Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 26, 2020: Some 7 million people on January 26 formed a 620-km human chain in the southern Indian state to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Organized by Kerala’s ruling Left Democratic Front, the protest saw leaders such as state Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan lining up along roads from Kasargod in the north of Kerala to Thiruvananthapuram in the south on India’s Republic Day.
The organizers have claimed that some 7 million people turned up for the protest.
Several newly married couples were also seen participating in the protest, billed as one of the biggest against the amended Citizenship law until now.
“I am here for the Constitution, to protect the Constitution. If anyone tries to change the Constitution, we will strongly resist it,” said one of the protesters.
While protest was led by the Left, it also saw people with opposing political views standing united in resistance against the controversial law.
“I believe I am here because it’s my duty to stand up for other citizens who are being sidelined on the basis of caste, creed or religion. This is our India and I stand united with everyone against the Citizenship Amendment Act,” actress Sangeetha Mohan said.
A Muslim woman, wearing a hijab, said: “We are not here for politics. It’s not about party. We will live and die here in India”. A man, next to her interrupted, “They are trying to scare us. We are all Indians, we are all humans. That’s why we have joined the human chain.”
On December 31, Kerala passed a unanimous resolution in the state Assembly against the Citizenship Amendment Act, becoming the first state to urge the the federal government to repeal the law. Congress-ruled Punjab and Rajasthan are the other two states to have passed such a resolution.
This morning, the constitution of India was read out in several mosques and churches in the state, which also saw hoisting of the national flag and prayers being offered for the nation.
The Left and Congress led United Democratic Front, though principal political opponents, have also held a joint protest against the Act last year. The state has already declared that it will not implement the National Population Register.
“I congratulate all people who have joined this human chain. It’s not time for us to stop or to rest. We have to continue to resist all attempts to change our constitution”, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said.
The last time the LDF organized a similar human chain was on December 29, 2016, to protest against the hardships faced by the people following demonetization.
On January 1, 2019, the Pinarayi Vijayan-led government held a Women’s Wall to uphold renaissance values and gender equality in society, with the aim of welcoming the Supreme Court’s decision to open the Sabarimala temple to women of all ages.
Source: ndtv.com