Pune ‘Maha Morcha’: 15,000 protestors take to streets against CAA

At least 15,000 people participated in what was dubbed on social media as a “Maha Morcha”, crossing across communities and religions in the city on Friday. The participating protesters tied black ribbons on their shoulders.

Organised by the ‘Sanvidhan Bachao Kruti Samiti’, the morcha, opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Registry of Citizenship (NRC), began at the Babajan dargah chowk at 2.30 pm and ended at the Pune district collector’s office.

Shops and commercial establishments en route closed down in support of the morcha resulting in the Cantonment area going into lock-down mode. The morcha had members and priests of several religions: Muslim, Hindu, Christian, Sikh and Buddhists. Women and students participated in large numbers.

Yash Zagade, a student from JSM College, who participated in the protest, said, “I have come here to participate in this morcha with my friends to oppose NRC and CAA. Both these acts are against the constitution of India and it divides us based on religion, caste and language. We all are one as an Indian and so today we are protesting for our better future.”

Anjum Inamdar, one of the organisers of the protest, said, “There are apprehensions and fear if the said law is implemented jointly, will benefit non-Muslims who are excluded from the NRC. While excluded Muslims will have to prove their citizenship and the real burden will be only on Muslims to prove their citizenship.”

“It runs against the ‘religious pluralism’ and ‘spirit of tolerance’ of the Indian nation. If the CAA and NRC are implemented it will destroy the brotherhood and common fabric among the Indians,” said Inamdar.

The memorandum submitted by the organisation leaders and priests who participated in the protest reads, “Through this Maha morcha we want to express our strong objection to the aforementioned amended laws CAA and NRC as it is discriminatory and against secularism. This is one of the basic features of the Constitution of India vide Article 14,15 and 25. Religion cannot become a basis in granting or depriving a person of citizenship. The whole idea behind the above-amended law is to divide the nation into religious and sectarian lines. We condemn the above said amended law and request you to further amend CAA 2019 and include Muslims also.”

The memorandum was later submitted to the Pune district collector Naval Kishor Ram.

Ravindra Rasal, assistant commissioner of police (Lashkar division), said, “When the protest was initially started from the Babajan dargah chowk the number of protestors was around 10,000 but touched 15,000 when it reached Pune district collector office.”

500 protesters in Pimpri

A similar protest was organised at Pimpri near Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar chowk starting at 2.30 pm and at least 500 people participated in the same. Organisations who participated in the protest include All India Majlis-e-Ittehad-ul-Muslimeen (AIMIM)Rayat Vidyarthi Vichar Manch, Nagari Hakk Suraksha Samiti, Kashtkari Kamgar Panchayat, Bhimshakti Yuva Sanghtana and others.

Two protests on Saturday

- Protest against CAA and NRC by Northeast Community Organisation of Pune. The protest will start at 4 pm from the Jhansi Rani Laxmibai chowk near Balgandharv Rang Mandir.

- Protest to support CAA by BJP and other organisations. The protest will be held at 5.30 pm at Balgandharv auditorium chowk.