Leaders and workers belonging to the Congress, the CPI, the CPI(M) and other likeminded parties coming together under the banner of Progressive Citizens’ Forum staged a rally here on Sunday in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the proposed National Population Register (NPR).
The rally started from the Dargha Maidan, moved through the town and culminated at the district Collectorate.
Forum president Sk Abdul Rafiq led the rally. Former MLAs Arun Dey, Pradipta Panda, Jayant Das, Sanjib Giri and Gouranga Panigrahi addressing the gathering appealed to the people to oppose the CAA, NRC and the NPR mooted by the Central Government “against the basic principles and spirits of the Constitution”.
They alleged that the new laws and policies would divide the nation in the name of religion. “The Constitution doesn’t mention about religion-based citizenship. They said BJP-led Government is trying to implement such acts to create vote banks. The Sangh and Home Minster would fail in their attempt as protests have spread worldwide,” said leaders.
The agitators also appealed to Baleswar residents to make Baleswar Bandh on January 8 a complete success.