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{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox event
| title = Manushya Maha Sringhala
| image = Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 - 1.jpg
| caption = People at Manushya Maha Sringhala from Angamaly, Kerala, India
| date = 26 January 2020
| place = [[Kerala]], India
| motive = * To take an oath to protect the [[Constitution of India]]
* To protest against [[Citizenship Amendment Act]] and the [[National Register of Citizens]]
| organisers = [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]]
| type = [[Human chain (politics)|Human chain]]
| participants = 6-7 million people from Kerala
}}
'''Manushya Maha Sringhala''' (Mega Human Network) was a [[Human chain (politics)|human chain]] formed on 26 January 2020 across the Indian state of Kerala to protest against the [[Citizenship Amendment Act]] and the proposed [[National Register of Citizens]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/951132/republic-day-kerala-government-to-organise-620-km-long-human-chain-to-demand-repeal-of-caa|title=Republic Day: Kerala government to organise 620-km long human chain to demand repeal of CAA|website=[[Scroll.in]]|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/caa-kerala-chief-minister-pinarayi-vijayan-newly-weds-participate-at-620-km-human-chain-2170013|title=Kerala Chief Minister, Newly Weds In 620-Km Human Chain Against Citizenship Law|date=2020-01-26|work=[[NDTV]]|access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref> The chain was formed by approximately 6 to 7 million people and extended for a distance of 700 kilometres (435 miles) stretching north to south from [[Kasaragod]] to [[Kaliyakkavilai|Kaliyikkavila]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/620-km-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-demanding-withdrawal-of-caa-2474075.html|title=620 Km Human Chain Formed in Kerala Demanding Withdrawal of CAA|date=2020-01-26|work=[[News 18]]|access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.news18.com/news/india/tricolour-in-mosques-700-km-long-human-chain-kerala-to-witness-huge-anti-caa-protest-on-republic-day-2473017.html|title=Tricolour in Mosques & 700-km Long Human Chain: Kerala to Witness Huge Anti-CAA Protest on Republic Day|date=25 January 2020|website=News18}}</ref>

The [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] led by the [[Communist Party of India (Marxist)|Communist Party of India]] had organized the human chain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/620-km-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-demanding-withdrawal-of-caa/articleshow/73635612.cms|title=620 km human chain formed in Kerala demanding withdrawal of CAA {{!}} Thiruvananthapuram News - Times of India|last1=Jan 26|first1=PTI {{!}} Updated|last2=2020|website=[[The Times of India]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-26|last3=Ist|first3=16:54}}</ref> The chain was completed at 16:00 [[Indian Standard Time]] (+5:30 GMT) when the participants read out the preamble of the [[Constitution of India]] and swore an oath to protect it.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2020/01/26/kerala-ldf-to-form-620-km-human-chain-against-caa.html|title=Kerala's LDF forms massive human chain against CAA on R-day|date=26 January 2020|website=On Manorama|language=en}}</ref> The chain was formed on the [[Republic Day of India]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/india-soul-protests-mark-republic-day-celebrations-200126140155387.html|title='Fight for India's soul': Protests mark Republic Day celebrations|date=2020-01-27|work=[[Al Jazeera]]|access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jan/26/620-kilometre-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-on-republic-day-demanding-withdrawal-of-caa-2094815.html|title=620-kilometre human chain formed in Kerala on Republic Day demanding withdrawal of CAA|website=[[The New Indian Express]]|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref>

==Background==
{{Main|Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA) was passed by the [[Parliament of India]] on 11 December. India does not have a law to define refugee status and all undocumented individuals in India are considered illegal migrants. The act grants Indian citizenship to [[Hindus]], [[Sikhs]], [[Buddhism|Buddhists]], [[Jainism|Jains]], [[Parsis]] and [[Christians]] who claim to be from [[Pakistan]], [[Bangladesh]] or [[Afghanistan]] and reduces the period of [[naturalization]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-50739593|title=Citizenship Amendment Bill: 'Anti-Muslim' law challenged in India court|date=2019-12-12|work=[[BBC]]|access-date=2020-01-27}}</ref> The [[Ministry of Home Affairs]] has also introduced the proposal for implementing a [[National Register of Citizens]] (NRC) for all citizens of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/national-register-of-citizens-all-you-need-to-know/articleshow/72853566.cms|title=What is NRC Bill? {{!}} All you need to know about National Register of Citizens of India|date=20 December 2019|website=The Times of India}}</ref> The NRC was first implemented in [[Assam]], which excluded 1.9 million individuals who were declared illegal immigrants and sent to [[detention camp]]s. The individuals in question were predominantly Hindu or Muslim.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-49520593|title=India puts 1.9m people at risk of statelessness|date=31 August 2019|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> The NRC was criticized for being deeply flawed and acting on the basis of guilt until proven innocent thereby providing the possibility of genuine citizens being rendered [[Statelessness|stateless]] by the process.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/blogs/cursor/the-profound-un-indianness-of-nrc/|title=The profound un-Indianness of NRC|last1=Arun|first1=T K|date=3 September 2019|website=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thedailystar.net/india/news/final-assam-nrc-flawed-document-1793473|title=Final Assam NRC a flawed document|date=31 August 2019|website=[[The Daily Star (Bangladesh)|The Daily Star]]}}</ref>

