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Oppn firm in continuing CAA stir
Leaders of major opposition parties on Sunday said that the protests against CAA will continue till its withdrawal.
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Following the police excess against the anti-CAA protesters in Washermenpet, on Friday, the protests spread across the state. Leaders of various opposition parties in a unified tone had expressed their support for the anti-CAA protests.
After Central Chennai MP Dayanidhi Maran went to Washermanpet and joined hands with protesters NTK leader Seeman also expressed his solidarity.
“India is our country. This is a democratic country. Our contribution is significant for the formation of the country and we will continue to protestagainst this undemocratic CAA,” said Seeman.
“CAA is against humanity. India is the only country to reject citizenship for Eelam Tamils, but many countries across the world have embraced them. Canada went a step head by celebrating a full month as Tamil heritage month, but in CAA Tamils from Sri Lanka are excluded which is a grave injustice,” he said.
He also said that people from Islamic and Christian communities should protest against CAA as the Union government is against them.
VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan also expressed the same opinion on the protests. “Democratic forces will continue to protest against CAA until the legislation is withdrawn. Centre is trying to hide the facts about the ongoing legal issues against CAA and is trying to spread fake news,” he said, after participating in the signature campaign against CAA organised by the DMK.
Jayakumar meetsJamath members
Meanwhile, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar held a meeting with members of various Jamath on Sunday and assured that their concerns will be informed to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami. “AIADMK government will continue to protect the rights of minorities. We will discuss with Chief Minister and will ensure that government passes resolution against CAA in the Assembly,” said Jayakumar.
However, the BJP blamed DMK for the anti-CAA protests. Former MP and senior BJP leader L Ganesan said, “Through anti-CAA protests DMK is trying to disturb law and order in the state by instigating the protesters to gain their votes. They see the issue politically by comprising the interests of the nation,” said Ganesan.
Petition with 2.5 cr signatures against CAA sent to Kovind
The DMK-led Opposition on Sunday sent the petitions collected during the signature campaign against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Population Register (NPR) and National Register of Citizens (NRC) to Rashtrapathi Bhavan by air. The petitions signed by 2.05 crore people during the campaign conducted from February 2 to 8 were sent to the President’s residence from DMK headquarters Anna Arivalayam on Sunday. DMK president MK Stalin, Dravidar Kazhagam president K Veeramani, TNCC president KS Alagiri, MDMK chief Vaiko, VCK leader Thol Thirumavalavan and leaders of ally CPI, CPM, IUML, MMK, IJK and KMDK were also present during the event. As per a statement released by the DMK headquarters, 4.11 lakh forms were signed by 2.05 crore people across the state during the campaign run by the Secular Progressive Alliance parties.
“Tamil Nadu is expecting the President to respect the sentiments of the state and recommend the Centre to revoke CAA and suspend NRC and NPR to safeguard democracy and the Constitution,” the statement released in connection with it by the DMK said. Earlier, DMK president Stalin said that a delegation of the Opposition MPs, if necessary, after the signature campaign, would visit the President and urge him to advise the Centre to repeal CAA.
Protests intensify, entry barred into VOC park in Kovai
Anticipating protests on Sunday, the police blocked entry to public to the ever buzzing VOC Park Grounds in Coimbatore as the anti-CAA agitations continued with renewed vigour here.
A large posse of policemen took over the massive grounds to prevent people from gathering there to condemn police attack on anti-CAA protesters in Chennai.
The grounds, which usually remain crowded on weekends, wore a deserted look as public weren’t allowed inside. Barricades were put up at entry points and cops maintained a high vigil.
Even vehicles were not allowed to pass through the stretch and all eateries on the road stretch remained closed.
“Public entry into the grounds has been restricted fearing an outbreak of protest in the wake of day and night protests gathering momentum in some districts. The public will be disallowed from going into the grounds until the situation returns to normal,” said a police officer.
Meanwhile, in Mettupalayam, over 2,000 members of various Muslim outfits took out a rally carrying a 100 feet long national flag on Sunday evening.
The rally commenced at Co-operative Colony on Karamadai Road and ended on ‘Peria Pallivasal Thidal.’ To prevent any untoward incidents, more than 500 cops were deployed for security.
Similarly, in Tirupur district, the anti-CAA protesters continued their Shaheen Bagh like demonstration for the third day condemning police action on anti-CAA protesters in Chennai.
A large number of women continued their sit in protest despite being asked to disperse, said a cop. Similar protests had also spread out to other districts in the Western region.
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