Several parts of India have been witnessing violent protests ever since the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha. The situation further escalated after the bill was cleared in Rajya Sabha. The Bill, which has since become an Act, will provide Indian nationality to Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Jains and Buddhists fleeing persecution in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The issue has caused widespread unprecedented violent protests across the country, with the agitating demonstrators demanding the withdrawal of the CAA.

Now Pooja Bhatt, daughter of noted filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has asserted that dissent is the greatest form of patriotism, thereby claiming that people protesting against the CAA-NRC acts are giving the message that ‘the ruling party has actually united us’. "Our silence will not save us and neither will the government's. The ruling party has actually united us. Students (protesting against CAA-NRC) are giving us the message that it's time to raise our voices. We will not stop until we are heard loud and clear. Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism," she said at an event in Colaba, which was organised by the Parcham Foundation and We the People of Maharashtra, as reported by a news agency.

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Apparently, speakers at the event also submitted a memorandum to government representatives, seeking to know their stand on the CAA-NRC-NPR within 30 days.

Meanwhile, Pooja added, “I implore our leaders to listen to the voices that have risen in the country. The women in India, at Shaheen Bagh and Lucknow... We’ll not stop until we are heard loud and clear. I’d implore people to speak up more. I don’t support CAA and NRC as it divides my house," as quoted by another agency. 

Earlier, Mahesh had taken a pledge not to support the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

(Source: PTI/ANI)