Thousands of Muslim protestors from various groups gathered at Bengaluru’s Quddu’s Saheb Edigah grounds on Monday morning to protest against CAA (Citizen Amendment Act) and NRC (National Register of Citizenship). The crowd started to gather around 10:30 in the morning and within sometime the ground became packed with protestors. The security personnel later had to lock the gates and install barricades.
People joining the protest came waving the national flag and shouting slogans when prompted.
Loudspeakers were installed at various points from where the announcements to maintain peace were being made.
Former IAS officer and activist Harsh Mander called for civil disobedience movement to counter the government’s NRC program. He said, following Gandhiji’s rules, he will stand against discrimination, thus pledging that he will not submit his documents.
“Let them put me in detention, we will fill them up by not submitting our documents”, Harsh said.
An elated crowd began shouting “Hum Kagaz Nahi denge…” (We will not submit our documents), and pledged to take part in the civil disobedience, if the need be.
Former IAS officer Shashikant Senthil, who resigned from his post as Deputy Commissioner of Dakshina Kannada District earlier this year citing intolerance on behalf of the government, was also present. Senthil too called for a civil disobedience movement.