ANURAG KAMBLE anurag. kamble@ mid- day. com A PUBLIC meeting to protest the Citizenship ( Amendment) Act ( CAA) and the National Register of Citizens ( NRC) witnessed a good turnout at Ambedkar Garden, Shivaji Nagar on Tuesday. There were more women than men at the meeting which was held for more than 3 hours. At least 20 speakers spoke against CAA- NRC and the central government. Many of the youngsters and women participating, pledged to be united to oppose the government and increase social harmony to ward off attempts to divide the community.
The group Hum Bharat Ke Log had arranged the public meeting, which started amidst heavy police protection around 3 pm. The Samajwadi Partyu2019s MLA Abu Azmi, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap and the Nationalist Congress Partyu2019s ( NCP) Vidya Chavhan were the notable speakers who addressed the gathering.
No one can throw out Muslims from this country on the basis of such laws. I urge my Muslim brothers and sisters to stay united with our Hindu brothers. We are in this country by choice not by chance.u201d Jagtap said, u201c CAA has been amended five times before, but have you seen such protests in history? No, because nobody brought religion between people and the Indian citizenship. Itu2019s the first time this government has tried to divide this country. And we will not allow this to happen. This act is dividing people and we have to give a befitting reply through such protests in a democratic manner.
Ayesha Sheikh, a local, said, u201c There is total confusion among communities about the CAA and NRC. I donu2019t understand why the government is trying to divide communities which were living in harmony for ages. If you look at the instances of violence and hate speeches in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, and the hidden support to such people from the government, I donu2019t understand where this will go.u201d u2018 Govt must listenu2019 Tabrez Patel, a student who had come to the meeting after reading a viral post, said, u201c There is huge confusion about the law among youngsters, many feel that the Act will throw Muslims out of this country. There are many hate messages over social media as well. The government isnu2019t listening to the protestors and causing more anger.
I hope the government listens to protestors and takes back CAA and NRC.u201d During the meeting, political leaders as well as social activists urged people not to indulge in any controversial issues, and shout slogans against or in support of any person in particular.
u2018 We should stick together and fight against the draconian lawu2019 Citizens raise their voices against CAA and NRC at another public meeting; say govt must listen to them and take back both The Samajwadi Partyu2019s MLA Abu Azmi, Congress leader Bhai Jagtap and the Nationalist Congress Partyu2019s ( NCP) Vidya Chavhan addressed the gathering at Ambedkar Garden, Shivaji Nagar. PIC/ Rajesh Gupta 8k No. of people who attended the meeting
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