At pro-CAA dharna, many unaware of Act

Jalandhar, January 31

On a call given by the Bhagwan Valmiki Kranti Sena, activists from across the state today came to the city to hold a huge dharna in favour of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

Dalits, farm activists and labourers from across the state came in buses and other vehicles to express solidarity to the dharna in favour of the (CAA). The activists were from Bathinda, Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Jalandhar and Kapurthala and other areas.

While leaders who led the dharna supported the CAA, a number of activists who came in from various places seemed unaware of the Act and cause of their gathering. The latter said they want their ‘rights’ which included jobs, land and pension, among others. However, they said they supported their leaders’ demands.

Holding a huge dharna in front of the DAC, the activists raised slogans and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner expressing solidarity with the Act stating that it was for providing shelter to persecuted minorities.

Kulwant Singh from Mehta Chowk said: “A bus full of people had come from Mehta Chowk. We only demand our rights be given. We have no work, our paddy crops suffer losses and we get neither atta nor dal. We have no card. I don’t know about the CAA. Our president knows. We are with him.” Satnam Singh from Tarn Taran said: “We are poor and getting nothing. We demand pension because the same is stopped. Plots were also promised but to no avail. I do repair work, I don’t know about the CAA, but we support all demand of the brotherhood.”

Chinda Singh from Chak Bambe village said: “I came with 15-16 persons from the village. They told us we have to go to a dharna. We didn’t ask. We know what was the reason though.”

Sarwan Gill, state president of the sena, said: “We support the CAA wholeheartedly. It won’t take away citizenship but on the contrary, minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who are being persecuted, will get citizenship in India.” — TNS