Jamshedpur, Jan 29: The Bharat Bandh called by multiple organisations evoked lukewarm response in the city and the district. The bandh was called in order to protest against the recently passed Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Bharat Bandh called by Dalit organizations under the banner of Bahujan Kranti Morcha against CAA evoked lukewarm response in the city areas. Barring the minority dominated areas in Azadnagar (in Mango), Dhatkidih (in Bistupur) and pockets of Jugsalai, public transport including private town buses and auto-rickshaw plied normally. Most of the nearly 100 private town buses plied normally.
Most of the schools remained closed due to Basant Panchami (Saraswati Puja) however, higher educational institutions and commercial establishments remained open throughout the day.
Police security saw the bandh supporters being taken under preventive custody soon after they came out at major roundabouts to enforce bandh across city with no incident of violence being reported from anywhere.
East Singhbhum SSP Anoop Birtharay, termed the bandh as entirely peaceful. �Not a single damage to private or government property has been reported from anywhere in the district. The bandh was entirely peaceful,� said Anoop Birtharay.
Supporters in large numbers carrying posters and placards against BJP-led government at the Centre, raised slogans against bringing in the ‘divisive’ Citizenship Amendment Act. With ongoing protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the nation, the district administration had made elaborate security arrangements.
An activist said that protests have broken out across India. The Act seeks to amend the definition of illegal immigrant for Hindu, Sikh, Parsi, Buddhist and Christian immigrants from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh, who have lived in India without documentation. It discriminates against Muslims and violates the right to equality enshrined in the Constitution.
� The BJP has been targeting the minorities to fulfill their vested interests. The CAA targets Muslim identity by declaring India a welcome refuge to all other religious communities. It seeks to legally establish Muslims as second-class citizens of India by providing preferential treatment to other groups. This violates the Constitution�s Article 14, the fundamental right to equality to all persons. This basic structure of the Constitution cannot be reshaped by any Parliament. And yet, the government maintains that it does not discriminate or violate the right to equality,� said the leader.
Another leader said that among the states in the Northeast, the outrage against CAG has been the most intense in Assam. If the same is implemented across the country the people will be harassed.