The passage of the CAA led to widespread protests across India, leading to at least 25 dead with the ruling [[Hindu nationalism|Hindu nationalist]] [[Bharatiya Janata Party]] being accused of [[religious discrimination]] in providing citizenship, violent suppression of [[dissent]] and attempting to [[Disfranchisement|disenfranchise]] and [[Religious segregation|segregate]] millions of Muslims with the continued insistence on implementing a nationwide NRC.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/17/world/asia/india-protests-citizenship-muslims.html|title=Why People Are Protesting in India|last1=Victor|first1=Daniel|date=2019-12-17|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=2020-01-29|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200127-385-mile-human-chain-indians-line-up-to-protest-citizenship-law|title=385-mile human chain: Indians line up to protest citizenship law|date=2020-01-27|website=[[France 24]]|language=en}}</ref> The Act has received criticism from across the world with the UN calling it "fundamentally discriminatory" and a resolution was moved in the EU Parliament against it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/resolution-moved-in-europe-against-caa/cid/1739669|title=Resolution moved in Europe against CAA|website=[[Telegraph India]]|language=en|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/12/1053511|title=New citizenship law in India 'fundamentally discriminatory': UN human rights office|date=2019-12-13|website=UN News}}</ref> Four Indian states passed a resolution against it.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/anti-caa-resolution-west-bengal-mamata-banerjee-1640574-2020-01-27|title=Mamata Banerjee's Bengal becomes 4th state to pass anti-CAA resolution|last1=Loiwal|first1=Manogya|date=27 January 2020|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Several Indian states also declared that they will not implement either the CAA or the NRC or both of them.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/india/states-which-are-opposing-and-mobilising-against-the-caa-nrc/cid/1735460|title=States which are opposing and mobilising against the CAA-NRC|last1=Furquan|first1=Ameen|date=13 January 2020|website=Telegraph India}}</ref>

In Kerala, the ruling [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] coalition and the opposition [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] coalition granted joint support to the protests across India.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/caa-nrc-over-my-dead-body-mamata-banerjee-ldf-and-udf-on-one-platform/articleshow/72781193.cms|title=CAA, NRC over 'my Dead Body': Mamata Banerjee; LDF and UDF on one platform|date=16 December 2019|work=The Economic Times}}</ref> The [[Legislative Assembly of Kerala]] passed a resolution against the act.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/kerala-news/kerala-chief-minister-tables-resolution-against-citizenship-act-in-assembly-2156658|title=Kerala Assembly Passes Resolution Against Citizenship Act|date=31 December 2019|website=[[NDTV.com]]}}</ref> Following the resolution, the [[government of Kerala]] filed a lawsuit against the [[government of India]] for violating the provisions of [[fundamental rights]] and [[secularism]] granted by the [[Constitution of India]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/949822/as-kerala-challenges-caa-in-the-supreme-court-here-are-possible-ways-the-case-could-play-out|title=As Kerala challenges CAA in the Supreme Court, here are possible ways the case could play out|last1=Yamunan|first1=Sruthisagar|date=14 January 2020|website=Scroll.in}}</ref> The government also stopped work related to the National Population Register which has been reported to be utilized for the conduction of the NRC.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/latest/947479/after-west-bengal-kerala-also-stops-work-related-to-national-population-register|title=After West Bengal, Kerala also stops work related to National Population Register|date=20 December 2019|website=Scroll.in}}</ref> The state of Kerala has experienced widespread protests against CAA and NRC while [[Pinarayi Vijayan]], the [[Chief minister of Kerala|Chief Minister of Kerala]] has stated that the state will remain at the forefront to defend the Constitution of India.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/kerala-will-remain-in-forefront-to-defend-constitution-cm/articleshow/73253428.cms|title=Kerala will remain in forefront to defend Constitution: CM {{!}} India News - Times of India|date=14 January 2020|website=The Times of India}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/analysis-ldf-buoyed-by-response-to-anti-caa-protest-determined-to-sustain-its-tempo/article30669026.ece|title=Analysis {{!}} LDF buoyed by response to anti-CAA protest, determined to sustain its tempo|date=2020-01-28|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2020-01-29|others=Special Correspondent|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

