Kolkata: The human chain formation organised by the United Interfaith Foundation – India (UIFI) started from Goal Park in south Kolkata and ended in Shyam Bazaar five points crossing in north Kolkata, saw people of different age groups holding each other’s hand and singing the national anthem to celebrate Republic Day.
As the clock struck 12 noon, all the participants held their hands and not only sang the National Anthem but also had many participants read out the Preamble of the Indian Constitution.
Talking to eNewsroom, Ashima Ghosh, a homemaker said that she has been extremely vocal against NRC, NPR and CAA from the very beginning as she feels such bills and acts will make several Indians homeless.
“It is not easy to mark and identify illegal immigrants across the country. But in the process to do so several legal citizens will be deprived of their citizenship. It is the main reason I am always hitting the streets wherever there is a protest against NRC,” said Ghosh holding the national flag and singing the anthem at Goal Park more.
Nuns and monks of the Christian community were also seen forming the human chain at Park Circus seven point crossing near the Park Circus Maidan, where the women protesting for last two weeks and the place is being called Shaheen Bagh of Kolkata.
Sister Margaret who was chanting anti BJP slogans said that Kolkata or the city of joy is always united when it comes to oppose any changing and amending to the Constitution.
“We want to up hold the majesty of the Constitution. Today is the 70th birthday of the adoption of Republic of India. So we are celebrating the birthday by standing and holding each other’s hand who are the citizens of India,” mentioned Margaret.
Margaret claimed that the protests also reverberated in the churches during the Sunday morning prayers, as all attendees read out the Preamble together before joining the human chain.
Hundreds of black balloons with the slogans ‘No CAA, No NRC, No NPR’ and ‘BJP are fascists’ were released at Park Circus.
Usman Khan, whose wife has been protesting at Park Circus Maidan for the last 10-12 days said, “Today’s programme was led by common people. We didn’t allow any political leaders or political parties to participate in the human chain. It is our pledge to protect the Constitution. People are excited, determined to carry on the protests. We are sure that both the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister will have to think twice before implementing such acts at least in Bengal.”
Muzaffar Ali, one of the persons actively supporting the sit-in taking place at Park Circus said that many protesters have joined the human chain today and also that once the women have come out to make their voices heard, there is no way they will head back home till the goal is achieved.
Anjana Roychowdhury, a television actress on her way back from shooting joined the human chain protest at Ballygunge Phari. She said that protests and demonstration had also made British leave the country and also that time has come when the BJP led Central Government will also have to think and re-think the repercussions if they forcefully implement the NRC in India.
“After huge protests erupted against the Rowlatt Act, the British government was forced to withdraw it. And also they were forced to leave our country after the Indians stood firm and united. We will force the present central government to do the same by our unity and confidence,” added the television actress.
