Scholars at Risk, an international human rights organisation and network working on academic freedom, has condemned the attack on Jawaharlal Nehru University student and activist Umar Khalid. The incident happened outside Constitution Club of India here on Monday afternoon.
The organisation has demanded security for Mr. Khalid, and upholding of the freedom of expression and association of the entire student community.
“Scholars at Risk is gravely concerned about an apparently targeted attack on a student in retaliation for non-violent exercise of the right to freedom of expression and freedom of association,” the organisation said in a statement.
It added that in addition to harm to the immediate victim, such incidents have a chilling effect on academic freedom and freedom of expression.
“State authorities have a responsibility to ensure the security of members of the higher education community, to prevent future attacks and to hold perpetrators of violent attacks accountable,” it said.
