Hyderabad: Several Hyderabadis turned up at People’s Plaza on Thursday to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The city also witnessed several other protests against the legislations where writers, journalists and students participated.
The protestors at People’s Plaza held up placards slamming the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Centre for passing the CAA. Participants shouted slogans such as “Inquilab zindabad” and “Hindu Muslim bhai bhai”. The crowd was sparse, perhaps because of the change in timing which was communicated via social media platforms only hours before the protest. The event was planned at 4 pm but had t be advanced to 3 pm, when the police gave permission. A protester added that the police made things worse by tweeting since the morning that permissions could not be given for protests. Rumours spread on Twitter that Section 144 has been imposed. This wasn’t true but a lot of people believed it. I think the people didn’t turn because they didn’t think we would get permission,” said one of the volunteers.
Murali, a protester said, “This Act is against the fabric of Indian society. We will not rest until this is withdrawn.” Ahmed, another protestor, was engaging others at the venue and preaching Hindu-Muslim unity. “We are all brothers. Together, we can win,” he told a person present there. Representatives of political parties were conspicuous by their absence at the protest. Protestors criticised Congress and other opposition parties for not showing up at the protest. Telangana Jana Samiti chief Prof. M. Kodandaram was perhaps the most popular political leader there. Prof. Kodandaram told Deccan Chronicle, “The political system in Telangana, where there needs to be a healthy and active opposition, is on its deathbed. It is upsetting that most political parties are not taking a stand on this issue.” Post the designated time, many stayed back to clean the venue. Afterwards, many from the Muslim community offered namaz. They reportedly prayed for “the strength to keep fighting till the NRC-CAB is withdrawn”.
