By Imran Inamdar, TwoCircles.net
Solapur (Maharashtra):
Protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) have intensified across the country as more communities other than Muslims are coming out to voice their dissent. The latest is from the textile city of western Maharashtra, Solapur, where differently aligned organizations have united to join the fight against NRC and CAA by staging flag marches and candlelight vigils.
“Lawmakers should concentrate on education, women’s safety, poverty and unemployment instead of harassing their citizens in the name of acts and laws,” says Darshana Gaikwad, District General Secretary of Bheem Army Women’s Wing. Gaikwad is leading the state’s Shaheen Bagh inspired protest from 2 February at Poonam Gate near Zilla Parishad Compound.
Speaking with Twocircles.net, Darshana expressed that at a time when rising unemployment among youth and declining economy are major concerns, the Centre is busy imposing brutal laws.
Darshana gives an example of how the youth is not only actively fighting against the Act but are also taking care of everyone in the crowd. This, she feels resonates with values of the Indian constitution that provides equality and freedom of speech to all its citizens, adding that they will keep fighting 24×7 for the same.
“On day 1, about 1500 including nearly 800 women from all communities registered their presence and raised the slogans against NRC & CAA and sang the song of Azadi,” says Darshana. She remarks that at a time when the incidence of rapes are increasing in the country, it gives her great happiness to see the women and young girls come out and join the protests in such a large scale.
According to a press note released by the Bheem Army Women’s Wing in the State, female activists of major NGOs like Jijau Brigade, Bhartiye Bodhha Mahasabha, Sant Rohidas Samajik Sanghtna, Bahujan Hak Parishad, Raj Mata Ahilya Devi Mahila Sanghtna, Phule Shahu Ambedkar Padmashali Vichar Manch and Lodhi Samaj Mahila Sanghtna are part of the protest. Darshana adds that male activists from Jamiya-E-Ulema city unit and other political parties have also come forward to support female protestors.
“We are here to save our Constitution by demanding to withdraw the dangerous Act,” said Praniti Shinde, MLA of Solapur central constituency while speaking with the media. Shinde also visited the protest spot to extend her support. She adds that as two-three states have already passed the resolution against the Act, she expects the Maharashtra government will do the same.
