Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Jan 15: Dakshina Kannada and Udupi District Muslim Central Committee staged massive protest against the implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) at Shaha garden ground at Adyar Kannur on Wednesday, January 15.

Udupi district Khazi Alhaj Bekala Ibrahim Musliyar inaugurated the massive protest. Dua was offered by Dakshina Kannada district Khazi Alhaj Twaka Ahmed Musliyar.

Addressing the protesters, retired IAS officer Harsha Mander said, “Seventy years ago, our Constitution was formed and today the whole country is united to protect our Constitution. Hindustan has 4 soldiers that are Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Christians, who are united today and our voice should be heard by the government. The hate politics which focus on dividing people should stop. The theme of the protest is national flag in one hand, Constitution is another and people will march forward with love in their hearts.”

He also said, "The fight of dividing people started 100 years ago. Gandhiji had a vision for India and BR Ambedkar formed the constitution. However, Hindu Maha Sabha, RSS and their sister organisations oppose Gandhiji’s vision and BR Ambedkar’s constitution as they want a Hindu nation and Muslims are allowed to live on condition basis with fear and suppression. Muslim League wanted two countries that is Hindustan for Hindus and Pakistan for Muslims. Muslims preferred to live in this country which was not by chance but by choice. This country belongs to Muslims just as much as it belongs to Hindus. We need not prove our identity to those who were never involved in the freedom fight. Never give them a chance to ask you to prove your identity.”

"Many do not understand about NRC, CAA, NPR but we know one thing that we are divided on the basis of religion. This fight is for protection of our constitution. After Ram Mandir and Article 370, BJP have used this as a weapon to divide the people by introducing the Act and making this country into a Hindu nation,” said Harsha Mander.

Retired IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan said, "Government was confident that they can create fear among people, media and society and force them to sit at home. When people felt that the limit was being crossed, they stepped into the streets. When government saw people on streets, they started questioning, why you are afraid? Prime Minister spoke about eradicating black money but ended up announcing demonatisation which affected the poor. When questioned, government made poor people keep quiet by saying even the rich was affected by the move. But no one asked if the black money was retrieved. They were also confident that this time people will not ask questions but this will not be the case.”

“They say they will not step one inch back but they already stepped 2 kilometers back and from there they are saying we won’t step one inch back. When people asked questions even Modi started asking what is NRC and he was totally unaware about it. Protecting Constitution and secularism is not only the right of Muslims but it is equal right of Hindus, Sikhs and Christians. The voice has been raised all over the country and it should reach to Delhi and echo all over the globe,” said Kannan Gopinath.

Human rights activist Shivasundar said, "In the year 2014, we appointed Chowkidaar. In 2019, he is asking if we are the owners of our own house. Constitution says we are the people of this country. Yes we are the owner of this country and president, prime minister, DC, SP are the public servants. We have decided to live in peace and harmony. However, when don’t know anything about Indian independence. You won’t understand people’s sentiments. Atleast now start reading your history books.”

He also said, "When Savarkar was arrested, the very next day he agreed to be a slave of the British. You people don’t know about country, don’t know about Indian independence and you are easily dividing people.”

“Home minister Amit Shah has created a lot of confusion. Why is there violence in a state where BJP is ruling? Police can control over one lac crowd in pro-CAA protest but to control 200 people, police need to use guns. When police do not follow Indian Republic and prefer to follow Kalladka Republic and Nagpur Republic this will be the consequence,”Shivasundar added.

"Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat had said in a pro CAA protest, if Nehru would have listened to Ambedkar, this situation would not have occurred. But Ambedkar had said if this country would be Hindu nation, it is more dangerous and this should not be allowed. Atleast Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat should have followed Ambedkar. India is not only home land of Hindus but of every religion. I have never seen a Prime Minister till today who tell so many lies. His lies begin from the moment he utters the word Mitro,” said Shivasundar.

"Hindu nation will not be against Muslims but also against Dalits, poor and suppressed. BJP only delivered fake promises, be it unemployment, farmers suicide, drop in GDP and the ongoing economic crisis. We demand that in February session, opposition should not allow the implementation of NPR, NRC and CAA and people should fight against CAA, NRC and NPR in the streets. If they say they will not step an inch back, we will fight against them, wipe them and throw them into Arabian Sea,” said Shivasundar.

Advocate Sudheer Kumar Maroli, president of Muslim Central Committee K S Mohammed Masood, Ullal Qazi Fazal Koyamma Tangal, Dakshina Kannada district Wakf Committee president U K Monu Kanachur, MLA U T Khader, MLC B M Farooq, former MLA B A Mohiuddin Bava, Sunni Youth Federation state general secretary Dr Abdul Rashid Zaini, and Karnataka Samastha Mushavara state secretary U K Abdul Aziz Darimi were present.

Vice president Muslim Central Committee Ibrahim Kodijaal welcomed the gathering, vice president Muslim Central Committee B A Mumtaz Ali rendered the vote of thanks, and B A Mohammed Ali compered the programme.

A crowd of over a lac people witnessed the rally. The highway was filled with crowd and traffic was congested with a trail of vehicles for five kilometres.