By Abdul Hafiz Lakhani, Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad: Now, PM Modi’s land Gujarat has another “Shaheen Bagh” at Ahmedabad’s Rakhiyal area–a dominated Muslim ghetto. Ajit Mill compound see the sit-in and dharnas for the last four days. Shaheen Bagh is an inspiration for so many women here who brave the chilling cold during the nights but their spirit is unmoved. Shaheen Bagh has become the face of ongoing protests and galvanized people.
“In solidarity, we’ve started protests in here as well so that it continues to inspire people”, said Kaleem Siddiqi, a local social activist. He and another young activist Sufiyan Rajput have set up a committee- named Ahmedabad Jan Aandolan Samiti. This Samiti has organized this protest and dharnas.
Last night Gujarat’s firebrand Independent MLA Jignesh Mevani was here to support the women protesters who have become the voice of many women. He lambasted Modi led government for CAA, NRC and NPR. He said that these laws are anti-Constitution and against the idea of India. He added that this law was discriminatory and disharmonious and would divide the people on the line of caste and religion.
Vagdam’s MLA Mevani asked people to boycott NPR as this is also a part of NPR. He told that he will not show any documents or will not give any paper to anybody. “The CAA cannot be seen or interpreted without linking it with the National Register of Citizens and the National Population Register. The NRC seems to have back-fired in Assam. “The government is spreading hatred and trying to divide people”, he added.
Kaleem Siddiqi alleged that CAA is out to defame Islam and Muslims. In India, Dalits, Muslims and other marginalized people are persecuted more than in Muslims countries. In Pakistan and Bangladesh parliament seats for minorities are reserved. In those countries, nobody is being killed on the name of Allah O Akbar, while in India, many Muslims and Dalits are lynched for not uttering Jay Sri Ram.
Another organizer Young activist Sufiyan Rajput said that we will not go anywhere. Our ancestors were here for many decades. We have given sacrifices for the freedom of India.
Hundreds of women and children carrying placards raised slogans