Citizenship Amendment Act protests Updates: In order to remove the "misconceptions" from people's minds about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the Gujarat BJP plans to organise a number of programmes in the state, including door-to-door campaigns, meetings and 'Run for CAA'.
Rahul Gandhi said, "No India should allow Modi-Shah to divide India the way they are doing."
Even as protests against the amended citizenship act continued in many parts of the country, including in Delhi, Mumbai and Pune, curfew was relaxed for seven hours in parts of Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
"Curfew was relaxed for seven hours on Sunday from 1pm in four police station limits. Mobile internet service has also resumed in the city. Curfew was relaxed so that people could buy essential items," Additional Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kumar Tripathi told PTI.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday made an unscheduled visit to Bijnor in Uttar Pradesh and met families of two persons, killed in recent violence over the amended citizenship law.
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma, in response to Prime MInister Narendra Modi's speech, claimed that the Opposition had not raised the issue of the NRC "in vacuum".
"The Home Minister's statement in both the Houses are in the public domain. They have to be then duly clarified. Those statements have created an environment of fear, insecurity and uncertainty in the country. It is primarily the governemnt which is responsible for that," he said.
Even as Narendra Modi was addressing a rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and said,"Dear youth of India, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have destroyed your future. We can only defeat them by responding with love towards every Indian."
Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the entire Left front, which is left in "small pockets in the country, is opposing this as well." He said "Prakash Karat, their senior leader, had also asked for support for religiously persecuted people coming from Bangladesh. "These people have always done vote-bank politics. Everything ever said by them was a lie," he alleged. He attacked Opposition for agitating people for "their votes, spreading violence, and are spreading false rumours."
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused his rivals of stoking fears among people and misleading Muslims over the amended citizenship law, and asserted that his government's schemes have never done any discrimination on the basis of religion. Addressing a rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, he said the citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens have nothing to do with Indian Muslims.
A lie is being spread that this government had brought the law to snatch people's rights, the prime minister said and dared rivals to find anything discriminatory in his work. "Few Opposition parties are going to an extreme for their own benefit. They are spreading all kinds of rumours, misleading people and stoking their emotions against citizenship law." Narendra Modi during the mega rally in Delhi. Modi further accused rivals of creating fear and chaos, and trying to defame India abroad. He further appeals to his anti-CAA protestors saying they "should burn my effigy if they hate me but they should not target the poor."
He further alleged that Muslims were being misled, and said "I have always ensured that documents will never come in way of development schemes and their beneficiaries."
Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Sunday during the mega-rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maida. He asked the people present at the rally to "hail Parliament for passing the act". He further stated that CAA will help the marginalised and asked the country to stand up and "show your respect to the lawmakers." He slammed 'some parties' of spreading lies and fake information about the act. He said that the government was not stripping anyone of its rights.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is greeted on stage at the Ramlila Maidan for giving ownership rights to 40 lakh residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies in Delhi. He kicks off the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections by addressing the rally amid nationwide Citizenship Amendment Act protests.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said here on Sunday that Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have the option to go to as many as 150 Islamic countries in the world while persecuted minorities in three neighbouring countries have nowhere to go except India to take recluse. He was addressing a rally in support of Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 here in Nagpur on Sunday. 'The Muslims who come from these three countries are not called refugees while the Hindus, Jain, Parsis, Sikh, Christians etc are called refugees,' said Gadkari.
The CAA and the NRC are India's 'internal issues', Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen has said, but voiced concern that any 'uncertainty' in the country is likely to affect its neighbours. Amid raging protests over the controversial citizenship law across India, Momen hoped that the situation 'cools down' and the neighbouring country 'can get out of it'.
Thousands of people have gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for Narendra Modi's mega rally that marks the beginning of BJP's campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections. Modi is expected to bring up the CAA issue in his speech, given the widespread protests against the amended Citizenship Act across the capital and the country. According to Times of India, BJP has claimed that an estimated two lakh attendees from across the north India are coming to the event aboard 3,000 buses.
Thousands of people have gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for Narendra Modi' mega rally on Sunday. Twitter/@BJP4India
Uttar Pradesh's DGP, OP Singh on Sunday denied permission to a four members delegation of All India Trinamool Congress from visiting Lucknow today. He told ANI, "We have come to know that some political leaders of TMC want to visit here (Lucknow). We will not permit them for the same as section 144 is imposed in the area and it can make the atmosphere more tense." A four-member delegation of All India Trinamool Congress was expected to be visiting Lucknow on Sunday to meet the grieving families of those who were killed in police firing. The delegation which is expected to reach Lucknow on 22 December would be led by Dinesh Trivedi.
Amid protests across India against the amended Citizenship Act, a group of social activists and citizens on Sunday organised a pro-CAA rally in Bengaluru after prohibitory orders have been lifted. The rally, “India Supports CAA”, will take place in Sir Puttana Chetty Town Hall from 10 am, organisers told The Indian Express. Similarly, hundreds of Lok Adhikar Manch workers gathered in Nagpur on Sunday morning to hold a rally in support of the newly-enacted Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which is largely being opposed across the country.
According to ANI, internet services have been restored in Aligarh. Services were suspended from 15 December after violence broke out during protests over Citizenship Amendment Act. Meanwhile, internet services remain suspended in Meerut till 5 pm on Sunday in view of the recent violence in Uttar Pradesh during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Internet services have also been suspended in Prayagraj district till Monday, reports ANI.
Sixty-five people were arrested and 350, including a former legislator, booked here for allegedly spreading violence over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), police said on Saturday. A special drive has been launched to nab miscreants resorting to violence and pelting stones on police during protests, they said. More than 65 people have been arrested and FIRs registered against 350 anti-social elements, Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Singh told PTI. An FIR has been also lodged against former Loni MLA Zakir Ali, he added. Singh said miscreants have been identified and will be arrested soon.
One person died as clashes broke out during protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the toll in the state from Thursday to 16. Internet services have been restored in Aligarh. Services were suspended from 15 December after violence broke out during protests over Citizenship Amendment Act.
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally on Sunday at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, which is a little over a kilometre away from Old Delhi's Daryaganj that was hit by violence on Friday during a protest against the amended Citizenship Act. In a statement, senior BJP leader Vijay Goel said preparations for the rally, which is being organised to thank Modi for giving ownership rights to 40 lakh residents of 1731 unauthorised colonies, are in full swing.
