We, The People: A citizens’ movement in Kerala to stand with the Constitution

Formed in the context of the SC verdict on women’s entry into Sabarimala, the movement will have its first gathering in Thiruvananthapuram on November 13.
We, The People: A citizens’ movement in Kerala to stand with the Constitution
We, The People: A citizens’ movement in Kerala to stand with the Constitution
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The voices speaking for the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala were scattered. So when crowds gathered to protest against the entry of young women, lone voices made quieter statements, for the verdict, for women, and for the Constitution.

Till they figured their voices were more in number, and stronger, if they came together. A movement was formed in days. They call it We, The People, same as the first words of the preamble to the Constitution of India.

“It is we, the people. The residual power of a democracy is not in a court (judiciary), executive or legislature. The power is with the people. But now people have become insignificant,” says Dr Ajit Kumar, who prefers to be called one of the citizens taking part in the movement.

For that is what it is, he says, the gathering of citizens who believe in the Constitution and believe that it should be followed. There are no leaders. There is no backing from any political party or the identity of an organisation. It’s just people coming together.

On November 13, they will gather at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram – thousands of them from various parts of the country – and release 50,000 balloons. They would reaffirm the pledge in the Constitution, and use magenta as their colour, a colour not used by any party.

Poet K Satchidanandan explains why he is part of the movement

“The Constitution is there so people live in peace. While we can challenge it, as citizens we still need to follow it. What we see in Kerala today is political powers trying to cash in on the believers’ faith,” Ajit explains the context of the movement, which was formed about ten days ago and already having thousands take part in it.

On their Facebook page, they write:

“The streets and news of Kerala so far have been creating an impression that the line of thought Kerala follows is unconstitutional, misogynistic and against the rule of law. But every Malayali knows in their heart this applies only to a puny minority. Yet unfortunately, their overwhelming visibility is masking what is the actual truth.

But now, realising the seriousness of the threat this is turning out to be, the people of Kerala are awakening to reveal our true selves to the wider world. Now it is our turn to proclaim Kerala’s real stand on the streets, and on the news (sic).”

There is no centralised programme, Ajit says. Anyone is welcome to come and share their views. There will be music and poetry, there will be celebration. “United under the fundamental sentiments of adoration for our great constitution, we will show everyone that we stand for the ideals of liberty and equality of our modern secular nation – We the PEOPLE!” the Facebook post says.

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