CAA-stir: Protest begins at Delhi's Mandi House, Section 144 imposed
The protest against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act has taken center stage in Delhi, again, courtesy a protest march called by Swaraj India's Yogendra Yadav. Today, a march was planned from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar, the designated place for protests. But before the protest began, Section 144 of CrPC was imposed in Mandi House. Here are more details.
Backstory: Furious at new citizenship law, Indians took to streets
Recently, innumerable Indians protested against the newly-implemented CAA, claiming it contradicts the secular fabric of India. The law allows persecuted non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, to get Indian citizenship. Its critics said that coupled with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which BJP said it would implement nationwide, CAA will become dangerous and could be used as a tool to target minorities.
Pertinently, students from Jamia also participated in the protest
Evidently, the prohibitory orders of the Delhi Police didn't stop people from ascending at Mandi House. In fact, dozens of students of Jamia Millia Islamia University also attended the agitation and raised slogans against the current regime. Their participation gains prominence as just a few of days ago, Jamia became the epicenter of tensions after the Delhi Police unleashed its brutality on protesting students.
Carrying cut-outs of freedom fighters, protesters slammed government
Pictures and videos from the spot which found their way to social media showed protesters carrying cut-outs of BR Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi, and Bhagat Singh. They asked the government to scrap the controversial law. Interestingly, after protesters defied orders and marched towards Jantar Mantar, cops walked with them. The march was largely peaceful and no altercation between Delhi Police and personnel was reported.
Here are the visuals from the spot
Delhi Police marching side-by-side #CAA_NRC_Protests pic.twitter.com/vYDiliqSKl
— Somesh Jha (@someshjha7) December 24, 2019
Meanwhile, Yadav said PM Modi lied about detention centers
Surrounded by dozens of protesters, Yadav raised slogans against Home Minister Amit Shah. Referring to PM Modi's speech at Ramlila Maidan, he said, "The Prime Minister said there are no detention centers in India. But we all know and it has been reported widely work on such centers have started." He also underscored that PM Modi and Shah's statements were contradictory.
Everyone should have same status in India
एक विरासत एक शहादत एक शहरियत
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) December 24, 2019
हिन्दोस्तां में हर इंसां की एक हैसियत!
मंडी हाउस से जन्तर मंतर तक विरोध मार्च#IndiaRejectsCAA #CAA_NRCProtests pic.twitter.com/bgWByDUiZW
