Members of several Muslim bodies of the State staged a peaceful demonstration here on Tuesday in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Holding placards with ‘Save Democracy’ and ‘Boycott CAA’ messages, the minority community members took out a rally from Satyanagar covering several parts of the city up to Sishu Bhawan Chhak.
Later, the members went to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at his residence to submit a memorandum demanding withdrawal of the CAA and measures to protect the community’s interests in the State.
Terming the CAA as unconstitutional, the protesters alleged that it violates Articles 14 and 15 of the Constitution. Since there is an apprehension of discrimination, it is distressing to see that the Constitutional rights in secular India are at stake, they said.
“We want immediate withdrawal of the CAA to bring peace in the country. Unio Home Minister Amit Shah recently said the issue will be reviewed, but we want that the Government should immediately withdraw it,” said an agitator.
Another agitator said, “The Muslim community is apprehensive about the CAA; and we want our Chief Minister not to implement it in Odisha.”