Mumbaikars on Sunday united against the genocide that took place on December 12 by the Nigerian Army in Zaria. Citizens formed a human chain at Marine Drive in protest against the genocide where civilians who had gathered for a peaceful rally were mowed down by the Army for blocking the way of the chief of army.
The indiscriminate firing left more than 1,000 civilians dead and many injured including the leader of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria. The human chain at Marine Drive saw nearly 1,700 Mumbaikars irrespective of their religion, caste, colour or race unite in solidarity to the hapless Nigerian citizens and draw the attention of the world towards the excesses committed by the Nigerian authorities.
“It has been nearly two weeks since the massacre of innocent people took place in Zaria and other places, however the world is silent and refuses to criticise the Nigerian government. Hence, we decided to form a human chain that transcends all differences and stands against violence,” said Asad Mirza, one of the organisers. Ahlul Bayt Charitable Trust, a city NGO that works on uplifting the weak and alleviating the problems of the downtrodden, organised the human chain and said that they were glad at the turnout of Mumbaikars.
Afzal Dawoodani, state vice president of the BJP’s Maal Vahtuk Sena who also participated in the human chain said, “The world has supported victims of terror attacks in western and European countries but has remained silent on the Nigerian incident. Such a discriminative attitude of the world is shocking and hence as Indians who are also victims of discrimination in some of these advanced countries we participated in the human chain to show that we are humans first and do not believe in differentiating among people on the basis of the colour of their skin,” said Mr Dawoodani.
The chain lasted for nearly an hour and started from Air India building to the Inter Continental Hotel at Marine Drive. It saw people from different Muslim communities join in to show their support by displaying banners, condemning the act and demanding justice.