Meanwhile, the Congress, led by party interim chief Sonia Gandhi, has decided to stage a silent protest at Rajghat on Sunday afternoon demanding protection for the Constitution and the rights of people as enshrined in it.
Top leaders of the party including its former president Rahul Gandhi and its general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra are likely to participate in the 'satyagrah dharna' till the evening, sources said. The decision to hold the silent protest was taken at a meeting of top party leaders at Sonia Gandhi's residence on Monday evening, they said. The sources, however, said the party was yet to get permission for holding the protest at Rajghat: a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi.
One person died as clashes broke out during protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the toll in the state from Thursday to 16. Large-scale vandalism during a bandh called by the Rashtriya Janata Dal in the neighbouring state of Bihar disrupted road and rail traffic. The Congress, Left and other Opposition parties led demonstrations in many states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland and West Bengal, demanding that the contentious law be scrapped.
One person died and several people were injured in clashes between anti-CAA protesters, who pelted stones and indulged in arson, and police in Rampur in UP, officials said. Protestors set ablaze Yatimkhana police post in Kanpur and indulged in heavy brickbatting, leading to injuries to many people including policemen, a senior official said. Police used cane-charge and tear gas to chase them away.
UP police said as many as 705 persons have been arrested and 4,500 were detained for the violence during the last two days. They said 260 security personnel were injured, of whom 57 suffered gunshot wounds.
A day after massive protests and clashes in the national capital, Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad was arrested when he came outside Jama Masjid, where he had taken part in a demonstration on Friday, and was later sent to judicial custody for 14 days by a court.
Police and paramilitary personnel carried out flag march in violence-hit areas, even as scores of people held peaceful demonstrations against the amended Citizenship Act at several places, including at India Gate, Jamia Millia Islamia, Rajghat, Uttar Pradesh Bhawan. Police said no untoward incident was reported.
Fifteen people arrested for Friday's violence in Daryaganj were remanded in judicial custody for two days, while 11 others were sent to jail for a fortnight in connection with the Seemapuri incident.
The situation in Assam, where protesters carried out rallies against the amended law, was peaceful while mobile internet services were restored in Meghalaya.
Thousands of university students hit the streets and marched towards state BJP headquarters in Kolkata demanding roll back of the law. A scuffle broke out between the police and the protesters when some tried to break through the police barricades and head towards the party office. The Youth Congress organized a march to Raj Bhavan in the afternoon.
In Bihar, carrying bamboo sticks and party flags, supporters of bandh called by Rashtriya Janata Dal, against the amended Citizenship Act gathered at bus stands, railway tracks and other vantage points in all districts of the state since the crack of dawn, unfazed by the winter fog and chilly winds.
They squatted on railway tracks, disrupting train movement, and blocked bus terminuses at various places to enforce the day-long bandh.
The protesters also smashed windshields of taxis and three-wheelers and damaged cycle-rickshaws that plied on the roads in defiance of the call for the shutdown at the towns of Bhagalpur, Muzaffarpur and outskirts of Patna.
A vehicle torched allegedly by protestors during a demonstration against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), at Phulwarisharif in Patna Saturday. PTI
Protests continued in many cities in the southern states. CPM activist tried to block trains at the railway station in Chennai but their attempts were foiled by police.
The Congress in Kerala led by its top leaders held demonstrations in all district headquarters of the state. There were scuffles at several places in Tamil and Kerala between police and protesters who tried to break barricades.
Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa visited Mangaluru and met the families of two persons who were killed in police firing there on Thursday during violent anti-CAA protests. Police detained CPI Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala Binoy Viswam and some party activists who staged a protest in the city against the CAA defying curfew.
Amid the countrywide stir against the Citizenship Act, BJP ally Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) urged the Centre to include Muslims in the new law by bringing an amendment to it and said there should not be any exclusion on the basis of religion.
"We strongly feel that the Muslim community should be included in it (amended Citizenship Act)," SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal said in Patiala.
BSP president Mayawati asked the Centre to give up its "stubborn stand" on the new citizenship law and NRC and withdraw its decisions as now "voices opposed to the CAA and NRC have started coming from within the NDA".
NCP chief Sharad Pawar said that like eight other states, Maharashtra should also refuse implementation of the new citizenship law, which he feared would hurt the religious and social harmony of India.
Unfazed by the criticism, the BJP announced that it will start a mass contact programme to expose opposition parties' "lies" and apprise people of the details of the law to assure them that it is not against existing citizens.
Party general secretary Bhupender Yadav told reporters that the BJP, within the next 10 days, will contact more than three crore families, organise a rally in every district and hold over 250 press conferences across the country.
Uttar Pradesh
Despite restrictions on movement and Internet services, BJP-ruled Uttar Pradesh, which was hit by large scale violent protests after Friday prayers, saw more clashes on Saturday.
Amid a bandh call in Rampur against the CAA, around 400 to 500 protestors, including children in the age group of 12-18 years, gathered at some distance from the Eidgah in the city and stones were pelted at policemen, leading to clashes, officials said.
"Of the five injured, four were referred to Meerut for treatment where one died, while another is in a serious condition. Around a dozen protestors have been detained," District Magistrate (DM) Aunjaneya Singh told PTI.
Samajwadi Party MLA Amitabh Bajpai was arrested as a precautionary measure and his vehicles seized in Kanpur, police said.
After a lull of four days, the Aligarh Muslim University campus again witnessed protests with hundreds of non-teaching staff joining hands with teachers' association to oppose the CAA and police action against students. The AMU has set up a one-man judicial panel to conduct an internal inquiry into violent incidents that took place on the campus on 15 and 16 December. Police earlier said at least 15 people, including an eight-year-old boy, lost their lives in the state since Thursday in the state.
Over 260 policemen were also injured, of whom 57 received gunshot wounds, IG (Law and Order) Praveen Kumar said. Director-General of Police OP Singh claimed women and children were used as "shields by the protestors". He maintained that police did not open fire and suggested the deaths were due to cross firing between protestors.
"We are clear and transparent in this. If anyone died due to our fire we will conduct a judicial inquiry and take action. But nothing happened from our side," he said.
So far 218 people have been arrested in Lucknow, he said.
