Highlights: Opposition rallies against CAA, NRC as BJP pushes pro-campaign
Thousands of police and paramilitary are on the streets in Uttar Pradesh to ensure peace for Friday prayers.
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Muslims under the banner of United Muslim Action Committee during their protest rally against CAA(Citizen Amendment Act) in Darussalam, Hyderabad, Saturday, Dec,21,2019 | Photo: PTI
Thousands of police and paramilitary are on the streets in Uttar Pradesh to ensure peace for Friday prayers, seeking to prevent violence that killed at least 19 people in two weeks of protests against the new citizenship law.
Internet has been suspended in 14 cities, including Bulandshar, Mathura, Ghaziabad and Agra, for the day to prevent rumours during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
India has been rocked by demonstrations since December 12, after the government enacted CAA that provides non-Muslim minorities from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who moved here before 2015 a pathway to Indian citizenship.
8:54 PM
Protests foiled in Delhi, over 350 detained
Police detained over 350 protesters including women who tried to stage a demonstration outside the Uttar Pradesh Bhawan here on Friday against alleged police brutalities in the state following agitations over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. The Jamia Coordination Committee, which comprises students from various political groups active on the campus, had called for a "gherao" of the UP Bhawan, where prohibitory orders were clamped under section 144 of CrPC. The JCC later said in a statement that the gherao did not take place because of the police crackdown and a memorandum prepared by JCC could not be submitted. It condemned the "ridiculous action" of the police.
7:31 PM
Act against those who destroyed railway property: Goyal to Mamata
Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Friday appealed West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to take action against those who damaged railway property during the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). "It is unfortunate that public property was targeted (during anti-CAA protests). It also shows the mindset of the people who are instigating the violence," the minister said. "We have filed necessary complaints in police stations, (these incidents) largely happened in West Bengal.I hope the West Bengal government will take action," he said. "I appeal chief minister Mamata Banerjee to take stern action against the culprits," the BJP leader said. "Railways do not have the power to take these cases to logical end. Local police have to take necessary action.
6:34 PM
Pics: Protestors gathered at Jama Masjid after Friday prayers
A protestor holds the national flag during a protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, after Friday prayers, at Jama Masjid. PTI
Protestors participate in a demonstration against Citizenship (Amendment) Act, after Friday prayers, at Jama Masjid in New Delhi. PTI
6:25 PM
Stay away from violence: Akshay Kumar on CAA
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar on Friday urged people to stay away from violence during the Citizenship Amendment Act protests, irrespective of their political leanings. "I don't like violence. Whether any side left side or right side, just don't do violence. Don't destroy property, don't do that, be away from violence. Whatever you want to say to each other do it with positivity, talk to each other, stop violence. Just do not destroy anybody's property, nobody should do that," Akshay said in a group interview.
5:37 PM
Pro-CAA rally at Mumbai's August Kranti Maidan draws crowds
A large number of people gathered for a pro-CAA rally at the historic August Kranti Maidan, where a massive protest against the Citizenship Act was held last week. At the rally, organised by BJP's Sanvidan Sanman Manch', supporters of CAA were seen carrying national flags along with placards with pro-CAA and NRC messages and shouting slogans. The organisers had planned a support march between the August Kranti Maidan to Lokmanya Tilak statue at Girgaum Chowpatty but Mumbai police denied them permission for the march citing law and order issues.
5:37 PM
Four detained in Gwalior during anti-CAA protest
Four persons were taken in custody during a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) here on Friday, the police said. Additional Superintendent of Police Satyendra Tomar said some people gathered in Fulbagh Square in the afternoon, holding banners and placards against the CAA and the National Register of Citizens without a permission for holding a protest.
5:17 PM
BHIM Army Sena demands release of Chandrasekhar Azad
Supporters of the Bhim Army Sena take part in a march demanding for the release of their leader Chandrasekhar Azad and protest against the amended Citizenship Act, NRC and NPR, in New Delhi. PTI
4:55 PM
CAA does not strip any Indian of citizenship: Fadnavis
Leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly Devendra Fadnavis said on Friday that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act does not take away the citizenship of any Indian national.Talking to reporters before participating in a rally organised by his party in support of the Act, Fadnavis accused the opposition of misleading Indian Muslims. "Pakistan did not fulfill the (implicit) assurance during Partition that minorities will be protected (in both the countries). Hence India has to look after them because they are our people," said the former chief minister.
"The opposition is deliberately trying to create misunderstanding among Indian Muslims about the Act. For vote bank politics, opposition is trying to create unrest," he alleged.
4:49 PM
Opposition rally against CAA in Kolkata
The opposition Left Front and Congress Friday took out a joint rally in the city to protest against the contentious amended Citizenship Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens.The rally was led by West Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra and senior Left Front leaders from Subodh Mullick Square to Mahajati Sadan in central Kolkata. "Our message is very clear that only the Congress and Left can fight against BJP. Only we can put up a mass movement against the communal BJP government," Mitra said.
4:38 PM
Protest underway at Azad Maidan in Mumbai
Fresh protest against CAA, NRC in Mumbai; students carry anti-govt banners at Azad Maidan.
Topics : Citizenship Bill NRC Citizenship Act
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First Published: Dec 27 2019 | 9:29 AM IST
