By Matters India Reporter

New Delhi, Jan 20, 2020: The steps of Delhi’s Jama Masjid resonated with Gandhi’s favorite hymn “Abide With Me” on January 18, the day Gandhi broke his fast in 1948 after the Hindu radical groups had signed a pledge to ensure the safety of Muslims in Independent India.

A protest that big television news channels chose to ignore, had hundreds reaching Jama Masjid in Old Delhi to pledge their support to the Constitution of India as they opposed the Citizenship Amendment Act, the National register for Citizens, and the National Population Register. All denounced them as schemes to divide India along religious lines.

Saba Dwan, one of the organizers said the protest “Not in My Name” reminded the gathering of students, locals, scholars, professionals of Gandhi’s fast.

“We gathered in memory of Bapu to pledge that we will protect the Constitution of India and thereby the promise of democracy, secularism, equality and fraternity that keeps us the people of India together,” added the Indian documentary film maker based in New Delhi.

Hundreds sat on Jama Masjid steps on January 18, in memory of Gandhi’s last fast for the safety of the Muslims in Independent India. He ended the fast on January 18, 1948, when various organizations, including the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Hindu Mahasabha agreed to sign a declaration promising the security of life and property of Muslims.

Gandhi was shot dead 12 days later by Nathuram Godse, a Hindu radical.

At the gathering, Sohail Hashmi read out the Preamble of the Constitution, the congregation repeating every line. Dewan read it in English, and all pledged to uphold and defend it as the people of India.

Devan said the CPA, NPR and NRC “shatter the promises made in (Gandhi’s) declaration. For Gandhi, India belonged to all. He would have found the idea of linking citizenship to religion abhorrent.”

The gathering sang hymns “Amazing Grace” and “Abide with Me” with passion, a first for Jama Masjid.

Speakers drew on the unity of India, its diversity drawing from all religious scriptures to enforce the unity of humankind and the power and strength of nonviolence. The speakers included Sardar Daya Singh, Purshottam Agrawal, John Dayal, Mufti qasim Kashmi, Sushant Singh,Lokesh Jain, Anastasia Gill.