Anti-CAA protests: Actors, activists join hands

Chanting slogans of Azadi and singing Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faizs Hum Dekhenge that was recently claimed to be antiHindu Mumbaikars gathered in Millat Nagar area of Andheri West to protest against the CAA and NRC on Sunday They were joined by actors Sushant Singh and Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub who encouraged the agitators to continue their movement against what he called a fascist regime of the countryThe protest attended by residents of Millat Nagar Yamuna Nagar Lokhandwala and Oshiwara was organised by the members of Hum Bharat Ke Log a front that organised the first protest against Citizenship Amendment Act CAA and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens NRC in Mumbai on December 19 and has been leading the agitation sinceAt the gathering citizens raised their voice through music and cultural performances Urdu poem Hum Dekhenge mdash which Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur had decided to investigate to determine if it is antiHindu but later dropped the idea following criticism mdash was sung by the protesters who also chanted Azadi and Jai Bharat Jai Samvidhan slogansMillat Nagar residents stage a peaceful demonstration against CAA NRC on SundayTV actor Sushant Singh who hosted crime show Saavdhaan India before being recently removed allegedly for his antiCAA stance addressed the people with a powerful poetry that spoke of HinduMuslim unityBollywood actor Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub raised the spirit of the crowd by encouraging them to keep fighting against the fascist regime of the nation With chants of Inquilab he began There are so many people on the street right now fighting for the unity of this country These people are scared Your slogans have got them worried They are changing their statement every day Now they are blaming the political parties of inciting the students movement I ask where do you see the flag of political parties We are carrying the Indian flag Your flag has just one colour while ours have threeAmong the speakers on Sunday was a teenage resident of Millat Nagar Lavisa Ansari who said What India needs is a comprehensive refugee policy for illegal immigrants It India needs to sign the UNs National Refugee Program and needs better policing on bordersFeroze Mithiborwala national committee member of Hum Bharat Ke Log said Mumbai has the responsibility of ensuring the panIndia antiCAA movement meets its goal He added Soon we will protest at Shivaji Park too and will be joined by the Thackeray family as well This fight is to save India from Modis fascist regime Fahad Ahmad another panel member of Hum Bharat Ke Log addressed the Muslim women seated near the stage and said From Shaheen Bagh to here you have given us hope keep this alive We will definitely unite IndiaWere merely amplifiersA few kilometres away in Versovas Aram Nagar Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker along with Dr Kafeel Khan the suspended assistant professor of Gorakhpurs BRD Medical College held a closed door meeting with the prominent members of the antiCAA movementMumbaikars protest against CAA and NRC at Millat Nagar Andheri West on SundaySpeaking to midday on a short walk to her car Bhasker said the narrative around the CAA changed since December 15 when students across the country started uniting and protesting against CAA NRC and NPR along with JNU hostel fee hike Despite atrocities at JNU and AMU students and citizens have found a common ground to continue the protest She also applauded Deepika Padukone for taking a stand by joining the JNU protesters but she believes we need to wary and not allow the movement to become about celebrity participationWhen asked what the antiCAA movements future looks like she said The matter is in the Supreme Court now and will be heard on January 22 I hope that justice is done As for our part we have to make sure that we reach out to communities and spread awareness among the mass We actors are simply playing the role of an amplifierDec 19When protest began in MumbaiJan 22SC will hear antiCAA petitionsCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates