Farm unions protest in Malerkotla
MALERKOTLA: Members of 14 farm and labour unions held a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the National Population Register (NPR) at the Malerkotla grain market on Sunday. The well-attended rally saw participation from women (Muslims as well as Sikhs) and the youth. Protesters raised slogans against the BJP and the CAA.
Markets in the town remained closed and locals organised a langar of fruit for protesters. Protesters from Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia and Jawahar Lal University (JNU), Delhi, joined in.
Author and activist Harsh Mander, professor Jagmohan Singh and professor Parminder also addressed the gathering, along with leaders of farmer and labour outfits.
The slogan ‘Bhai nalbhai larren nee dena, sun santaali banan nee dena loosely translated as (Don’t misguide us, don’t repeat 1947 again) was raised a number of times with the protesters claiming that an anti-CAA week will be observed across the state from February 24-29.
“The people of Punjab are opposing the CAA by following teachings of Sikh Gurus. Indians will not allow the sending of a single Muslim to any detention centre; such places are hell on earth.We will oppose the NPR and the Punjab government should not implement it in the state. Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder has already rejected it,” said Mander.
“The Parliament and Supreme Court will not decide about the CAA but the unity of Indians will decide whether it will be implemented or not,” Mander told HT.
Professor Jagmohan Singh, nephew of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, said, “The legacy of Malerkotla is rich, so the residents are opposing anti-people laws. In India, the ruler (government) is violating the constitution and the citizens are agitating to save it. This is very unfortunate.”
Amolak Singh, president, Punjab Lok Sabhyacharak Manch (PLS Manch), said the BJP government wanted to divide the country on the basis of Hindutva.
“Citizens are out on road against anti-people laws. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should know that fate Hitler had met,” he added.