Writers, residents protest against CAA

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, January 19

Representatives of various people’s and cultural organisations, intellectuals, writers and citizens today held a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Hall (DBYH) here today. Handing a formal representation yesterday to the DBYH on a BJP event held at the hall on Saturday, on the same day members of the delegation had also declared to hold a protest against the CAA.

The activists said they would hold the protest for a week, daily from 5 pm to 7pm. Organisations which raised objections against the BJP event in the representation included Kaumantary Lekhak Manch, Punjab ‘Kalam’; Sahit Peeth, Ferozepur; Manav-vadi Rachna Manch, Punjab; People’s Voice; Sahitak Sabhyachar Sanstha ‘Phulkari’; Apni Mitti, Apne Lok; Punjabi Lekhak Sabha, Jalandhar; Suchetak Rang Manch, Mohali; and Shabd Vichar Manch.

Representatives from these groups along with members of the Desh Bhagat Yadgar Committee, Punjab Students Union, Pendu Mazdoor Union, Istri Jagriti Manch and other organisations and local residents joined the protest today.

While a group of about 30 to 40 persons participated in the protest, the activists held slogans such as: “We Stand Against NRC, NPR, CAA” and “Hum Dekhenge – Faiz”.

Dr Cheema said: “We gave a memorandum to the Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall, we did not want a repeat of that. Additionally, we are angered at what is happening in the country. Whatever has happened in the past has happened. But this is the place for remembering the Ghadarites, we don’t want the memory and legacy of the Ghadarites tarnished. We oppose the CAA. Religious differentiations taking centrestage through a central bill in the entire country is not feasible in a diverse country like ours.”

A member of the Punjab Students Union, Hardeep Kaur, said: “While the official narrative on the CAA is centred around the notion that persecuted minorities of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh will be saved, these being Hindus, Sikhs, Christians and Buddhists, what is also vital is to remember Muslim minorities are also segregated among Ahmadiyaas, Shias and Sunnis on the basis of which some of them are also persecuted. Also, Rohingyas in Myanmar and Muslims in China are also being persecuted. They should also be included in the CAA discourse.”

Jasbir Jassi from the Istri Jagriti Manch said: “The CAA will adversely affect women that is why we stand in solidarity with all those who opposed the Act.”