New Delhi: At least six people have died in violence across Uttar Pradesh as thousands took to the streets protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Internet services continue to be blocked in several parts of the country and Section 144 -- a law that bans gatherings of four or more people, effectively making protests illegal -- was imposed in cities across the UP and Karnataka.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in a statement on Friday evening, called the new citizenship law "discriminatory" and accused the BJP-led central government using "brute force to suppress dissent". She assured the people that her party "is fully committed to stand up and defend their fundamental rights and uphold the foundational values of our constitution."
Protesters in Old Delhi carrying Indian flags and "Save the Constitution" banners and marching from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar in the centre of the city were stopped at Delhi Gate. Delhi Police put up barricades to block the protesters but as the crowd grew larger, and a vehicle was set on fire outside a police station, police resorted to using water cannons and baton-charges to control the situation.
Earlier in the day, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad led a massive protest against the controversial law at Jama Masjid and called for a protest march to Jantar Mantar. At least 11 protestors were injured and taken to a government hospital nearby.
Delhi Metro has shut 17 station in response to the violence, including the busy Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market stations.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the first time makes religion the test of citizenship in India. The government says it will help minorities from three Muslim-dominated countries to get citizenship if they fled to India because of religious persecution. Critics say it is designed to discriminate against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the constitution.
Here are the Highlights on developments on Citizenship Amendment Act:
Dec 20, 2019 20:05 (IST)
Citizenship Act Protests: Priyanka Gandhi Arrives At India Gate
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi arrived at India Gate on Friday evening to thousands of people protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Dec 20, 2019 19:00 (IST)
Citizenship Act, NRC Will Particularly Hurt Poor And Vulnerable: Sonia Gandhi
"The Citizenship Amendment Act is discriminatory and the proposed nationwide NRC will particularly hurt the poor and vulnerable. Like at the time of notebandhi (notes ban), they will have to stand in line to prove their and their ancestor's citizenship. People's apprehensions are real and legitimate"
Dec 20, 2019 18:58 (IST)
Citizenship Act Protests: Brute Repression Unleashed By BJP Government, Says Sonia Gandhi
"There have been spontaneous protests in the universities, the IITs, IIMs and other leading academic institutions throughout the country against the divisive agenda and anti-people policies of the BJP government"
Dec 20, 2019 18:21 (IST)
Metro Shutdown Update: 17 Metro Stations Have Been Shut In Delhi
"Entry and exit gates of Mandi House and Janpath are closed. Interchange facility is available at Mandi House," the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation or DMRC said in a tweet.
Earlier, the DMRC had closed the entry and exit gates of Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market station. Interchange facility was available at Rajiv Chowk
Johri Enclave, Shiv Vihar and Dilshad Garden stations were also closed
"Of the 285 stations, Chawri Bazar, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid & Delhi Gate on violet line, Jaffrabad & Maujpur-Babarpur on pink line and Jamia Millia Islamia on magenta line are closed as per instructions of security agencies. Rest of the metro network is operating as per schedule," the DMRC had tweeted
Dec 20, 2019 17:02 (IST)
Those born before 1987 or whose parents born before 1987 are Indians, says Government: Report
Anyone born in India before 1987 or whose parents were born before 1987 are bona fide Indian citizens according to law and need not worry due to the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019 (CAA) or a possible nationwide NRC, a top government official was quoted as saying news agency PTI.
Dec 20, 2019 16:55 (IST)
CAA Protest: BJP Will Have To Go If It Doesn't Take Back Citizenship Amended Act, Says Mamata Banerjee
Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the BJP will have to go if it doesn't take back Citizenship Amended Act and drop plans to implement nation-wide NRC.
Dec 20, 2019 16:52 (IST)
Citizenship Amendment Act Won't Affect Goans With Portuguese Passports, Says Goa Chief Minister
"Goans who are in Portugal or those holding Portuguese passports would not be affected by the CAA," said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant adding that some elements were trying to misguide people claiming that the Portuguese passport holders will be in trouble because of the new citizenship law
