By Jessy Joseph
New Delhi, March 5, 2020: Hundreds of Dalits, Tribals, Muslims and Christians from various parts of India gathered in New Delhi to protest against the implementation the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR).
The March 4 protest at Jantar Mantar, near the Parliament building, was organized by Save Nation Save Constitution Committee, a civil rights group.
“The unleashing of violence by anti social elements under the political backing on the citizens of the nation, particularly women from marginalized religious and caste communities around the country has led to a state of unprecedented insecurity among people,” says a statement issued by the organizers.
The protesters expressed deep anxiety against CAA which is to be used as a ploy to divide the society based on the religious identity.
Addressing the gathering Thirumavalavan, a Member of Parliament from Tamil Nadu and an activist, said” the introduction of controversial law is an attack on the secular character of the Constitution.” The Dalit leader from Tamil Nadu demanded the government to repeal what he called the draconian and discriminatory law.
Nitheesha Xalxo, assistant professor at Daulat Ram College under the Delhi University, said the CAA excludes not only the Muslim community but the marginalized and poor, Dalits, Adivasis and other minority communities. “What they are trying to do with the Muslims today can happen with others in future,” the tribal activist added.
Father Vincent Ekka came from Chhattisgarh to show his solidarity with the protesters. Calling the CAA-NCR-NPR protest a collective and massive resistance since India’s Independence, the Jesuit priest said Tribals, Dalits and poor people would be unable to prove their identity with documentation if the law comes into effect.
“The government is targeting the Muslims now but the soon it will target other communities too. So we should stop the divisive forces soon,” he added.
Asked about demand for separate column in 2021 census, Father Ekka said Tribals need a separate column because they have a different identity. “It is a long standing demand. The Tribals have a different culture and they worship nature,” he told Matters India.
The organizers appealed the government to convene a meeting of the stakeholders and decide on the matter to prevent turning Indian citizens into stateless, and dis-empowered communities.
The commission warned the government that if it doesn’t scrap the law soon they will intensify the protests. They plan to hold a massive demonstration on March 27.