Religious heads from different communities participate in human chain formation in Kolkata, outside Mother’s House, headquarters for Missionaries of Charity. (Source: UIFI)
Caravan News
NEW DELHI – Thousands of people from cross sections of the society — from children to octogenarians — assembled in Kolkata to form a human chain on Republic Day, to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Population Register (NPR) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Waving national flag, People from different communities held hands to form an 11-km chain, stretching from the north to the south of the city. Reading aloud the Preamble, participants pledged to protect the Constitution of the country and uphold the nation’s plurality, reported the Indian Express.
Starting from Shyam Bazaar in the north to Golpark in the southern part of the city, people came out to form the chain around noon, raising slogans of ‘Saare Jahan Se Achha, Hindustan Hamara’ and ‘Vande Mataram’.
“Usually on Republic Day, people sit back and watch the parade on television. But this year, it’s heartwarming to see everyone come out and stand together. We will not allow anyone to break this unity in diversity. Segregating us on the basis of religion is a direct attack on the ethos of India, and we the people will oppose it,” said Sayoni Ghosh, a first-year student of Calcutta University. Ghosh and friends had joined the protest in Shyam Bazaar.
Although the organisers called for people to hold hands for just 10 minutes, as more enthusiastic participants kept coming in, the formation continued beyond the stipulated time. However, the organisers claimed, they dispersed everyone quickly to not hamper traffic, and assembled only on the sides of the main streets.
