Harvard Alumni Express Solidarity With Sr Adv Shadan Farasat, Condemn Police Action Against Delhi Protesters
The alumni condemned police brutality, unlawful detention, and violations of the constitutional rights of all peaceful protestors.
A group of 100 alumni, students, faculty members and staff of Harvard University has issued a statement expressing solidarity with Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat and condemning the police brutality, unlawful detentions and violations of constitutional rights of peaceful protesters in Delhi on October 10.
The statement, dated October 12, particularly expresses solidarity with Farasat, a 2009 alumnus of Harvard Law School, who was detained and manhandled by the Delhi Police, and Mehr Pasricha, Policy Head of Citizens for Justice and Peace (CJP) and a 2025 graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, who was detained for 13 hours, during the protests held in the national capital against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The signatories expressed deep concern over what they described as an "unprecedented siege of Delhi by police and paramilitary forces" and arbitrary, illegal and unconstitutional police action against peaceful protesters on October 10.
"We strongly condemn police brutality, unlawful detention, and violations of constitutional rights of all peaceful protestors," the statement said.
Referring to the incident involving Farasat, the signatories said that the Senior Advocate was detained and manhandled by the police while rushing to prevent the illegal detention of a peaceful protester.
"If lawyers are prevented from providing legal aid, then the entire system of law and order breaks down," the statement observed.
The statement also highlighted the detention of Pasricha, saying that she was not present at any protest site but was peacefully having breakfast at Laxmi Nagar Market when she was detained.
According to the signatories, Pasricha was held for 13 hours without being provided any paperwork or being informed of the grounds for her detention.
"We stand in solidarity with our fellow alumni, Mr. Shadan Farasat (Harvard Law School, 2009) and Ms. Mehr Pasricha (Harvard Kennedy School, 2025), and all peaceful protestors," the statement said.
The signatories further expressed support for all peaceful protesters exercising their constitutional rights and commended those who assisted individuals affected by the alleged unlawful detentions and accompanying violence.
Calling for accountability, the statement demanded:
"We call upon the government and all law enforcement authorities to immediately cease and desist from all violations of constitutional rights, respect rights to peaceful protest and access to legal assistance, and ensure that those responsible for abuses are held accountable in accordance with the rule of law."
The statement carries 100 signatures from individuals affiliated with various Harvard University schools, including Harvard Law School, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Business School and Harvard Graduate School of Education.