Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, Feb 22: Amulya Leona Noronha, an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) activist, who courted arrest after shouting 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan thrice before starting her speech at a protest held on February 20 at the Freedom Park here, has claimed that her real purpose was not to hail Pakistan. She also has sought to say that if she was allowed to complete her address, this would not have happened.

Amulya, who is in judicial custody relating to her above act, gave a statement to the police as above.

"There have been instances where those opposing CAA are advised to migrate to Pakistan. People also raise 'Hindustan Zindabad' slogans in speeches aimed at hitting back at the CAA detractors. The gathering hails India on such occasions. But when 'Pakistan Zindabad' slogan is raised, the audience keep quiet. When the gathering remains silent, it denotes their patriotism. None responded when I shouted 'Pakistan Zindabad'. I wanted to say next that all of are Indians, and had planned to raise 'Hindustan Zindabad' slogan thereafter. But once I hailed Pakistan, the microphone was snatched away. Even though I requested for an opportunity to complete my address, no one listened to my request," the lady stated.

An official said that Amulya also claimed that she raised 'Pakistan Zindabad - Hindustan Zindabad' slogan thrice without the microphone after it was taken away, but the organizers and MP Asaduddin Owaisi, sent her away from the meeting, saying that she was not permitted to utter such things.

Upparpet station police from here have shifted Amulya to Parappana Agrahara prison. A police officer said that organizers of the programme and those on the dais at the time were questioned relating to this incident.

The officials said that Amulya has been identified with leftist organizations, and she had taken part in several protest programmes. She had taken active part in struggle for land and housing for the poor, freeing Karnataka of bribe, Jamia Milia Islamia University and Jawaharlal Nehru University incidents and protests organized by leftist outfits. She also had participated in a number of anti-CAA protests organized in various parts of the state, they said.

A media statement made by Amulya in the past has now become viral. In the video, she can be seen claiming that a team of advisers’ works behind her and that credit for her addresses has to go to the team members. "Experts tell me what and how I have to speak at programmes. A huge team of students is backing me. Bengaluru Students Alliance is backing me. I am allowed to become the face of the struggle, but the real heroes are the once who work in the background. I am just their face," she had said in the said video.

• Bengaluru: Pro-Pakistan sloganeering - Amulya remanded to 14 days judicial custody
• Young anti-CAA activist Amulya Leona Noronha shouts 'Pakistan Zindabad', arrested