Clashes with police were reported after Friday prayers from Bhadohi, Bahraich, Amroha, Farurukhabad, Ghaziabad, Varanasi, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Hapur, Hathras, Bulandshahr, Hamirpur and Mahoba districts and cases have been registered. Internet had been suspended in major cities, including Lucknow.
Bihar
Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the opposition in Bihar Assembly, marched in a large procession against the amended Citizenship Act from the party office in Bir Chand Patel Marg in Patna to Dak Bungalow crossing, throwing traffic on the busy Fraser Road and Bailey Road out of gear.
At some places in Patna, workers of the RJD, known for their strong arm tactics to enforce bandhs, presented people with roses and urged them with folded hands to support the shutdown in "national interest".
The shutdown, which came two days after a bandh was called on the same issue by Left parties, is being supported by other constituents of the Grand Alliance like the Congress and the Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP).
Movement of at least seven trains was affected for periods ranging from 30 minutes to over an hour at various stations, the East Central Railway, headquartered at Hajipur in the state, said in a statement.
In Muzaffarpur, the largest north Bihar town, RJD and Congress leaders sat on highways, major road and railway crossings to enforce the bandh. At places like Brahmpura, they clashed with shopkeepers who were reluctant to down their shutters.
Reports of the bandh disrupting normal business and vehicular traffic have been received from districts like Munger, Bhagalpur, Begusarai, Jehanabad and Nawada as well.
North East
In Meghalaya, curfew imposed in Sadar and Lumdiengjri police station limits in Shillong was relaxed for 16 hours from 5 am on Saturday and no untoward incident was reported in these areas in the past 24 hours, East Khasi Hills District Magistrate M W Nongbri said. Protesters took out peaceful rallies in Assam against the amended Citizenship Act at various places, police said.
The curfew imposed in Dibrugarh following violent protests against the Act was relaxed for 16 hours since 6 am on Saturday as the law and order situation improved, they said. Mobile internet services were restored on Friday in Assam after nine days of its suspension while broadband services had resumed on 18 December.
According to sources, the West Bengal police have stepped up vigil and beefed up security arrangements in various parts of the state in order to prevent any untoward incident.
The state had witnessed violence and arson from 13 to 17 December during protests against the new citizenship law. More than 600 people have been arrested so far for their alleged involvement in arson and violence in the state, police said.
Southern states
Senior Congress leaders including Ramesh Chennithala, Mullappally Ramachandran, Shashi Tharoor, Benny Behanan and M M Hassan participated in anti-CAA protests held in all district headquarters of Kerala.
In some places including Kochi, Wayanad and Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram the workers tried to break the police barricades and enter central government institutions, leading to minor scuffles with police personnel.
"It is a fight against authoritarianism and fascism. The government is using brute force to silence the people who are on the streets against the law meant to divide the people of the country on religious lines," Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Chennithala alleged while addressing the protesters.
In Tamil Nadu, outfits affiliated to the CPI(M) including the Democratic Youth Federation of India, and Students Federation of India attempted to block trains at the MGR Central Railway Station complex in the state capital, leading to scuffles with police.
Communist Party of India veteran Nallakannu led the march to Raj Bhavan as part of the party's "besiege Raj Bhavan" agitation in which scores of Congress workers, volunteers of outfits including the CPI-affiliated All India Students' Federation, took part.
They were stopped near the Taluk Office Road-Little Mount point. Protests were held at Kumbakonam and other parts of Tamil Nadu as well by various outfits including Islamic bodies.
During his visit to Mangaluru, Yediyurappa also met representatives of Christian and Muslim communities, political leaders and officials.
He appealed for peace and said he has instructed the district administration to provide compensation to the families of the victims as per law.
Curfew is in place within the city commissionerate till Sunday midnight in view of violence during Thursday protests. The chief minister promised relaxation in curfew. Six people, including CPI Rajya Sabha MP from Kerala Binoy Viswam were detained when they staged a protest in the city against the CAA defying curfew.
Police have restricted the entry of former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah in Mangaluru during the period of curfew. Meanwhile, as many as 1,100 academicians and research scholars from various universities across India and abroad as well as prominent persons released a statement in support of the amended Citizenship Act.
The signatories to the statement include Rajya Sabha member Swapan Dasgupta, Shishir Bajoria, Chairman, IIM Shillong, Sunaina Singh, Vice-Chancellor, Nalanda University and JNU professor Ainul Hasan, Abhijit Iyer-Mitra.
With inputs from PTI
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Updated Date: Dec 22, 2019 23:45:28 IST
Highlights
Madras HC holds special sitting on plea seeking to ban protest tomorrow
The Madras High Court is holding a special sitting to hear a plea seeking to restrain DMK and its allies from holding a rally in Chennai tomorrow against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The Tamil Nadu government has told the court that it has rejected permission for the rally.
TM Krishna slams Centre on NRC
The classical vocalist has been critical of the Narendra Modi-led government in the past.
PM's assurance on NRC sounds hollow, says Pinarayi Vijayan
Doctors travelling to anti-CAA protest sites to give medical attention to protesters
'Don't let Modi, Shah divide India,' says Rahul Gandhi
48 arrested, 262 booked over violence in Muzaffarnagar
Marches for and against CAA-NRC held in several areas of Mumbai
Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa writes to President seeking expansion of CAA to include Ahmadiyyas
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa has written to the President, urging him to have the ambit of new citizenship law expanded to include in it Ahmadiyya community too, facing persecution in Pakistan.
Karnataka govt announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia kin of 2 killed during protests in Mangaluru
"I have directed the Deputy Commissioner (of Dakshina Kannada district) to give Rs 10 lakh each to the two families. The amount will be paid to them today," PTI quoted Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa as saying, following his visit to Managluru.
The chief minister said he would order an inquiry into the incident after holding discussions with state Home Minister Basvaraj Bommai on the modalities of the probe. Yediyurappa said the inquiry would be apolitical.
AMU students, staff demand new V-C, registrar
Students and staff of the Aligarh Muslim University have expelled the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor and Registrar S. Abdul Hamid, says a notice issued by the Office of Students, AMU.
The notice, dated 22 December, 2019, asks the V-C, Registrar to vacate their respective lodges till 5 january, 2020 and says that the students, tecahing and non-teaching staff shall boycott the administration untill the notice is complied with.
