Hyderabad: Chatta Bazar traders hold anti-CAA protests daily

Charminar: From the beginning of this month, the Old City is witnessing a new form of protest with the active cooperation of the traders, particularly those involved in printing business. Each day after dusk, a long human-chain starting from Nayapul to City Civil Court in Purani Haveli is formed along the lane, famously known as Chatta Bazar, holding placards in the peaceful protest which began from February 1.

To emphasise that the CAA was 'dark law', the protestors stand in dark by switching-off the lights in the bustling market close to Charminar, each day for 15-minutes, starting from 7.15 pm to 7.30 pm.

According to organisers, since the call for nationwide protest, the Chatta Bazar market has been conducting this demonstration by switching off lights. Most of the traders come out of shops forming a human chain on both sides of the road. "Around 500 shops in Chatta Bazar are organising it daily after it gets dark", said Mohammed Affan Quadri, one of the organisers.

Speaking to The Hans India, Affan said that the Chatta Bazar market also announced solidarity with women of Shaheen Bagh. More than 1,000 members including fellow citizens from other community were also participating in the daily protest. During the protest none of the commuters were facing any problem and there was no traffic congestion. "The protest was for a short time for 15-20 minutes, as it's our constitutional right to protest", he added.

Apart from Chatta Bazar, the people are organising flash protests in other areas like Charminar, Kalapatthar, Panjesha, Bogalkunta, Nampally etc. in these areas a group of 25-30 youngsters are standing silently holding placards on roads. "We have also decided to perform flash protest in Exhibition Grounds in Nampally shortly, before this year's exhibition comes to a close", said Affan.

"During the Telangana movement Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao and those who spearheaded orgnaised massive protests and also a Million March, but now he is not permitting us to perform any protest," pointed out Affan.

He also recalled the recent promise made by KCR that he would also pass a resolution in Assembly against the CAA like Kerala, West Bengal and Punjab. "We request him not only to fulfil his promise, but also lead the protests like Mamata Banerjee and also instruct police officials not to obstruct any peaceful protest and provide permission," he added.