Protest Against Citizenship Act Amendment Bill

STUDENT organisations, youth organisation, trade unions and civil society members held a protest demonstration at Jantar Mantar on 14th January demanding the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the sedition charges against Hiren Gohain, Akhil Gogoi, Manjit Mahanta and others. Organisations like AISA, RYA, AIPF, AICCTU, United Against Hate, CPIM- ML and other individuals participated in the protest. Niraj Kumar, General Secretary of Revolutionary Youth Association conducted the proceedings.

Delhi AISA President, Kawalpreet Kaur speaking at the protest said, 'The citizenship amendment is a major blow to the secular fabric of our country. It makes religion the basis of citizenship in our country. This is a clear violation of our secular constitution.'

Kiran Shaheen, senior journalist and member of All India Peoples Forum said, 'Hiren Gohain, Akhil Gogoi are well known activists and scholars, it is absolutely shameful that the BJP Govt has framed sedition charges on them for speaking out against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The issue is not only about Assam or the North East but affects the whole country as it is intends to change the whole basis of Citizenship.'

CPI ML Delhi State Secretary, Ravi Rai said, 'The BJP has made its intention clear by passing the Citizenship Amendment Bill. By making religion the basis of citizenship and excluding Muslims from it the bill is an attempt to legalise a Hindu Rashtra. Today, Assam is burning but the Govt at the centre doesn't care about what is happening there and are arresting activists who are opposing the Bill. We will ensure that the BJP will face protests across the country and we will not allow communal polarisation to divert the attention of the people from the failure of the Modi Govt. We demand that the Amendment is withdrawn and the sedition charges are withdrawn.'