Toll in Meerut violence rises to five
The death toll in the violence that occurred during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut two days ago rose to five, a senior police official said on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Mohsin, Aasif, Zahir, Aalim, all residents of Meerut, and Asif from Delhi, Inspector General Alok Singh said. During the protests on Friday, protesters had torched vehicles and pelted stones at police, who used lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse mobs.
Thirty-five policemen were also injured in Friday's violence. They are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the city, Singh said. Police have arrested 102 people in connection with the violence and efforts are on to nab the other suspects, he added.
Singh said internet services have been shut down for now and social media is being continuously monitored for inflammatory posts. To maintain law and order, peace committees have been constituted under police stations and local residents have also been roped in, he said.
Prohibitory order imposed for two months in Manipur's Imphal West district
The Manipur government has imposed a prohibitory order on Imphal West district for two months in view of the continued protests against the new citizenship law, an official said on Sunday.
The prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC was clamped on Imphal West on Saturday from 5.30 pm, said a statement issued by the office of District Magistrate Naorem Praveen. "Assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful is prohibited," it said.
The order also stated that "carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid licence, weapons or objects of any description" which can be used for offensive activities is not allowed. "There is a likelihood of serious breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquility and grave danger to human lives and properties in the entire district on account of unlawful activities of some anti-social elements," the order said.
TMC delegation 'detained' at Lucknow airport, says party MP
A four-member TMC delegation, which was scheduled to meet the grieving families of those killed in Uttar Pradesh during protests over the new citizenship law, was "detained" at Lucknow airport on Sunday afternoon, party sources claimed.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Md Nadimul Haque, who is part of the delegation, said he and other party memebers were staging a sit-in near a hanger at the airport. "We have been detained at Lucknow airport. As soon as we got down from the aircraft, we were surrounded by the police and were taken by the police to a secluded spot on the runway. We are staging a dharna near a hanger," Haque told PTI over phone from Lucknow.
The delegation, led by party's former MP Dinesh Trivedi also includes parliamentarian Pratima Mondal and Abir Biswas.
UP Deputy chief minister alleges 'outsiders' role in violence during anti-CAA protests
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Sunday alleged "outsiders' role" in the incidents of violence reported from various districts of the state where protests took place against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
He pointed out that six persons hailing from West Bengal's Malda district, associated with the PFI, had been arrested by the state police. Speaking to reporters, Sharma said, "There is involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI). They have connection with SIMI. Six persons from Malda have been arrested." Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI is a banned terror outfit.
He added, "The state government is capable of handling the situation effectively to ensure peace. We have spoken to Muslim clerics."
"As many as 288 cops have sustained injuries, of which 62 are due to firearms. About 500 empty cartridges of prohibited bore (bullets) have been found. This indicates that the protestors were using illegal weapons."
Sharma also said that the arrested persons have to pay for the damage as per Supreme Court orders. So far, 705 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence.
People from NE hold protests at Jantar Mantar
People from the north-east gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday, claiming that the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were given a Hindu-Muslim colour and the voices from the region fighting for the rights of indigenous people ignored.
The protesters, including students and civil society members, said they were deeply hurt and distressed by the police "brutality" on those against the CAA, but "our protest is about our rights".
"We will not let others hijack our agenda. We are here to speak about our people. You cannot always ask one to take more people," Tripura's royal scion Pradyot Deb Barman, who is also present there, said.
"We respect their protest. We sympathise with the students of Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. It does not matter if you are a Hindu or a Muslim, the CAA is going to trigger a massive demographic change in the north-east," a protester said.
"I am sure if Muslims are included in the list of communities to be granted citizenship through CAA, they will not protest. But we will protest anyway," she added.
People who hold the tri-colour flag, raise your voice against Pakistan, urges Modi
Narendra Modi urged people who hold the "tri-color" to raise their voices against the violent protesters and call to bring peace. "I want to call upon the people who hold the tri-color to raise their voices against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism." he added.
Narendra Modi alleges Opposition of 'vote-bank politics'
Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the entire Left front, which is left in "small pockets in the country, is opposing this as well." He said "Prakash Karat, their senior leader, had also asked for support for religiously persecuted people coming from Bangladesh.
"These people have always done vote-bank politics. Everything ever said by them was a lie," he alleged. He attacked Opposition for agitating people for "their votes, spreading violence, and are spreading false rumours."
Citizenship law, NRC have nothing to do with Indian Muslims, states Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused his rivals of stoking fears among people and misleading Muslims over the amended citizenship law, and asserted that his government's schemes have never done any discrimination on the basis of religion.
Addressing a rally at Ramlila Maidan here, he said the citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens have nothing to do with Indian Muslims. A lie is being spread that this government had brought the law to snatch people's rights, the prime minister said and dared rivals to find anything discriminatory in his work.
Unable to challenge him in elections, Modi asserted, his rivals have resorted to dividing the country through rumours. Without naming the rival parties, he said people were incited by those in high positions, who shared fake videos.
Minorities are forced to convert in Pakistan alleges Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied all rumours about the Citizenship Amendment Act which state that the Act was for those Indians who are tortured in Pakistan and are forcibly converted there. "These people have come to India only due to such religious persecution," he said.
Respond with love, says Rahul Gandhi claims Modi, Shah 'have destroyed future'
Amid the ongoing fury over the Citizenship Amendment Act, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and said, "Dear youth of India, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have destroyed your future. We can only defeat them by responding with love towards every Indian."
Never asked anyone their religion when implementing schemes, says Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi slammed Opposition parties over Citizenship Amendment Act on Sunday. "I challenge the Opposition to inspect my work. We benefited the poor through Ujjwala Yojna." he said. He further asked Opposition parties if he ever asked their faiths. "I want to ask the opposition, why are you misleading people," he questioned.
"Did we ask you your faith. Did we ask any evidence. Every faith got benefits from the government. We are dedicated to the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas''", he said. He also stated that: "We have never asked anyone if he goes to temple or mosque when it comes to implementing our schemes."
He further questioned Opposition parties saying, "I want to ask them, when we authroised the unauthrosied colonies, did we ask anyone their religion? Did we ask which political party they support? Did we ask for documents from 1970,1980?".
