Amid Corona Fears, Thousands Protest Against CAA in Chennai

Amid coronavirus fears, at least 3,000 people took to the streets in Chennai to protest CAA and NRC.

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, at least 3000 people took to the streets in Chennai to protest against CAA and NRC.

(Photo: The Quint)

As experts recommend social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19, in Chennai, on 18 March, at least 3,000 people took to the streets protesting the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

The hundreds of members of a local Islamic outfit, Thowheeth Jamaath, called for a massive ‘Jail Bharo’ protest in 36 places across Tamil Nadu.

They demanded that the Centre revoke the controversial legislations and vowed to continue their fight until the Tamil Nadu Assembly passes a resolution to put on hold CAA and NRC.

The hundreds of members of a local Islamic outfit, Thowheeth Jamaath, called for a massive ‘Jail Bharo’ protest in 36 places across Tamil Nadu.(Photo: The Quint)

They demanded that the Centre revoke the controversial legislations.(Photo: The Quint)

Amid the coronavirus outbreak, at least 3,000 people took to the streets in Chennai to protest CAA and NRC.(Photo: The Quint)

The state has recorded only one positive case so far who has now been treated and discharged. Tamil Nadu had confirmed its first case of COVID-19 on 7 March when a 45-year-old man who recently visited Oman tested positive. On Tuesday, a woman was tested positive in Mahe, Puducherry.

As part of the precautionary measures, the state government issued an order on Monday, instructing all educational establishments, malls, theatres and supermarkets to be shut till 31 March. The notice also stated that no permission will be granted for rallies, public meetings, summer camps, conferences, exhibitions, cultural or sporting events.

However, sources close to the organisers said that they had planned this protest even before the outbreak and the government advisory dictates that pre-planned events can carry on as usual. And so they were well within their rights to go ahead with the protest.

Some protesters raised slogans that ‘even coronavirus has killed only three but CAA have killed more than 80 so far in India.’

Some others stated that they would rather ‘die of corona than live as a refugee in this land.’

Police personnel were seen wearing face masks.

Many took to social media to call the group irresponsible.

Meanwhile, the massive gathering at Chennai’s very own Shaheen Bagh in Old Washermanpet decided to call off their protest in the wee hours of 18 March, that is on the 34th day.

“For the welfare of the people, we have decided to temporarily call off the protest against CAA and NRC. Once the situation gets better, we would continue our protests with renewed vigour till the TN Assembly passes a resolution against CAA-NPR-NRC,” a statement read.

Currently, 2,635 passengers are under home quarantine in Tamil Nadu for 28 days and 24 are under hospital isolation. So far, 147 samples have been tested of which 95 turned out to be negative and 51 are under process.