Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal (EP)

Bantwal, Dec 30: “The constitution states that there is no connection between citizenship and religion. But the union government has stepped towards destruction of diversity. It is most dangerous development. Unanimous campaign against it is inevitable,” said progressive thinker, journalist Shashidhar Bhat.

He was speaking in the mass protests held under the aegis of NRC, CAA and NPR protests committee at B C Road on Monday. Lambasting against BJP and Sangh Parivar he said that patriotism is nobody’s property. “BJP is trying to change history and creating illusion among people. Tipu had killed some people for working as agents of British. But there are attempts to convert falsehood as truth that he killed Hindus. The Acts are meant to destroy those who are backward including Muslims. It should be understood that Congress also is involved in turning history. Those who are elected by us are asking us to prove our citizenship. Most of the media is like bulletins of Sangh Parivar,” he said.

Former minister B Ramanath Rai said that those who criticize the union government or the prime minister or the current economic situation these days are accused of treason. “Victory will be ours if we campaign without losing patience,” he said.

JDS leader M B Sadashiva said that this is a campaign to protect the constitution.” I have participated in the protests with pride that I am a Hindu. Protests gain strength when there is peace and patience. Therefore, maintain peace,” he said.

Campaign committee taluk president Mohammed Shafi in his introduction asked if there is any example of anybody from Sangh Parivar having taken part in the freedom struggle. “We should not be asked documents of citizenship. We will not give them. India is our country. We are born here and will die here. This is second freedom struggle and we will send Sangh Parivar out of the country,” he said.

Ashraf Faizi Kodagu in the inauguration said that the Act is not against one community but against the constitution. Yakub Sahadi said that the protests are not from Muslims but by guardians against destroyers. Religious leader Asayyad Yahya Tanjal conducted Dua.

Anish Kausari, Mohammed Kunhi, Hanif Katipalla, Khalil Talapady, Athavulla Jokatte, Hanif Khan, P M Rahim spoke against the Act and lambasted against union government, prime minister Modi and home minister Amit Shah.

Zilla panchayat member B Padmashekar Jain, Chandraprakash Shetty Tumbe, Bantwl taluk panchayat vice president Abbas Ali and heads of various organizations took part.

K H Aboobacker welcomed. Akbar Ali Ponnodi compered the programme. Thousands of people took part in the protests and shouted slogans. The protests began at 2.30 pm and continued till 6 pm. Strict police security was arranged in the leadership of DSP Laxmi Prasad.