Hail the Parliament for passing CAA, says Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Sunday during the mega-rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maida. He asked the people present at the rally to "hail Parliament for passing the act". He further stated that CAA will help the marginalised and asked the country to stand up and "show your respect to the lawmakers."
He slammed 'some parties' of spreading lies and fake information about the act. He said that the government was not stripping anyone of its rights.
Curfew lifted in Karnataka's Mangaluru
Curfew clamped in Mangaluru in the aftermath of the violent protests against the Citizenhip Amendment Act on December 19 was lifted on Sunday for 12
hours, as no untoward incident was reported from the city.
Two people were killed in police firing on Thursday as protests against the CAA turned violent. Police said the curfew was lifted from 6 am to 6 pm on Sunday to enable people purchase essential commodities.
No untoward incident has been reported in the city so far, they said. The mobile internet data, which was suspended on Thursday night after the police firing that claimed two lives, was restored Saturday night, police said.
The suspension of internet helped bring down the intensity of the protest and creating any further disturbance in the district as it checked the spread of rumours and fake news, they said.
Kerala chief minister, Opposition leader draw Union Minister's ire
Union Minister of State for External Affairs and Parliamentary Affairs V Muraleedharan on Sunday lashed out at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and state opposition Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala for protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment)Act (CAA) and said taking the protest to the streets is the 'trait of anarchists.'
The arch-political rivals in Kerala Vijayan and Chennithala from the Left and the Congress parties respectively had recently organised a joint protest against the CAA. During the protest, they attacked the BJP-led NDA, RSS and the Sangh Parivar by alleging that the amendment was brought in as part of their agenda to divide people and create a religious state.
"If the Kerala Chief Minister has some difference of opinion against the law passed and signed by the President, there are certain manners in which he can express it. But taking the protest to the streets is the trait of anarchists," Muraleedharan said.
When those who hold constitutional posts itself try to become anarchists who shall the people approach for law and order, he asked.
'We have housed 40 lakh people': Narendra Modi on Delhi's' unauthorised colonies
Narendra Modi laid stress on the fact that India's strength is in its diversity. He stated that the BJP government housed over 40 lakh people in Delhi colonies. "Over 1700 colonies have been demarcated." he said.
In a statement, senior BJP leader Vijay Goel said preparations for the 'dhanyawad rally', which is being organised to thank Modi for giving ownership rights to 40 lakh residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies, are in full swing. A total of 11 lakh signatures by residents of unauthorised colonies will be handed over to the prime minister as a thank you gesture, he said.
The BJP has majorly focused on unauthorised colonies in this rally because this will become a big issue in upcoming Delhi elections. A tableau of unauthorised colony has been installed too.
Narendra Modi begins addressing mega rally in Delhi
Narendra Modi kicks off the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Delhi assembly elections by addressing a mega rally at Ramlila Maidan by raising slogan of 'vividhta me ekta, Bharat ki visheshta' (Unity in diversity is India's speciality) on Sunday.
Akhilesh Yadav claims economy 'virtually destroyed', CAA brought in to divert attention
Meanwhile, on the other side, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav criticised the ruling BJP on Sunday, alleging that the new citizenship law has been brought in to "divert the attention" from the "virtually destroyed" economy and rising unemployment.
Addressing a press conference here, Yadav said people were made to stand in line to withdraw cash during the demonetisation exercise and now they will have to stand in queue for their rights due to National Register of Citizens.
"The economy is in dire straits, has been virtually destroyed, unemployment is at an all-time high. To divert the attention from these issues, CAA was enacted," he told reporters.
Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh can go to Islamic countries, says Nitin Gadkari at rally
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said here on Sunday that Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh have the option to go to as many as 150 Islamic countries in the world while persecuted minorities in three neighbouring countries have nowhere to go except India to take recluse. He was addressing a rally in support of Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019 here in Nagpur on Sunday.
"The Muslims who come from these three countries are not called refugees while the Hindus, Jain, Parsis, Sikh, Christians etc are called refugees," said Nitin Gadkari.
"There are 100 to 150 countries that are Islamic if Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh want to leave their country they can go to as many as 150 countries. But the Hindus, Sikhs, Jain, Parsi, Christian have nowhere to go except India," said Nitin Gadkari.
He said that Hindus and other religious minorities have to face persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afganistan and have nowhere to go except India.
"Where they will go except India?" said Gadkari. "They are faced with numerous atrocities, murder, rapes and loot of their property. There are forceful conversions," he added.
People march in South Delhi in support of Jamia students, those facing police action
Scores of people took out a march in South Delhi on Sunday in support of Jamia Millia Islamia students and those facing police action for violent protest against the new citizenship law.
Holding placards, people shouted 'Inquilab Zindabad' and demanded scrapping of the contentious law during the march in Alaknanda area. A group of Jamia students also participated in the protest.
One of the placards read 'Hum kagaz nahi dikhayenge (We will not show documents), reject CAA, NRC', and another said, 'I stand with Jamia'.
The national capital has been witnessing a number of protests, some of them violent, against the law for a week. On Friday, angry protesters set a car on fire, damaged several vehicles and resorted to stone-pelting near Delhi Gate after police baton-charged them and used water cannon to disperse the crowd.
CAA, NRC India's internal issues, but 'worrisome' that uncertainty could affect neighbours, says Bangladesh FM
The CAA and the NRC are India's "internal issues", Bangladesh Foreign Minister A K Abdul Momen has said, but voiced concern that any "uncertainty" in the country is likely to affect its neighbours. Amid raging protests over the controversial citizenship law across India, Momen hoped that the situation "cools down" and the neighbouring country "can get out of it".
"The CAB (now Citizenship Amendment Act) and the NRC (National Register of Citizens) are internal issues of India. Indian government assured us again and again that these are their domestic issues, they are doing it because of legal and other reasons," Momen told PTI here when asked about the CAA and the protests against it, especially in the northeastern states.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi while talking to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina had assured that under no circumstances it will affect Bangladesh, Momen said. The minister asserted that his country trusts India.
Thousands gather at Ramilila Maidan in Delhi for Modi's rally
Thousands of people have gathered at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi for Narendra Modi's mega rally that marks the beginning of BJP's campaign for the Delhi Assembly elections.Modi is expected to bring up the CAA issue in his speech, given the widespread protests against the amended Citizenship Act across the capital and the country.
