India Citizenship Amendment Act protests: Social media reaction

On December 12th 2019 the BJP led Indian government implemented the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The act offered Indian citizenship for Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Jain, Parsi, and Christian religious minorities fleeing persecution from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. However, the act was deemed controversial because Muslims were not given such eligibility.

Many Sikhs have spoken out about the act due to it’s perceived discrimination, calling it out as an example of another divisive act by the Indian state against a minority group. Here we share examples of  general Sikh community reaction to the act.

Sikhs across Panjab protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill which was passed by the Hindutva Indian Regime pic.twitter.com/EoIMEbaj19

— Dal Khalsa UK ???????????????????????????????????? (@DalKhalsaUK) December 19, 2019

Many Sikhs echoed the sentiment that the ‘anti-Muslim’ agenda of the Indian government could soon turn towards the Sikh community, as it did in 1984.

If you seriously cannot see how the anti-Muslim agenda can quite easily become an anti-Sikh agenda then I cannot help you. Even if it didn't, don't call yourself a Sikh if you're not outraged by the targeted discrimination of any minority.

— Harpreet Singh (@hsbutoy) December 17, 2019

Some questioned how other minority groups will react to the news, whilst also questioning the integrity of opposition to the bill from Congress (the main political rivals to the in power BJP group).

CM @capt_amarinder will not implement #CABBill2019; all things aside, that's a first, and bold. Will Sikh & Panjab orgs show solidarity with Muslims, or will they be silent like orgs of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists, Christians & Parsis? Minority-minority nexus? Kudos to individuals! https://t.co/wGXUiTNISI

— Harinder Singh | ਹਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@1Force) December 12, 2019

"But in the end, it will be left to the people of India to defend the Constitution and the secular republic, because the battle is not just legal and constitutional, but political and moral." Indeed! Don't expect opposition to do much about it either given their track record. https://t.co/rqS9uROnTf

— Harinder Singh | ਹਰਿੰਦਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@1Force) December 12, 2019

The questioning of Congress opposition became more intense from Sikhs when it soon involved notorious facilitator of the Sikh genocide, political figure Jagdish Tytler.

This is how hypocritical india is, a fascist murder, an organiser and participant in state terrorism against Sikhs, shielded by the state his whole life, quietly released from prison, is now a face of “symbolic protest” https://t.co/6Oyvai6UjH

— ਸ਼ਮਸ਼ੇਰ ਸਿੰਘ (@anandpur_exile) December 16, 2019

Wow !! A guy who led the mobs during the #1984SikhGenocide is pretending to be so pious !! This is Jagdeesh Tytler, a man with the blood of 1000s Sikhs on his hands. !! I hope students turn their backs to him ! https://t.co/fgfOJ3r14T

— ravinder singh (@RaviSinghKA) December 17, 2019

The reaction of the police, presumably under orders, in attacking the public protesting, was highlighted by many Sikhs as an example of the state facilitated violence which occurred in 1984 during the Sikh genocide.

As a Sikh, people have always told us that 1984 is in the past and that we should get over it. Violence committed by the Indian government against minorities hasn't ever stopped though. The CAA and NRC is just the most recent evolution of it.https://t.co/HwsqiOgXKG

— Noyz (@noyzhiphop) December 24, 2019

Those who think India is democratic

India has killed more protesters this week than China did in 6 months of protests in HongKong. Internet down in capital city, all media outlets censored, right of assembly taken away https://t.co/JyLfcjMhDh

— Ⓡⓐⓜⓐⓝ Ⓢⓘⓝⓖⓗ (@boparaiied) December 21, 2019

Check out these officers, one of them can be seen clearly throwing stone at someone's residence. These men in uniform are suppose to protect us but unfortunately they aren't. Now i can clearly relate how they along with mobs commit crimes during 1984 Sikh riots#CAA_NRCProtests pic.twitter.com/O2avf15eIF

— Preet Kaur (@Preeti_Kaur_61) December 25, 2019

One thing celebrated by many Sikhs was seeing the continuation of seva (selfless service) and support for those affected through the mass protests.

Our @khalsaaid_india team serving hot tea & snacks to the protesters in #Delhi ! #CABProtests #KhalsaAid. pic.twitter.com/TNG2luKEBZ

— Khalsa Aid (@Khalsa_Aid) December 16, 2019

Nihang Sikhs protesting with the students at Jamia against the draconian CAA.

"This is not a dispute of religion – this is a fight between right and wrong." pic.twitter.com/K8AUrnd1DS

— Rishwajeet Singh (@leftclicktv) December 16, 2019

BREAKING NEWS : Jamia Millia Islamia University & Students In Delhi attacked by Hindutva Indian State Forces. Many injured violence spreads across India. Sikhs condemn this violence and anyone in need is welcome to Gurdwaras where food shelter protection will be given pic.twitter.com/luIjQLbnqP

— Dal Khalsa UK ???????????????????????????????????? (@DalKhalsaUK) December 16, 2019

Dear Sikhs of India, just a reminder from Our Guru Sahib about humanity, please do not hate ANY faith, we are Sikhs:
RECOGNISE THE WHOLE HUMAN RAVE AS ONE #OneLove #CABProtests #Peace #HumanityFirst #india #CAB pic.twitter.com/McwghkQXTr

— Amarpreet Singh (@amarpreet_ka) December 18, 2019

Questions arose from some Sikhs about a perceived lack of coverage on the issue.

Appeal to International media and friends out of India to please amplify voices from India. The state of UP has killed more than 15 Muslims, rounding up innocent Muslim men, lawyers and human rights activists, brutalising Muslims of the state. @nytimes @BBCWorld

PLEASE AMPLIFY.

— nooran????. (@purpleremnants) December 21, 2019

It is shocking that #cdnmedia is MIA on what is happening in India. Unsurprisingly, the Pro-India Canadian media surrogates are obsessively focused on China and Iran right now. https://t.co/XW1KWU4UbB

— Jindi Singh KA (@jindisinghka) December 18, 2019

Despite the general opposition to the bill, a vital point recognised was the fact that the CAA bill would also benefit many Sikhs persecuted in the Muslim majority countries of Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, a common and often said under discussed issue. This reason is also why some Sikhs support the bill.

I believe and #IndiaSupportsCAA always ???????????????????? pic.twitter.com/7P1riCMZGX

— Reema Kaur Ahluwalia (@Reema_bjp) December 30, 2019

#IndiaSupportsCAA
I support CAA
because every sikh, hindu, Christians who are harassed in three muslim countries deserve it

— Kulbir Singh (@KulbirS13946907) December 30, 2019

It can be easy for us on the outside to stake a place on the moral high ground and condemn the bill unequivocally. I have done so because this bill explicitly discriminates against a Muslim community that is already marginalized in modern India.

— Simran Jeet Singh (@SikhProf) December 28, 2019

In general, most Sikh reaction to the CAA bill has been to condemn and highlight the continuing dangerous moves of Hindutva nationalism in the country.

During my MRes Int. Development, I did a lot of research on India – media bias, violence against women, sanitation, exploitation, killing rituals, environmental degradation, caste system, poverty, inequality..

But apparently ethnic minorities are their biggest problem!? Pathetic https://t.co/suW4jdoBo2

— Sonn (@SonnnBee) December 16, 2019

The seeds of a truly democratic movement are taking hold in India.

Muslims, Dalits, Sikhs, Christians, progressives Hindus & others are marching to reject Hindutva fascism.

India belongs to all its people, and those who want self determination, including Kashmir, must get it.

— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) December 28, 2019