Anti-CAA Protest: Thousands turn up at protest called by Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem in Bhatkal

Anti-CAA Protest: Thousands turn up at protest called by Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem in Bhatkal

Bhatkal: Thousands of people turned up at a massive protest against ‘Citizenship Amendment Act’ and NRC called by Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem here on Monday, December 23.

The protest began with a rally that commenced from Bhatkal Sports ground and passed through Shamsuddin circle before culminating at the Anjuman Boys’ high school ground, where the leaders from various social organizations and communities addressed the gathering. During the rally protesters shouted anti-CAA slogans.

It is to be noted that Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem had also called for ‘Bhatkal Bandh’ today during the time of the protest, following which most of the shops, office establishments and educational institutions remained closed.

On the occasion former president of Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem Advocate Muzammil Kazia, well-known social worker Shiv Sundar, General Secretary of Tanzeem MJ Abdur Raqeeb Nadvi, CPIM leader Dr Shivprakash, Convenor of Protest Committee Inayatullah Shabandari, Bhatkal block Congress President Advocate Santosh Naik, CPIM district President Yamuna Gaonkar, Khateeb of Jaali Jamia Masjid Maulana Iqbal Naite Nadvi, and Namadhari community leader M R Naik addressed the protestors by hitting out CAB bill terming it as unconstitutional. They urged to withdraw the newly passed Citizenship Amendment Act. The speakers also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for trying to divide citizens of India on the basis of religious lines. The speakers said that those trying to bring changes to the constitution as nation haters, and those preserving the constitution with dignity as the real patriotics.

Former General Secretary of Tanzeem Dr Haneef Shabab compered the event. Presiding over the event, Tanzeem president SM Syed Ahmed Parvez while addressing the gathering said that the fight against Citizenship Amendment Act will continue until the Act is withdrawn.

Advocate Imran Lanka read out the memorandum which was addressed to the Chief Justice of India. The memorandum was then submitted through the Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner.

During the protest, heavy police security was deployed at every corner of the town, especially at the protest premises.

The Bhatkal Auto rickshaw drivers’ union and Taxi drivers’ union also extended their support for the protest and stopped their services untill the end of protest.