According to Times of India, BJP has claimed that an estimated two lakh attendees from across the north India are coming to the event aboard 3,000 buses
List of 17 UP cities where internet has been shut down
Here is the list of 17 cities in Uttar Pradesh where internet services have been shutdown according to India Today reports.
879 arrested, 5000 'bound down', 135 cases registered, 15 dead, claims UP DGP OP Singh
As many as 879 people have been arrested while 5000 were 'bound down' as a preventive measure in Uttar Pradesh, in the wake of the violent protests against Citizenship (Amendment) Act and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). "Adequate police arrangements have been made in all districts in the wake of protests. Police, Paramilitary, Rapid Action Force (RAF), PAC, Quick Reaction Team (QRTs) are patrolling the areas," said OP Singh, Director General of Police (DGP), UP.
"Till now, 879 people have been arrested under substantive offences while 5000 persons who may instigate violence or vitiate atmosphere are bound down on the basis of suspicion," he added. "A total of 135 criminal cases have been registered against the miscreants. Fifteen people have died while 288 police personnel are injured," said the top cop.
He said that police officials and civil administration are reaching out to community members and their leaders, requesting them to cooperate in maintaining law and order. "Intelligence machinery is geared up and officials are reaching to community members requesting them to cooperate in marinating law and order," he said.
Singh also said that damage to public property is being assessed and soon action would be taken against those involved, including confiscation of their properties to compensate for the losses.
Curfew lifted in Shillong
Curfew was on Sunday morning lifted in Shillong, as no report of violence or arson over the amended citizenship Act was reported from any part of the city, officials said.
Curfew was imposed on areas under Sadar and Lumdiengjri police stations in the city since 12 December as anti-citizenship law protests turned violent, leaving several injured and properties vandalised.
Over the past few days, prohibitory orders were elaxed during the day, but night curfew was still in force to avoid breakdown of law and order. East Khasi Hills district magistrate MW Nongbri said the curfew was completely lifted from 4 am on Sunday.
Mobile Internet and messaging services, which were withdrawn as a precautionary measure to prevent circulation of fake news, were also restored on Friday night.
-PTI
UP Police denies permission for TMC leaders' Lucknow visit
Uttar Pradesh's DGP, OP Singh on Sunday denied permission to a four members delegation of All India Trinamool Congress from visiting Lucknow today. He told ANI, "We have come to know that some political leaders of TMC want to visit here (Lucknow). We will not permit them for the same as section 144 is imposed in the area and it can make the atmosphere more tense."
A four-member delegation of All India Trinamool Congress was expected to be visiting Lucknow on Sunday to meet the grieving families of those who were killed in police firing. The delegation which is expected to reach Lucknow on 22 December would be led by Dinesh Trivedi.
The other members include MPs, Pratima Mondal, Md Nadimul Haque and Abir Biswas. "Our delegation is going to Uttar Pradesh (Lucknow) on a humanitarian mission to be with the grieving families of those killed and also meet those injured in the incidents," read the statement.
FIR filed against Congress leader UT Khader in Mangaluru
An FIR has been filed against Congress leader UT Khader at Pandeshwar police station in Mangaluru on the complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha leader Sandesh Kumar who alleged that Khader delivered a provocative speech that incited violence at a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act on 18 December.
On 17 December, the Congress MLA Khader warned Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa over implementing CAA in the state and had said, "Country is in flames but Karnataka is an island of peace. I am warning Karnataka Chief Minister that if you implement Citizenship Act here then I swear Karnataka will be blown up into cinders."
On 20 December chief minister BS Yediyurappa held a meeting with senior police officers to discuss the law and order situation in the state.
-ANI
BJP, Jamait ulema-e-Hind to take out rallies Kolkata
The situation in West Bengal was peaceful on Sunday morning, with no incidents of violence reported from any part of the state, police said. According to sources, police administration has increased vigil and beefed-up arrangements in trouble-torn areas to maintain law and order.
The Bengal unit of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind is scheduled to take out a rally from Rani Rashmomi road in the afternoon. Police have increased stepped up security to avoid any untoward incident.
The state BJP unit is also set to conduct rallies and marches in various parts of the state in support of the citizenship law.
JDU demands NDA meet over proposed countrywide NRC
Janata Dal-United (JD-U) on Saturday called upon its ally BJP to convene a meeting of ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) over the proposal to have a countrywide National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Speaking to ANI, JDU spokesperson KC Tyagi said that several NDA parties have expressed their views against the NRC. "If a meeting of the NDA is called, the JD-U will welcome it. Given the conditions in the nation (over the anti-CAA protests), the meeting is very important," Tyagi said.
He said Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has made it clear that it will not be implemented in the state. "We are against NRC," he said. Another BJP ally Lok Janshakti Party has asked the government to reach out to people to allay fears over the NRC.
Asaduddin Owaisi reads out Preamble during Saturday's mass rally
AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi on late Saturday night appealed to all Indians, who are against NRC and CAA to hoist the national flag on their homes from Sunday which will send out a message against the “fascist forces” and that it is the house of someone who loved his country.
Reading out the Preamble of the Constitution, he made the participants repeat it and asked them to not resort to any kind of violence. The meeting, attended by thousands of people, began with the national anthem and concluded with Owasi's speech after midnight.
A number of speakers, including students Aysha Renna and Labeeda Farzana, who are being described as the face of anti-CAA protests, and Aman Wadud, a human rights lawyer from Assam, spoke at the meeting.
The fight against CAA and NRC would be a long-drawn campaign as “Narendra Modi and Amit Shah are not routine politicians”, he said. The campaign against them can succeed only through political and democratic activity, he said.
The fight is not over with just one meeting and the same momentum has to be kept alive for at least six-seven months, he felt. He stressed on ensuring that the agitation remains non-violent for it to achieve its goal.
Section 144 lifted from Bengaluru; pro-CAA rally begins from Town Hall
Amid protests across India against the amended Citizenship Act, a group of social activists and citizens on Sunday organised a pro-CAA rally in Bengaluru after prohibitory orders have been lifted. The rally, “India Supports CAA”, will take place in Sir Puttana Chetty Town Hall from 10 am, organisers said.
