Cis-women, queer community and transgenders march in Delhi on Savitribai Phule's birth anniversary

"Aaj hum uthe nahi toh julm badta jayega," which translates to "If we don't wake up today, the injustice will increase," read the poster of the national march led by women and members of trans and queer communities. Over 500 people marched from Delhi's Mandi House to Jantar Mandar on Friday, to commemorate the 189th birth anniversary of Savitribai Phule.

The participants also protested the Citizenship Amendment Bill and the implementation of a nationwide NRC through the march. "Savitribai Phule was the first woman teacher in the country who opened a school for the Dalits. Today, the ruling party is discriminating against all the minorities including the trans community, queer people and women," says Utkarsh, a member of the SFI Delhi state committee. The march was organised by SFI and several other organisations including AISA, AIDWA, All India Network of Sex Workers, The Queer Muslim Project and the National Network of Sex Workers. "We are also protesting against the CAA and the implementation of the NRC through this," he says.

The march ended with a public meeting in Jantar Mantar, where the representatives of all organisations spoke. The participants say that even though there was no resistance from the police's side, a few police officers were recording the march on camera.