Indian students hold placards during a protest aganist the arrest of the president of Jawaharlal Nehru University's Student Union (JNU) Kanhaiya Kumar in New Delhi on February 14, 2016. Indian students,teachers and activists are protesting against the arrest of a top university student leader after he was charged with sedition, and demanding his immediate release. AFP PHOTO / SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP / SAJJAD HUSSAIN (Photo credit should read SAJJAD HUSSAIN/AFP/Getty Images)

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Queer Indians Come Out In Support of JNU, Sit On 1 Day Hunger Strike in Solidairty

By Sukhdeep Singh

May 10, 2016

With controversy around Jawaharlal Nehru University refusing to die, and the hunger strike by students of JNU entering the 12th Day, queer people have come out in support of the struggling students and are sitting on a 1 day hunger strike on 10th May. 16 students have been sitting on an indefinite hunger strike against the decision of JNU administration to suspend students or impose fines on them for an event that was held in JNU in February to discuss the hanging of Afzal Guru, and where ABVP alleged that “anti-national” slogans were raised.

The Event titled “Queers #StandWithJNU” urges queer folks and allies to come to Freedom Square inside JNU Campus and express their solidarity with fasting JNU students. Queer people in Bengaluru are also extending their support by sitting on a 1 day hunger strike at Town Hall.

“The queer struggle is deeply entwined with this fight against casteism, classism, fascist religious and nationalist extremism and crackdown on free thought – a liberation for LGBTQ+ is not possible if caste/class/race/gender/sexuality/ability discrimination festers and if the government of the day can trample upon students/tribals/dalits,” reads the description of the event.

The hunger strike, which began from 12 am, was preceded by two movie screenings – Naked Wheels and In Search of… Clear Skies.

(Also Read: Why Queer People Should #StandWithJNU)