“There has been a lot of misinformation spread on social media and otherwise about the new Citizenship law while not many have come forward to discuss facts and truths regarding the same till now,” Neeraj Kamath, a social activist and one of the rally organisers told The Indian Express.
Foreign tourists anxious, Indians prefer overseas destinations amid Citizenship law stir
As protests against the amended Citizenship Act continue to rage in parts of the country, tourism industry has taken a hit this holiday season, with several nations deeming India as an unsafe travel destination.
Stakeholders of the country's tourism industry maintained that many domestic tourists were also looking to spend their winter vacations abroad, in view of the law-and-order situation. "We have been getting apprehensive calls from overseas tourists who wanted to know about the ground situation in the country, having read media reports. There had been no major cancellations or rescheduling as of now," Jyoti Mayal, the president of Travel Agents Association of India, told PTI.
If the unrest continues, however, cancellations are bound to happen, she claimed. Over the past few days, countries such as the US, the UK, Canada, UAE and Australia among others have issued advisories, asking travellers to India, especially to the northeast, to be on guard or reconsider plans.
The industry, which had not seen a significant rise in the number of visitors earlier this year, is skeptical that the ongoing protests would hit harder. According to data, foreign tourist footfall in the first half (H1) of 2019 showed a marginal growth at 52.66 lakh, 2.2 per cent more than the corresponding period in 2018.
Government forex earning (fees) grew by 3.3 percent to USD 14.11 billion in H1, 2019, when compared to the same period in 2018.
Gurugram traffic police issues advisory on Sirhol toll
Gurugram police on Saturday had put out a traffic advisory stating that restrictions will be imposed on NH48 on Sirhol toll and Kapashera from 8:00 am to 2:00 pm on Sunday.
Internet services suspended in Prayagraj, Lucknow
Internet services have been suspended in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district till midnight tomorrow, ANI reported. This comes shortly after internet services were resumed in Aligarh, which saw a shutdown since 15 December, following violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act.
Meanwhile, internet services will remain suspended in Lucknow till Monday. Internet services in the city were suspended on Thursday night
Hyderabad Police Commissioner says city is home to 'all who have come here'
Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anjani Kumar on Saturday had suspended two police constables on charges of "involving in improper" conduct on social media after one of them allegedly made "vulgar" comments against "two" women participants attending the protest-meeting at AIMIM's headquarters.
He further took to microblogging site Twitter to ask citizens to march ahead of other cities and expressed how the city has been a comfortable home for "all who have come here." In a tweet he said that Hyderabad was the only place which brings together 'all faith, all culture, all religion.' He added, "This is the strength and this is the beauty of Hyderabad."
CAA concerns all Indians, not just Muslims, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi
The fight against the new citizenship law is "not just the issue of Muslims" but concerns all Indians and there should be a sustained struggle against the legislation, AIMIM president Asaduddin Owaisi has claimed.
"Why should I stand in queue and tell that I am an Indian? I have been born in this land. I am a citizen (of India). All 100 crore Indians have to stand in queue (to submit proof of citizenship). This is not just the issue of Muslims but an issue concerning all Indians. I am telling 'Modi-bhakts' also. You also have to stand in queue and bring documents," the Hyderabad MP said late Saturday night.
At a meeting organised by the United Muslim Action Committee, an umbrella body of various Muslim groups at Darussalam, the headquarters of AIMIM in the city, Owaisi asserted that Indian Muslims had chosen to remain India at the time of partition by rejecting "Jinnah's two-nation theory".
Claiming that BJP cited the existence of many Islamic nations, he asked what does he have to do with them. "I am concerned about India and only India and my love is only with India. (You say) so many Islamic countries! You go there. Why are you telling me," he said.
Tight security for Narendra Modi's rally today; CCTV on all routes leading to venue, snipers atop buildings
laborate security arrangements have been made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally on Sunday at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, which is a little over a kilometre away from Old Delhi's Daryaganj that was hit by violence on Friday during the protest against the amended Citizenship Act.
According to a senior police official, 20 companies of outside force will be deployed. Each company has 70-80 personnel. "Twenty DCP rank officials will be there. As many as 1,000 personnel from local police, anti-drone teams and NSG commandos will be there. The entire area around the venue will be sanitised," the official said.
Area sanitisation means that the movement of locals will be restricted, shops will be closed and security personnel will be deployed. Apart from this, traffic police personnel will also be deployed along the route to be taken by the prime minister, the official said.
Recap: CAA guarantees security to each citizen of country, says Yogi Adityanath
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said the amended Citizenship Act guarantees security to each citizen of the country. He also appealed to religious leaders and influential people to come forward and discharge their responsibilities in the wake of the violent protests over the contentious Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA).
"The Citizenship Act ensures guarantee of security to each Indian citizen," Adityanath said in a statement. He said people should not to take law in their hands and not be misguided by anyone. The chief minister also said, "injustice has not been done to anyone in this government".
Internet services remain affected across Uttar Pradesh
Internet services to remain suspended in Meerut till 5 pm on Sunday in view of the recent violence in state during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Internet services have also been suspended in Prayagraj district till Monday, reports ANI.
Internet services restored in Aligarh
According to ANI, internet services have been restored in Aligarh. Services were suspended from 15 December after violence broke out during protests over Citizenship Amendment Act.
Internet services remain suspended in Jaipur
Internet services will remain suspended in the Rajasthan capital from 6 am to 8 pm on Sunday in wake of protest being staged by a community against the Citizen Amendment Act and the protest march being taken out by the ruling Congress, to be led by chief minister Ashok Gehlot.
Police commissioner Anand Shrivastav, in a letter to the Divisional Commissioner, said that the above measure is being taken as a part of security measures being taken to maintain peace and harmony in Jaipur.
Metro services are also to be shut from 8 am to 2 pm on Sunday in light of the protests.
65 arrested, 350 booked for violence over CAA in Ghaziabad
Sixty-five people were arrested and 350, including a former legislator, booked here for allegedly spreading violence over the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), police said on Saturday. A special drive has been launched to nab miscreants resorting to violence and pelting stones on police during protests, they said.
More than 65 people have been arrested and FIRs registered against 350 anti-social elements, Senior Superintendent of Police Sudhir Kumar Singh told PTI. An FIR has been also lodged against former Loni MLA Zakir Ali, he added. Singh said miscreants have been identified and will be arrested soon.
