Crowd gathering at Gateway of India, Mumbai to silently protest against attacks on JNU students in Delhi tonight 
And the lights come on
Cop cars around... But everyone v v peaceful and respectful.. solemnly protesting against attacks on JNU students
I repeat: This is a silent protest. The only sounds are of cops' walkie talkies, someone coughing and an engine revving. More and more people are coming and quietly sitting
You can tell them by their clothes: They are young people, and full of hurt
Someone from the crowd, breaking the silence: 'A request to the media. We are not here to give any sound bites. This is a peaceful protest.'
'Hum dekhenge' being sung. Like an anthem
The candles melted to stubs of wax.. people resort to switching on their phone flashlights.. while young people take turns to recite shehrs and poetry. JNU on everyone's mind
The crowd has swelled from 10 to around 500. While someone sings beautifully about peace and love.. a man waves the Indian flag
'Why are you here for?'
'For this.'
'For this.'
Crowd has swelled to thousands. Ppl are taking turn to sing songs and poems of dissent.. 'yehi azaadi Kashmir ki bhi hai aur Assam ki... ye desh ka khoon ubaal rahe chai se' goes one poem.. a Kashmiri poet stands up, saying he wrote a poem in the car: 'hum tera jhooth girayenge'
.@UmarKhalidJNU at Gateway: 'Azaadi chant' piercing the night
My colleague @SharmeenMIRROR reports that protesters plan to stay at Gateway till day 11 am tomorrow...
My apologies, the crowd was in hundreds. Not thousands..
