Crisis at Queen Mary’s College
This entry was originally at http://kingsley.blog-city.com/read/49537.htm
My mother works at Queen Mary’s college. The State government’s recently decided to raze the 80 year old building to the ground and build a new Secretariat there. As I write this, my mother just called and said that she has decided to stay back in the college to protest against the demolition. Earlier today, a mob of students disrupted traffic on Beach road and were pushed back into the college by cops. The whole place is swarming with women cops.
While I respect her decision to protest, I hope there isn’t any trouble and that she comes back home safely tomorrow morning. Dad reminded me of the time when she went to prison for a day protesting against the then DMK government. I hope it doesnt come to that. Though she does give me ulcers right now, I do love her for being the way she is. I’m gonna go and try to see her now, and p’bly give her some pillows, drinking water, food etc., for the night.
Update- 12.30 PM, 5th April: Mom’s decided to stay back. We left her with pillows and a change of clothes, but they’re planning to keep a vigil tonight. Apparently 12-1 is an astrologically good time for you-know-who, and that’s probably when the demolition might start. Just about the time we went in, they where asking anyone who was not staff or student to leave the college campus for security reasons. The place had a few women cops inside, ostensibly to protect the protestors. I’m worried that the situation is already politicized. Either of the two major parties might attempt to force a situation. I’m wary of the opposition too, since they’re as likely to create an incident to get mileage out of it. And all these students and staff, sitting in with their naivete of “holding the fort”. The announcement to demolish the building was made on Friday afternoon in order to avoid a stay-order. So now these people have to try and protect the place till monday morning, when a stay can be procured. Shouldn’t there be courts dedicated for such situations which stay open on weekends? Isn’t this justice delayed?
For the first time in her life, my mom learned how to use a mobile phone today, since I left mine with her. So don’t try reaching me on it. By tommorrow morning, the place is gonna be full of opposition and ruling party guys spoiling for a fight. I don’t think anything will happen tonight, because they need a day to get people in. Tommorrow, if it does get seriously politicized, I’m bringing her home. She can do her protesting from home, just like her HOD, who landed up at 7 in the morning to handover the keys to the department building to mom.
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