Marching for a cause

Citizens from various walks of life gathered to protest against a bill that they feel goes against their right to make life choices.

Raksha Arun

Their anger, their demands, their clarion call for justice was palpable. The decibel of their chants and the sheer size of their numbers spoke for the cause.

A group of citizens, lawyers, social and political activists and religious leaders were gathered at Mysore Bank Circle for a protest march to rally against the Anti-Conversion Bill that was tabled in the winter session of Karnataka Assembly. The assembled protesters then marched on to Freedom Park. The assorted gathering of human rights organisations, youths, Dalits, and minorities were carrying placards that vividly conveyed their message with the messages they held aloft. “India is a secular country, respect it,” stated a placard. Another one screamed: “Live & let live”. The next one reasoned: “We have the right to profess, practice and propagate our faith” and one demanded:“Let’s uphold the Constitution.”

It has been observed that during Christmas the festive air is often nipped a bit by resentment from certain groups. “As an Indian Christian I am forced to come to the street to fight for my right since the Anti-Conversion Bill is not favourable for us. To table such a law, especially during the time of Christmas is not in good taste. The fight is not over until we get justice,” says Metilda D’ Souza, former member of the Minorities Commission, Karnataka.

India is a secular country where all religions cordially co-exist. And the Christian community that has been on the forefront of education and healthcare has contributed sufficiently to the development in these fields. “We all are Indians and as per the constitutional right , we have chosen and embraced Christianity. Christian institutes have started schools and hospitals for all sections of society without any ground of discrimination,” says Ezekiel Udai, Church pastor of Berachah Full Gospel Church.

Some parents are concerned about the society in which there children will grow in. Will it be tolerant or judgemental. “Having a teenager at home, it makes me really worried about what kind of effect it would have on the values she may uphold,” says Seroja, a freelance software trainer.

Many protesters knew that they were instinctively opposed to any Bill that would limit choices. But were not armed with the knowledge. “I am also here as a protester to get to know more about the proposed Bill passed,” continues Seroja.

Many at the march were apprehensive about the repercussions of this Bill on individual freedom. “This is an infringement on a person’s right to choose their own religion or their partner. It is unconstitutional,” says a protester.