== Protest ==
On 24 January 2020, the [[Left Democratic Front (Kerala)|Left Democratic Front]] (LDF) announced that it would organize a human chain from [[Kasaragod]] to [[Thiruvananthapuram]] passing through 10 out of 14 districts with adjoining chains from Pathanamthitta and [[Kottayam district|Kottayam]] districts on [[Republic Day (India)|Republic Day]]. The chain was proposed to follow roads on the right side.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/ldf-hold-mega-anti-caa-rally-republic-day-kerala-1640003-2020-01-25|title=LDF to form human chain to protest against CAA on Republic Day in Kerala|last1=Unnithan|first1=P. S. Gopikrishnan|date=25 January 2020|website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Police officers were employed to prevent traffic disruption on the roads.<ref name=":2" /> The LDF [[convener]], [[A. Vijayaraghavan]] stated that they welcomed participation from everyone regardless of political affiliation excluding [[Communalism (South Asia)|communal]] and extremist forces.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/cong-urged-to-cooperate-with-ldfs-human-chain/article30646908.ece|title=Cong. urged to cooperate with LDF's human chain|date=2020-01-24|work=The Hindu|issn=0971-751X}}</ref> The opposition [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] however provided no clear indication of support while the LDF was able to disseminate the message that the chain was not to be linked to any electoral interests other than the protection of the constitution and the secular fabric of the country.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/analysis-ldf-buoyed-by-response-to-anti-caa-protest-determined-to-sustain-its-tempo/article30669026.ece|title=Analysis {{!}} LDF buoyed by response to anti-CAA protest, determined to sustain its tempo|date=2020-01-28|work=The Hindu|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

On 26 January 2020, the 71st [[Republic Day of India]], the Left Democratic Front organized one of the largest event of protest with a continuous human chain pledging to defend the Constitution of India which stretched from the northernmost end of the administrative border of Kerala to the southernmost end.<ref name=":0" /> The chain when formed directly passed through 12 districts of Kerala, those being [[Kasaragod district|Kasaragod]], [[Kannur district|Kannur]], [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]], [[Malappuram district|Malappuram]], [[Palakkad district|Palakkad]], [[Thrissur district|Thrissur]], [[Ernakulam district|Ernakulam]], Kottayam, [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], Pathanamthitta, [[Kollam district|Kollam]] and [[Thiruvananthapuram district|Thiruvananthapuram]] districts, respectively in sequence. The chain extended till the border of [[Tamil Nadu]] at [[Kaliyakkavilai]]. The districts of [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] and [[Idukki district|idukki]] were not a part of the main chain but separate parallel chains were formed in them.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/lakhs-line-up-between-kasargode-and-kaliyikkavila-for-ldf-human-chain-against-caa-nrc/article30657578.ece|title=Lakhs line up between Kasargode and Kaliyikkavila for LDF human chain against CAA, NRC|date=26 January 2020|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>

The human chain was organised with the help of transportation provided by the Left Democratic Front to connect the less populated parts along [[National highways in India|national highways]]. At 15:30 [[Indian Standard Time]] (3:30 PM), leaflets of the pledge were distributed and a [[rehearsal]] was held with directions issued through [[microphone]]s. At 16:00 Indian Standard Time (4:00 PM), the chain was formally formed when the participants read out the preamble to the Constitution of India and then took the pledge. The chain was dispersed at 16:15 Indian Standard Time (4:15 PM) and [[Town hall meeting|public meeting]] were held at 250 locations in the state.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/kerala/kerala-620-km-long-human-chain-organised-against-caa-nrc-on-republic-day-6236521/|title=Kerala: 620-km long human chain organised against CAA-NRC on Republic Day|date=2020-01-26|website=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestatesman.com/india/620-km-long-human-chain-comprising-70-lakh-people-formed-in-kerala-in-protest-against-caa-1502849806.html|title=620 km long human chain comprising 70 lakh people formed in Kerala in protest against CAA|date=2020-01-26|website=[[The Statesman (India)|The Statesman]]}}</ref> The Left Democratic Front claimed that 7.5 million people had participated in the chain.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/620-km-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-demanding-withdrawal-of-caa/articleshow/73640064.cms?from=mdr|title=620 km human chain formed in Kerala demanding withdrawal of CAA|date=2020-01-26|work=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref> A worker from the [[Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh]] attempted to commit suicide during the demonstration, who was later found out to be psychologically unstable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.mathrubhumi.com/news/kerala/suicide-attempt-during-human-chain-rss-activist-hospitalised-1.4477196|title=Suicide attempt during human chain; RSS activist hospitalised|date=26 January 2020|website=[[Mathrubhumi]]}}</ref>

