KALYAN: Even though the state has advised people to avoid mass gatherings due to coronavirus, the protesters of Shaheen Baghs from Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Mumbra and 23 other organisations have decided to organise a 40-km march on Monday from Bhiwandi Bypass to Vidhan Parishad in Mumbai against the state government’s decision of implementing NPR (National Population Register) from this May.

The organiser has claimed that over 1 lakh protesters will participate in the peaceful march.

Rameez Falke, one of protesters said,"A total of 23 political and non-political organisations and their members alongwith Shaheen Baghs of Kalyan, Bhiwandi and Mumbra will participate in the march."

Falke said, "We are also in contact with Shaheen Bagh of Mumbai and requesting them to join us in the protest."

The protesters said that 1,500 volunteers, including 1,000 men and 500 women, will be deployed. The protesters have written to Thane police demanding permission for the protest. However, a senior police official from Thane told TOI, "No permission has been given to the organisers for any such protest. If they carry out any such protest then an action would be taken against them."

Meanwhile, Kanchan Kulkarni, women district president of Congress Party, who is also leading protest in Kalyan said, "In the past too, police have not given us permission. Our march will continue even if they deny permission to us."

However, when asked about coronavirus spread in the country and government's advisory on people to avoid mass gatherings, Shyam Dada Gaikwad, president of Republican Secular Party, who is leading the protest said, “Today, it is 51st day of the protest in Kalyan against CAA, NRC and NPR and the government is not listening to us due to which we have decided to organise long march. Also, we will consult with our doctors about coronavirus and measures to be taken for safety.