Indian Americans Protest at the California State Capitol against CAA and NRC
By Ras H. Siddiqui
Close to 200 people, predominantly Indian Muslims along with a small group of their friends from the wider Sacramento community, gathered at the California State Capitol steps on Sunday, December 29, 2019 to protest what they see as discriminatory moves by the Modi led BJP government in India. The basic message that they wanted to send out was that the secular fabric of India is being jeopardized by the recent passage of the Citizenship Amendment Bill now known as the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the possible implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC), a pilot project started in Assam, which could be duplicated throughout the country, The widespread impression is that the combination of these two will have a direct detrimental impact on the lives of Muslims living in India. Many protests have already been held within the country, which have resulted in death and destruction in the United Provinces (UP) and Delhi including brute force being used at two Muslim Universities against their student populations.
Now to the rally: This had to be one of the most patriotic anti-India protests that one could possibly witness. The Indian Tricolor was in many hands and flying high along with the American Stars and Stripes as all were welcomed by the first speaker/organizer with the words that we are all gathered here today (on a cold Sacramento December morning) because we love India. Another added that we are all here for the unity of India. And there were cries for “Azadi” (freedom) here, but they were for Azadi within India.
This gathering was also an effort to reject extremism in all forms whether it originated from within Hindus or Muslims. It was certainly a protest against policies of the current government in India but it was being executed by people who strongly love their country of birth. It needs to be noted that the founders of independent India at the time of partition in 1947 touted a secular state and although a few million Muslims did migrate to Pakistan and similarly Hindus and Sikhs entered India from the other direction, the ancestors of current Indian Muslims made the choice to stay where they were because they preferred the secular option.
There were many speakers at this event who voiced support for the rights of all Indians irrespective of their religious backgrounds. CAIR Executive Director BasimElkarra in his speech reminded everyone of the work of individuals including a prominent Indian Muslim from this part of California towards the founding of the Ghadar Party which sought the freedom of India from British rule. Basim added that the non-violent struggle of Mahatma Gandhi influenced the work and life of Dr Martin Luther King Jr. and strongly helped the civil rights struggle right here in America.
Local Punjabi-American Attorney Amar Singh Shergill, a leader amongst California Progressive Democrats, spoke about the need to stand in solidarity with all others on the issue of human rights. He shared what his elders had taught him about Punjabi and South Asian brotherhood irrespective of different faiths. He also spoke about power we possess as a community to exert our influence locally and nationally. You need a wide coalition, he added. Shergill praised Indian-American Members of Congress Ro Khanna and Pramila Jayapal for standing up for the rights of all people in South Asia and indicated that Congressmen Ami Bera needed to be contacted by his voters to be persuaded to add his voice too.
Members of the local interfaith community also spoke and reflected on the current situation as they see it in India. BJP or Hindutva supporters unfortunately were not present here at this event to offer their views.
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