A massive protest was staged this afternoon at Delhi’s  JantarMantar against the Citizenship Amendment Act. From human rights activists and journalists to students and lawyers, thousands of people attended it. The protest was organised by the organisation Notinmyname. 

The protest began with chants of  “Allahu Akbar”, which were soon stopped as the demonstration was not just for Muslims but for every Indian who has faith in the Indian constitution, the organisers said. Students of Jamia Milia Islamia who had been lathicharged by the police for protesting against the law on Friday were in attendance as well. 

Human rights activist Harsh Mander, who had said he would declare himself a Muslim if the Citizenship Amendment Bill was passed by the parliament, addressed the gathering. Mander said, “When the country was divided, Muslims had to choose whether they wanted to stay in a secular country that is India or go to a country which was formed on the basis of religion that is Pakistan. So, the rest of the Indians are Indians by chance, but Muslims of this country are Indians by choice.” 

The protest was marked by constant sloganeering. “Inquilab Zindabad”, “Rollback the CAB”, and “ Narendra Modi haye haye” were the common chants.

Later, two little girls Sophia and Asfia, both ten to twelve years old, walked up to the stage and narrated their personal experiences. Sofia said, “While coming back to school in a bus, a child called me a Pakistani because I am Muslim. I said no. I’m an Indian, born in India, born in Gurgaon. But he did not believe my truth and started teasing me for being a Pakistani.”

One could see a sea of placards condemning the law. On one of the posters the symbol of the BJP was compared to the Nazi Swastika.

A copy of the text of the law was distributed amongst the protesters to be torn apart. The plan was to dump the shredded paper outside Rashtrapati Bhawan as a mark of protest.

“We are all Indian and we all have equal rights and we should not be discriminated at all on the basis of our religion. That’s why we are united here to oppose the CAB,” said Syed Abas from Delhi. 

Paplu Pearson Borah from Assam who has been working in Delhi for the last five years said, “We don’t want CAB to be implemented in India and especially in Assam. If it has to be implemented in Assam, there has to be an amendment in the CAB because five lakh illegal immigrants will be given residual citizenship in India and the main impact will be on Assam. We Assamese do not want illegal immigrants in Assam.”

“The government is ignoring everyone. Wherever there is a protest in the country the government imposes curfew, but how long are we suppose to take it. Now the establishment is blatantly coming out against Muslims. Initially, they used to do it indirectly but now they are coming out against Muslims of this country openly,” said Arshi, a student from Delhi University.

Taking aim at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, some of the students started chanting, “Gali gali main shor hai, Modi, Shah chor hai.”

A protester, holding a copy of the Indian constitution close his chest, said, “The way people are disrespecting the constitution is bizarre. The time has come when you have to hold the constitution of India close to your heart to show your respect”.

Rockpo, a Delhi University student from Arunachal Pradesh, said, “We are not against welcoming the immigrants but the law is very discriminatory against Muslims.  My point is, first the citizens of this country should be made comfortable. Then welcome others.” 

The demonstration got over around six in the evening with the protesters saying they would continue to oppose the new law. Rahul Roy, from Notinmyname, said they would take the protest to every state in India.