Various prominent personalities participated in the human chain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpost.in/nation/620-km-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-to-demand-caa-withdrawal-397491|title=620 km human chain formed in Kerala to demand CAA withdrawal|date=2020-01-26|website=Millennium Post}}</ref> [[S. Ramachandran Pillai]], General-Secretary of the [[All India Kisan Sabha]] was the first link in the chain and [[M. A. Baby]], former Minister of Education (Kerala) was the last link.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jan/26/620-kilometre-human-chain-formed-in-kerala-on-republic-day-demanding-withdrawal-of-caa-2094815.html|title=620-kilometre human chain formed in Kerala on Republic Day demanding withdrawal of CAA|website=The New Indian Express|access-date=2020-01-26}}</ref> Chief Minister, [[Pinarayi Vijayan]] and [[Communist Party of India]] state secretary, [[Kanam Rajendran]] joined the chain in the capital of Kerala, [[Thiruvananthapuram]] at Martyr's square, [[Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram|Palayam]]. The [[whistleblower]] ex-num [[Lucy Kalappurakkal]] joined the chain in [[Wayanad district]].<ref name="pledge">{{Cite web|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/pics-lakhs-come-out-kerala-ldfs-human-chain-protest-against-caa-and-nrc-116870|title=In pics: Lakhs come out in Kerala, for LDF's human chain to protest against CAA and NRC|last1=Joseph|first1=Neethu|date=26 January 2020|website=[[The News Minute]]}}</ref> [[Mohammed Yousuf Tarigami]], a former member of legislative assembly of [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]] joined the chain at [[Malappuram]].<ref name=":1" />

== Reactions ==
[[Indian Union Muslim League]]: The IUML which is part of the opposition [[United Democratic Front (Kerala)|United Democratic Front]] (UDF) coalition while had given joint support with the ruling coalition to the protests suspended one of its local leaders for participating in the human chain, following friction in the UDF resulting from alignment with their political rivals.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsclick.in/IUML-suspends-member-participating-human-chain-kerala|title=IUML Suspends Member for Participating in Human Chain in Kerala|date=28 January 2020|website=NewsClick}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/kerala/2020/jan/29/iuml-suspends-local-leader-for-taking-part-in-human-chain-protest-2095868.html|title=IUML suspends local leader for taking part in human chain protest|date=29 January 2020|website=The New Indian Express}}</ref>

[[United Democratic Front (Kerala)]]: In response to the human chain, the opposition UDF coalition too formed human maps of India, in 12 out of 14 districts (excluding [[Wayanad district|Wayanad]] and [[Kozhikode district|Kozhikode]]) in Kerala.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/news/kerala/2020/01/30/kerala-udf-human-map-india-anti-caa-citizenship-act.html|title=After Left's human chain, Kerala's UDF forms human maps of India to protest against CAA|date=30 January 2020|website=OnManorama}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 5.jpg|Part of Manushya Maha Sringhala
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 7.jpg|People in the Human Chain
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 10.jpg|People standing on the road
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 11.jpg
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020.jpg|People at the city center
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 15.jpg|Meeting about the Human Chain
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 14.jpg|People at the Meeting
Manushya maha Srinkala againts CAA kerala 2020 12.jpg|Families in the Chain
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]
* [[Vanitha Mathil]]
* [[Hong Kong Way]]
* [[Human chain (politics)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* ''[https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/UserGuide/E-gazette_2019_20122019.pdf The Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019]''. [[The Gazette of India]]. (2019)
{{Citizenship Amendment Act protests}}

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[[Category:2020 in Indian politics]]
[[Category:January 2020 events in India]]
[[Category:History of Kerala]]
[[Category:Citizenship Amendment Act protests]]
[[Category:2020s in Kerala]]
[[Category:Human chains (politics)]]

2020 Kerala human chain - Revision history

MetaBOT at 20:18, 8 July 2023