Pastors, priests, nuns and hundreds of people cutting across communities walked from St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC), in response to a call by two arms of the archdiocese of Calcutta.

Most of those present felt that the “diversity” of the nation was under threat and it was important to stand up for it and raise their voices.

Standing side by side, singing peace songs were a burqa-clad young entrepreneur from Howrah and a Loreto nun.

The march started at 3.45pm and silently wound its way through Chowringhee Road and up to the Gandhi statue on Mayo Road. At the foot of the statue, the rally broke into a chorus of Make Me a Channel of Your Peace and We Shall Overcome.

Bystanders took pictures and thanked those who walked for taking up the cause. Many shared their own misgivings about the new legislation.

Loreto College principal Sister Christine Coutinho said colleges were expected to have a diverse mix of students but wondered “what remains of that diversity” if some people are asked to leave. “I have seen a valuable exchange of people from different cultures and my students have learnt so much from this exchange,” she said.

Rushdah Humaira, 27, her face almost covered, walked because the Act was “against the Constitution”. “Our forefathers chose India over Pakistan but now after so many years do we have to prove our citizenship? So, will Muslims be treated as immigrants in their own country?” she asked. “There are so many who earn their bread and butter as daily wage labourers. Will they have papers to prove their identity?”

The walk was organised by the Laity Commission and the Social Communication Commission of the archdiocese of Calcutta. “We had asked other churches to join and they did. There were announcements in the churches after service on Sunday,” said Alexander Anthony, the secretary of the Laity Commission.

Representatives of the Assembly of God Church, Church of North India and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Calcutta were among those who walked.

We should practise what we preach

A Calcuttan who skipped work because she thought protesting the Citizenship (Amended) Act and National Register of Citizens was more important. A priest who thought it was time to walk the talk. Metro spoke to some of those who walked from St Paul’s Cathedral on Thursday to protest CAA and NRC

Pictures by Pradip Sanyal

We are standing with those affected in solidarity. We are all Indian citizens. Only the poor will be harassed and not the rich. Many will not be able to produce documentation and they will suffer. This is an issue concerning all Indian citizens, our democracy, and our Constitution. We are all one. We are all citizens. Nobody should divide us. Unity in diversity is the soul of India

Father Dominic Gomes Vicar general and chancellor, archdiocese of Calcutta

“We the Loreto sisters stand for equality, justice, freedom, which are the values of our founder Mary Ward. When we see these values being undermined and there is nobody who can look into it, we come out on the streets,” said Sister Sabrina Edwards, provincial of Loreto Sisters, South Asia.

A few hundred metres away, on the lawn of the archbishop’s house, over 450 priests and sisters met for a Christmas get-together.

A priest who attended the gathering quoted the archbishop as saying: “We celebrate Christmas by singing carols like Silent Night, Holy Night/ All is Calm, All is Bright but in reality the situation is far from calm…. We must pray for peace and the Constitution must be upheld. The Constitution is our guiding light.”

“I believe everybody in the country has a right to express themselves…. If they want to stand up for something as citizens, they should be free to do so,” Archbishop Thomas D’Souza told Metro later. “It (Thursday’s walk) was not a political rally but one of citizens and the Laity wanted to have this and are free to do that.”

“I want to leave a secular India for my children and my grandchildren,” said Hilda Peacock, former principal of La Martiniere for Girls.

Michael Shane Calvert, the Anglo-Indian MLA, said the walk was “to stand alongside all those who feel threatened by what is dividing us”.

Sister Christine Coutinho

Principal, Loreto College

The National Assessment and Accreditation Council wants higher education institutes to take students from different states. They want diversity. If people are asked to leave, then what remains of this diversity?

Reverend Phillip Gupta (left)

Priest at St Thomas’ Church

I just don’t want to preach but also practise what I preach. I could not possibly tell my grandchildren that I was back home celebrating Christmas in December 2019 when the whole country was burning.

Reverend Gupta’s son Nathaneal Gupta (right)

Employee of Tata Medical Center in New Town

We need to speak the language of love and peace because there is too much violence around.

Ashok Pradhan (left)

Chartered accountant. He was carrying a poster that read “Bharat apnar, apni Bharatiya nagarik (India is yours, you are an Indian citizen)”.

These (CAA and NRC) are attempts to divert attention from real issues like unemployment. These are of no interest to common people.

Sunil M. Caleb (right)

Principal of Bishop’s College

The amended law discriminates against women also. The law says property documents are proof of citizenship. But women are often not entitled to properties because they get married into another family.

Denise Smith

Professional

I have taken time off from work to attend the rally. Staying here is very important. We want to live together, in peace and harmony.

Ruchira Das

Entrepreneur

I was born a Hindu... and I think this (CAA) is discriminatory. This is the reason I came here to lend my voice as I believe that there is power in the strength of people and I wanted to be a part of it.

Athar Faraz

Schoolteacher

I am here to protest the attempt to destroy the secular fabric of India.

Hilda Peacock

Director of Gems Akademia International and former principal of La Martiniere for Girls

I am so angry. Despite this being Christmas, I am here as it is part of my Christian duty. It’s part of who I am and I am an Indian.

Sujata Sen

Chief executive officer of the Future Hope Foundation and former director (east India) of British Council

There is a feeling of outrage in my heart and I don’t understand why something like this would happen in my country. India has always been a tolerant country and it is breaking down.

Shagufta Salim

Teacher at Salt Lake School

They will not only target Muslims but others will follow.... I believe that my neighbours too will stand by me and that is how it should be.

Sister Sabrina Edwards (right)

Provincial of Loreto Sisters, South Asia

Jesus Christ was born in a stable. There was no place anywhere else. Spirituality tells us to accept the homeless.

Rushdah Humaira (left)

Entrepreneur

Having to prove that we are Indians is humiliating for my family members, especially elders, because our forefathers had chosen this country for its secular fabric.