Only Muslims are Indians by choice, rest all are Indians by chance: Former IAS officer Harsh Mander
Thousands join Muslim Central Committee's anti-CAA protest in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: Harsh Mander, former IAS Officer on Wednesday asserted that the nation’s fight against the fascist forces like BJP and its parent organisation RSS began over 100 years ago when Mahatma Gandhi returned from South Africa and led the freedom movement against the British.
Speaking at the anti-CAA, NRC protest in Mangaluru, Harsh added that the fight against CAA and NRC is also a fight for saving the secular fabric of this country. He added that the fight began over hundred years ago when organisations like Hindu Mahasabha popped up with their vision to turn the country into a Hindu country.
Harsh asserted the BJP and its allies and parent body are against Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of India and wants to turn it into a Hindu country where other minorities live with fear and on conditions.
Coming down heavily on the BJP for introducing amendments in the Citizenship Act, Harsh called on people to reject CAA, NRC and NPR and urged them to not submit any documents sought by the government and its representatives.
“Do not give, anybody the right to ask you to prove your citizenship or patriotism towards India, especially to those who never participated in the freedom movement of this country. Never allow them to ask you about your citizenship” Harsh said.
Speaking further, Harsh said only Muslims are Indians by choice and people of all the other religions are Indians by chance. He added that after partition, Muslims had the option to go to Pakistan which was created on the basis of their interest and based on the priniciples of their religion.
"Pakistan was created for Muslims and complying by the principles of their religion. So the Muslims had the opportunity to go to Pakistan, but they proved their patriotism and love for the country by not choosing Pakistan over India. People of other religion, especially the Hindus, had nowhere to go they had to stay back in India. So only Muslims in this country are Indians by choice, apart from them we are all Indians by chance" he said.
During his address, Harsh also said the country has rejected the CAA and NRC and that the Narendra Modi and Amit Shah duo have only united the people of this country by bringing in such laws. He wasl also of the opinion that the government had not expected such backlash from the people of the country against CAA and NRC.
He also called upon Hindus of the country to support the movement to save the country’s constitution and not submit the document during NRC and NPR.
“When they ask you to submit documents during NRC and NPR don’t provide any documents and information. And when they come to grant you citizenship under CAA because you are a Hindu or Christian, tell them you are a Muslim and seek the same punishment as what is being given to your Muslim brothers. This is how Gandhiji taught us to protest and this is how we should do it. With non-violence” he added.
"I will not submit any documents and I will register myself as Muslim when the NPR representatives come to my home asking my documents. This is how I will protest, this is the way Mahatma Gandhi protested against British" he said.
Over a lakh people had gathered at the Adyar-Kannur in Mangaluru on Wednesday afternoon to register their protest against the CAA and NRC.
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Rickelton's ton in vain as SRH beat MI by 6 wickets
Mumbai (PTI): Ryan Rickelton's whirlwind unbeaten ton was overshadowed by Heinrich Klaasen's unbeaten 65 as Sunrisers Hyderabad defeated Mumbai Indians by six wickets in an IPL match here on Wednesday.
Chasing an imposing 244-run target, Travis Head (76 off 30) and Abhishek Sharma (45 off 24) shared 129 runs for the opening wicket to set the platform for SRH.
Klaasen (65 not out off 30 balls) then displayed his all-round hitting abilities to guide SRH home with the help of Nitish Kumar Reddy (21) and Salil Arora (30 not out off 10) in 18.4 overs.
Earlier, Rickelton's knock powered MI to 243 for five.
MI rode on a 93-run stand between Rickelton (123 not out off 55 balls) and Will Jacks (46 off 22) in 7.1 overs for the opening stand to power the side.
MI skipper Hardik Pandya scored a valuable 31 off 15 balls before being dismissed.
Praful Hinge (2/54), Eshan Malinga (1/29), Sakib Hasan (1/39) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (1/31) were the wicket-takers for SRH.
Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indian: 243 for 5 in 20 overs (Ryan Rickelton 123 not out; Praful Hinge 2/54).
Sunrisers Hyderabad: 249 for 4 in 18.4 overs (Travis Head 76, Heinrich Klaasen 65 not out; AM Ghazanfar 2/51).
