Opposition parties took out a massive rally in Mumbai on 26th January, the Republic Day, on the call given by NCP leader Sharad Pawar. The rally, “Save the Constitution” was organised from the Dr B R Ambedkar statute near Mumbai University to the Gateway of India, covering 2.5 kms. People from all walks of life participated in the march and a public meeting was organised after the conclusion of the rally. The meeting was chaired by Raju Shetti, MP from the Swabhimani Swatantra Paksha.
Speaking to Newsclick, Sitaram Yechury, General Secretary of CPI (M), who participated in the rally said, “the three principles - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity which form the basis of the Indian Constitution are under threat.”
He further added that “individual rights are being attacked in the name of gau rakshas and in the name of moral policing. Even Equality is being attacked under this regime.”
“Economic inequality has increased at a rapid pace. In these three years, 73% percent of India's wealth has been appropriated by 1 percent of the population of the country. The attacks on the Dalits and Muslims have increased and the harmony between different communities is being vitiated” and “in this political environment, the basic spirit of the constitution has to be protected and defended. It is time for every political force that believes in the secular democracy of our country to come together,” said Sitaram.
The response of the people at the silent protest march, in which thousands attended, was very heart-warming, the leader felt.
Apart from political activists, artists, writers and intellectuals, freedom fighters also marched in the defence of the constitution.
Political leaders like MLA Alpesh Thakor and Hardik Patel from Gujarat, Omar Abdhulla from National Conference, D Raja of CPI, Sharad Yadav, the rebel JD(U) leader, Dinesh Trivedi of TMC, and Congresses leader Prithviraj Chavan, Ashok Chavan and Sushilkumar Shinde participated in the rally.