This republic day Indians reclaimed the republic, embraced the constitution, with Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh in one hand and tricolor in another and came to the streets in a celebration of protests.
India has lost a lot in the last one year in terms of democratic and secular values that it stood by with the abrogation of article 370, Ayodhya- Babri masjid judgment and citizenship Amendment Act 2019 (CAA). As it turns out its the citizenship amendment act that attacked the very soul of India also turned out to be the final straw that broke the patience of Indians and the flood of people came to the streets.
We are seeing daily protests and demonstrations in almost all parts of the country. These protests do not just showcase the anger towards the divisive citizenship law but also the pent up frustration of the people who are fed up with the lies and deceit of the ruling government. People voted for jobs and development but are handed out manuals of hate and bigotry.
Here are some of the images from yesterday’s protests. Some were record-breaking but almost all were heartwarming.
Kerala made a record with 621km human chain from northen end of Kerala to the southern end with around 70 lakh people across political lines observed Republic Day with a pledge to protect the Constitution.
Several mosques and churches hoisted tricolor and read out Preamble of the Constitution on the Republic day.
A view from the 620 km long human chain in Kerala to protest against the anti constitutional CAA, NRC & NPR and ‘Hum Dekhenge’ in Malayalam in the background.
Let our PM identity all these people by their dresses 🙂
pic.twitter.com/N9exiGsooa— Ravi Nair (@t_d_h_nair) January 26, 2020
Many people who were getting married on Republic Day also joined in the Human chain Because personal is political.
A state fighting a fascist state.
Kerala human chain, several newly weds came straight to join the chain.
Resistance. #KeralaHumanChain pic.twitter.com/Mw6JyyOPEp— Hum dekhenge (@ajith347) January 27, 2020
Shaheen Bagh: Small protest by a group of women against CAA in South Delhi neighborhood of Kalindi Kunj has become the epitome of protests against the citizenship amendment act. Now in lakhs, women, young, old and babies even have turned the place into a living breathing political space with demonstrations, arts, songs, and overall solidarity. The republic day saw the grandmas of Shaheen bagh with Rohit Vemula and Junaid’s mothers together hoisted the national flag at Shaheen Bagh in the presence of thousands of people. Umar Khalid and Jignesh Mevani also spoke at the event.
BHARAT MATA KI JAY??????????????#ShaheenBagh@caaprotest @NrcProtest @ResistCAA @QutqutG @MumbAgainstCAB @Mumbaichamulgaa @Me_nehru @Nehr_who @ndtv @TheQuint @thewire_in @ThePrintIndia @PriyankKharge @INCIndia pic.twitter.com/UGQUgTr2c8
— ROHAN (@ROHAN85177757) January 26, 2020
Happy Republic day. Shaheen bagh, today. pic.twitter.com/BZzfAIPraM
— Resist CAA (@ResistCAA) January 26, 2020
In West Bengal, thousands in the capital Kolkata also formed an 11km (seven-mile) human chain.
The protest in Kolkata was organised by the United Interfaith Foundation India, a group comprising leaders of different religious communities in the state.
CPIM human chain in different parts of West Bengal on #RepublicDay to assert our commitment to defend the principles of Indian constitution. pic.twitter.com/KqoXz0cOBO
— CPI (M) (@cpimspeak) January 26, 2017
Indians abroad and many human rights organization also took out rallies and demonstrations to condemn the inhuman citizenship amendment act. Protests from the US, UK, Canada, and Europe and against the fascist onslaught were seen.
The massive #UKCAAProtest in London today with diaspora members from all communities and parts of the UK, from all faiths and none coming together against #fascism in India! #CAA_NRCProtests pic.twitter.com/m7gOv6xzuu
— SouthAsia Solidarity (@SAsiaSolidarity) January 25, 2020
US: Washington DC
More than a thousand have now gathered in DC & we have shut down the busiest intersection in the city, DuPont Circle.
We are saying no to Modi, Amit Shah, CAA, NRC & Kashmiri oppression. We are saying yes to human dignity, freedom & liberation for all peoples. pic.twitter.com/fIKfU0sKpc
— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) January 26, 2020
Many hundreds have gathered in DC to condemn the fascist agenda of Modi, Amit Shah, the BJP & RSS. Little ones, young people, elders & everyone in between.
We are here & we will march. pic.twitter.com/UEI0Lf0irI
— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) January 26, 2020
A group of European Parliament legislators also condemned the CAA and NRC and want the Indian government to revoke these anti-people laws.
.@IndiaToday As the lead mover of the @Europarl_EN Resolution on India’s CAA & NRC laws, I am deeply concerned that CAA is “fundamentally discriminatory in nature” & the impact of NRC on certain groups of residents. I am saddened by the loss of life & violence against protesters pic.twitter.com/UAm39bBKtG
— Shaffaq Mohammed MEP ? (@shaffaqmohd) January 26, 2020
Europe: Finland
— Azaadi from Oppression and Hate (@NoCAA_Finland) January 26, 2020
Students across American universities read our Preamble of Indian constitution to remind us of the secular democratic humane values enshrined in our Constitution.
Students across American Universities read our Preamble this #RepublicDay #Resistance pic.twitter.com/j37U6gjXMw
— CAA / NRC Protest Info. (@NrcProtest) January 26, 2020
The world is watching!