Tamil Nadu is in a mood of agitation against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 as most districts observed a shut down on Friday. Black fags have been hoisted atop the houses and business establishments of Muslims in Coimbatore district. The district headquarters, described as a sensitive region because of communal clashes in the past wore a deserted look as shops and business premises owned by the minority community downing the shutters since morning.
Many Muslim women were seen standing in front of their houses waving black flags. Tirunelveli, which has a considerable Muslim population too saw a total shut down and vehicles including auto rickshaws keeping off the roads. Taken aback by the turn of events, the Government of Tamil Nadu has declared holidays for all educational establishments in the State till January 1.
Meanwhile, the DMK, has extended invitation to all parties in the State to participate in the public rally to be held on December 23 (Monday) against the CAA. Addressing a Christmas rally organised by the party , M K Stalin, DMK president, said the rally to be held on Monday would be the biggest and largest public demonstration in the history of the State against the ‘anti-people Narendra Modi Government at the Centre’.
“We are asking all political parties, including those which are not constituents of our front, to participate in this rally against the anti-people CAA. The DMK will always remain with the minorities and will be in the forefront to safeguard and protect all their interests,” said Stalin while addressing the rally which was attended by many priests and nuns.
He said he would be meeting film actors and ask them to be part of the Monday rally. “The DMK has written to all trade unions , farmers, government employees and artists to come out and extend support to the rally,” said Stalin.
According to the notification issued by the State government, educational institutions have been closed till January 1 on account of election to rural local bodies and Christmas holidays. But the reason seems to be the unrest in the campuses because of the CAA and also due to the rally to be held under the auspices of the DMK on Monday.
Elsewhere in the State, the Muslim community seems to be in a state of agitation. The Friday prayers and congregations in mosques went on for hours and the main topic of discussion was the CAA.