Pics by: Justin Dsilva

Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (JD)

Udupi, Mar 12: Opposing the National Population Register (NPR) which will be rolled out nationwide from April 15, 'We the people of India' organisation held a day-long hunger strike near deputy commissioner’s office in Manipal on Thursday, March 12.

Addressing the protesters, writer and thinker G Rajashekar said that March 12 is an important day in Indian history. “Dandi March was started on this day led by Mahatma Gandhi. It was completely a non-violent movement. Dandi March made Gandhi a leader of the Indian freedom struggle,” he said. He also read aloud the poem "Sab Kuch Yaad Rakha Jayega" written by Aamir Azmi.

Fr William Martis lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “If there was an Olympic event for the greatest lies ever told, Modi and Amit Shah would win. Christians name has appeared in the NRC list. They want to drive Christians and Muslims away. In the presence of tahsildar, a Cross was demolished. This is a warning to Christians. Modi's education level is zero. Patience has a limit. More than 60% of people are participating in these protests. We have to oppose NPR. There are tribal and poor people living without any record. From where will these people get records? Let Modi and Amit Shah tell what records are needed for NPR. We should never submit any details for the NPR" he said.

Yaseen Malpe, president Muslim Okkuta said, “Some months before, there was a situation as no opposition was existent for the government. But after the introduction of CAA, NRC and NPR laws, people are now standing as opposition to government. RSS through its violent ways are completing their agendas. But we are protesting peacefully and not a single violence has occurred in this period. British were thrown out of country through the non-violent protest of Gandhiji. Non-violence, unity were the main principles of freedom struggle. Shaheen Bgh was first started only in Delhi. Today, all over the country, in more than 292 places Shaheen Bagh like protests are being held. When some people took to streets to support the citizenship bills, bloodshed happened on a large scale. NPR should be revoked. We should decide that we
will not provide any documents for NPR. NPR snatches citizenship of poor, adivasi people," he said.

Large number of people took part in the hunger strike. Hunger strike ended at 6 pm. Amruth Shenoy, Veronica Cornelio, Ramesh Kanchan, Prof Phaniraj, Yogish Shetty, Samvartha Shail and others participated in the hunger strike.