Kerala college stages protest against CAA through football

The Maharaja's College in Kochi witnessed a unique protest against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act as they hosted a programme called 'An offering with football against fascism' at the campus on Monday. Jointly organised by the Collective Phase One, Streets of Calicut and the Football Union of the Maharaja's College, the event had football at its very core as it looked to inform the youngsters about the happenings in the country.

Two events that captured all the attention were 'Shootout for Democracy' and 'Dribble Past Fascism.' The participants needed to score past defenders and a goalie - mannequins dressed in khaki shorts. The aim of the unique event was to score past them and emerge victorious. Every goal scored was accompanied by shouts of 'Azadi.'

“The need of the hour is for the fraternity to stand together and embrace solidarity and harmony against fascism. Football has this ability to unify people and bring them together,” said writer-director Muhsin Parari, one of the brains behind the protest.

The programme that was also organised to voice dissent over the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR), featured the captains of Kerala and the Indian blind football teams, Aneesh MK and Falhan CS. TV Seena, a former national footballer was a participant as well, taking a kick in the event.

The event also saw a football tournament that featured four college teams. Seven-a-side matches along with five-a-game events were organized as well, with women athletes and young football athletes from Kerala being eligible to participate too.

Along with football, the event also saw noted singer Shabaz Aman and the Shanka Tribe performing as placards against the CAA filled the venue. The eight-hour-long 'protests' ended with a unified promise to wipe out all fascist elements from the nation, and the unique way in which it was carried out needs applause.