Ruling Party Has Actually United The People: Pooja Bhatt On CAA-NRC

Speaking at a conference in Colaba, South Mumbai, Actor Pooja Bhatt said that dissent is the greatest form of patriotism. She also opined that students demonstrating against the CAA-NRC is indicative of the fact that ‘the ruling party has actually united us’.

She, along with the other speakers at the event, including student activist Umar Khalid, submitted a memorandum to government representatives, seeking to know the stand of state authorities on the CAA-NRC-NPR. The time period given the authorities to respond is 30 days.

Key Takeaways:

• Pooja Bhatt, has said that dissent is the greatest form of patriotism and the ruling party has united everyone. 
• She also said she is against CAA-NRC because it divides her house.
• She, along with other speakers, submitted a memorandum to government representatives asking to make their stand clear on the issue within 30 days.
  

"We will not stop until we are heard loud and clear. Dissent is the greatest form of patriotism." - Pooja Bhatt

According to the organisers, the purpose behind the event was to discuss the need to preserve and safeguard the values of the Constitution. Moreover, it aimed at educating the masses about them.

Also Read: We know what we're protesting against: Young women of Shaheen Bagh

Bhatt said, "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 also implored the 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,” she added.

Other celebrities on CAA-NRC

Bhatt is not the only celebrity to have voiced her opinion on the issue of the student protests. For instance, Priyanka Chopra took to Twitter some days ago and wrote, "Education for every child is our dream. Education is what empowered them to think independently. We have raised them to have a voice. In a thriving democracy, to raise one's voice peacefully and be met with violence is wrong. Every voice counts. And each voice will work towards changing India. #HaveVoiceWillRaise #HaveVoiceMustRaise (sic)."

"I don’t support CAA and NRC as it divides my house." - Pooja Bhatt

"That was last week and now add oppressing the voices of our students by using violence and we have crawled even further into the dark tunnel. I stand by a secular, democratic India where peaceful dissent is our constitutional right," Twinkle Khanna had tweeted out.

Also Read: Two Women Who Displayed Anti CAA Banner Evicted From House

Chhapaak actress Deepika Padukone visited JNU to express her solidarity with the student protestors at the university barely a day before the release of her film, earning praise and criticism in equal measures. She told NDTV, "I feel proud to see that we aren't scared to express ourselves... I think the fact that we are thinking about the country and its future... Whatever may be our point of view, it's nice to see."

She also added that she is proud to know that people were coming out and raising their voice and expressing themselves because this is important for witnessing change in society.