In a show of solidarity with students of JNU who are demanding free speech and right to protest in a secular country, concerned students of the state organized a public talk on ‘Nation and its Discontents: Free Speech to repressive laws’ today at Manipur University Bus stand (coffee corner). Assistant prof. of Department of Economics, MU Dr. Chinglen Maisnam talked on the Rise of Fundamentalist forces, Babloo Loitongbam-Director of Human Rights Alert talked on Shrinking of Democratic Spaces, while Dr. Homen Thangjam- Assistant Professor of Maharajah Bodhachandra College spoke on Nation and Nation-State: Emerging India. Akhu Chingangbam of the band ‘Imphal Talkies’ presented a number of protest songs in his inimitable style to enthuse and sensitize the gathering students on the need to raise the voice of dissent.