/NAz4C0rIV8 — Sabina Ahmed (@sabinaahmed22) December 22, 2019

Also read: AMU students did not raise ‘anti-Hindu’ slogans, they raised voice against Hindutva

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