Over a Lakh Stage Massive Rally in Kerala's Kochi to Protest 'CAA'

Kochi, January 2, 2019:

The coastal Kerala city of Kochi made international headlines yesterday after thousands upon thousands poured out onto the streets to protest against the controversial of the Citizenship Act.

The massive rally was spearheaded by the Muslim community carrying placards bearing messages such as: "Lived In India, Will Die In India."

The colorful and vibrant rally was organised jointly by coordination of Muslim organisations, including Samastha Kerala Jamiyathul Ulama, Kerala Muslim Jamaat, Dakshina Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen, Jamaat-e-Islam and Muslim League.

ALSO READ: BJP will not Allow a Single Foreigner to Enter Assam, Claims Ranjeet Dass

The rally was inaugurated by the state president of Muslim League Panakkad Hyderali Shihab Thangal, who told a local daily that Kerala’s secular mindset is the zeal behind this protest.

The joint organizations, at the end of the rally, announced that lakhs people under different Mahallu committees had attended the rally.

Photos released from the site of the Marine Drive, the road along the city’s coast, swamped with people. Aerial view shows an even more astounding sight: the street jam packed with protesters till as far as the eyes can see.

The rally was taken out from the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium. The protesters raised slogans in unison against the Central Government for its amendment of the Citizenship Act. The Keralites were also seen carrying posters of 'Bapu' Mahatma Gandhi, and 'father of the Indian Constitution' B R Ambedkar.

It may be mentioned here that in a rare show of unity, the Kerala assembly on Tuesday passed a resolution demanding that the Centre withdraw the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.