Protest In Washington Against CAA And NRC

Hundreds of people assembled in front of the Embassy of India, in Washington, on Sunday to protest against the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA). The 'Rally Against NRC, CAA' held in front of the iconic statue of Mahatma Gandhi, and was attended by over 500 people, making it one of the largest protest rallies held at the venue in recent years. Protesters huddled together in front of the bronze statue, dedicated to the leader who helped liberate India.

The controversial CAA, passed by the Indian lawmakers on December 11, fast-tracks citizenship applications of minorities from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan, except for Muslim refugees from these countries who are fleeing similar oppression. NRC was implemented in the Assam, and India’s Home Minister Amit Shah has said that it will be extended nationally. The passing of CAA resulted in protest across India, costing nearly 2-dozen lives.

A chant repeated throughout the protest was 'Azadi', a Hindi and Urdu word that translates to freedom. Protester Maneera Ali had a personalized message for the Indian PM Narendra Modi. “You run the government by the constitution, not by your agenda, or pleasing your camps, rise above it,” she said. “You are the PM of India, you should listen to every single person in this country.”

The event saw Indian Americans of different faiths and sub nationalities. Many first-generation Indian Americans, who spent their formative years in India, came with their kids.