India, Oct. 12 -- Around 100 Harvard University alumni, students, faculty members and staff have condemned the police action against protesters in India on October 10, describing it as an "unprecedented siege of Delhi by police and paramilitary forces".

In a statement, the signatories expressed solidarity with Senior Advocate Shadan Farasat (HLS 2009), alleging that he was detained and manhandled by police while attempting to prevent the "illegal detention of a peaceful protestor".

"If lawyers are prevented from providing legal aid, then the entire system of law and order breaks down," the statement said.

The statement comes amid concerns over the detention of demonstrators, lawyers, journalists and civil society members during protest...