Thousands of fearless women from activists and lawyers to students, housewives and grandmothers, both Hindu and Muslim, women across India have been at the forefront of the resistance to the new citizenship law.
Protesters inspire national movement against the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) or a nationwide citizenship test, known as the NRC, which could result in millions of Muslims being declared illegal aliens in their own country.
The protesters from Assam said the people of Assam won’t accept the Citizenship (Amendment) Act as, they said, the new law would be a threat to the indigenous people of the state, the Assamese language, culture, heritage, and civilization.
The protesters shouted slogans against the new citizenship Act and the BJP-led both Central and the state governments. Several actors, singers and academicians also took part in the anti-CAA protest on Sunday. For many, it is the first time political engagement.
Reports say, supported by volunteers who bring biryani meals, chai and blankets, groups have started occupation protests in about 20 cities across the country of 1.3 billion people to demand the repeal of the law that opponents say is anti-Muslim.
Nearly all pay tribute to the 200 grandmothers and housewives and students who sit and sleep across the main road in the Shaheen Bagh district of Delhi, fighting a law that would give passports to “persecuted” religious minorities from three neighboring countries but only non-Muslims.
The home minister Amit Shah had said that “Assam and West Bengal will be the highest affected area for this Act. We strongly protest against the CAA because it is a threat to our indigenous identity. Our protest is not against any religion, this is not against the Bengali community.”
>Juthy Saha