Narendra Modi to address rally in Delhi amid CAA protests
Elaborate security arrangements have been made for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's rally on Sunday at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, which is a little over a kilometre away from Old Delhi's Daryaganj that was hit by violence on Friday during a protest against the amended Citizenship Act.
According to sources, senior officials remained in huddle till 5 am on Saturday to discuss the security arrangements. A multilevel security arrangement will be in place on Sunday, with CCTV surveillance of all the routes leading to the venue and snipers being positioned atop buildings to ensure security, they said.
The Delhi Police are in touch with the Special Protection Group (SPG) and the Bharatiya Janata Party for the security arrangements during the programme. The Delhi BJP has also deployed volunteers as part of its security arrangements for the rally.
In a statement, senior BJP leader Vijay Goel said preparations for the rally, which is being organised to thank PM Modi for giving ownership rights to 40 lakh residents of 1731 unauthorised colonies, are in full swing.
Sonia Gandhi to lead Congress in silent protest against CAA at Rajghat tomorrow
Amid nationwide agitations against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, the Congress, led by party chief Sonia Gandhi, has decided to stage a silent protest at Rajghat on Monday afternoon demanding protection for the Constitution and the rights of people as enshrined in it.
The decision to hold the silent protest was taken at a meeting of top party leaders at Sonia Gandhi's residence here on Saturday evening, sources said.
The leaders initially decided to hold the protest at Rajghat -- a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi -- on Sunday but later postponed it to Monday as permissions for the same were yet to be obtained from the authorities, the sources added.
Jamia submits report to HRD Ministry, requests judicial enquiry into police action
The Jamia Millia Islamia has submitted a fresh report to the HRD Ministry requesting judicial inquiry into the entry of police on the university premises last Sunday. The varsity had earlier submitted reports in the matter on 15 and 16 December.
In the fresh report submitted to the ministry on December 20, Jamia reiterated its request for initiation of an inquiry committee or a judicial inquiry to the incident. In its report, the varsity mentioned that police used teargas and lathicharge to disperse protesters gathered on Mathura Road and Julena Road.
The protesters while retreating took Maulana Mohd. Ali Jauhar Marg, which passes through the university campus, the varsity said in its report submitted by the registrar of Jamia.
The police had on 15 December purportedly stormed the library while looking for 'outsiders' who were involved in the arson and violence during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protest outside the campus.
Recap: One dead in UP as violence erupts in Rampur, Kanpur; tolls climbs to 16
One person died as clashes broke out during protests against the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh on Saturday, taking the toll in the state from Thursday to 16.
One person died and several people were injured in clashes between anti-CAA protesters, who pelted stones and indulged in arson, and police in Rampur in UP, officials said. Protesters set ablaze Yatimkhana police post in Kanpur and indulged in heavy brick-batting, leading to injuries to many people including policemen, a senior official said. Police used cane-charge and tear gas to chase them away.
Police reached out to people in several areas as part of confidence-building measure
As Delhi witnessed a number of violent protests against the amended Citizenship Act in the recent days, the Delhi Police on Saturday launched an exercise to reach out to more people in several areas as part of its confidence-building measures.
According to an official, groups of police personnel went to Seemapuri, Geeta Colony, Jagatpuri, Krishna Nagar, Gandhi Nagar and other places and thanked people for maintaining peace in these areas.
In a video of such exercise held in East Delhi's Geeta Colony, a police official was seen thanking people on a mic standing in a busy street. "Delhi Police thanks all the residents of the Geeta Colony police station area for maintaining peace. We are thankful to you for cooperating with us," the official said.
"We appeal to the residents to maintain peace and solidarity in the future as well. We are assured of it that the people of Geeta Colony will remain helpful and assist us in such law and order situation. We thankyou again for your cooperation," he added. Police said that such exercise will be conducted in more areas in the coming days.
LIVE NEWS and UPDATES
21:44 (IST)
Madras HC holds special sitting on plea seeking to ban protest tomorrow
The Madras High Court is holding a special sitting to hear a plea seeking to restrain DMK and its allies from holding a rally in Chennai tomorrow against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
The Tamil Nadu government has told the court that it has rejected permission for the rally.
21:35 (IST)
PM contradicting home minister, says Mamata Banerjee
Mamata Banerjee, who was recently criticised for her reported statement saying that there should be a "referendum" on the NRC and CAA has slammed Narendra Modi and Amit Shah for "contradictions" in their statements.
Banerjee has claimed that she only sought an "opinion poll" and not a referendum.
21:28 (IST)
Gujarat BJP to hold events to remove 'misconceptions' about CAA
21:18 (IST)
TM Krishna slams Centre on NRC
The classical vocalist has been critical of the Narendra Modi-led government in the past.
21:15 (IST)
Cong, JDS leaders trying to mislead people on CAA-NRC: Yediyurappa
Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Sunday charged the opposition Congress and JDS leaders with trying to mislead the minorities by making false claims and whipping up their emotions over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Citizen of Register (NRC).
"There are misconceptions about the two (CAA and NRC) and oppositionleaders, including Siddaramaiah (Congress) and HD Kumaraswamy (JDS) are trying to mislead the people. They are trying to whip up the emotions of theinnocent minorities," he said.
PTI
21:02 (IST)
Congress' Jairam Ramesh slams Modi, Shah for 'good cop-bad cop routine'
20:59 (IST)
PM's assurance on NRC sounds hollow, says Pinarayi Vijayan
20:35 (IST)
Congress kicks off 800-km long 'Padyatra' in Assam to protest against CAA
20:29 (IST)
Sitaram Yechury joins protesters as peaceful agitation outside Jamia enters 7th day
20:23 (IST)
20:19 (IST)
Visited detention centre in Assam last month, says Prashant Bhushan
Refuting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims that no detention centre is being built in th country, Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan tweeted that he visited a under construction detention centre in assam last month, along with a picture.
19:56 (IST)
Doctors travelling to anti-CAA protest sites to give medical attention to protesters
19:42 (IST)
'Don't let Modi, Shah divide India,' says Rahul Gandhi
19:30 (IST)
48 arrested, 262 booked over violence in Muzaffarnagar
19:21 (IST)
Protests continue in Delhi amid tight security arrangements
A number of protests against the amended Citizenship Act were held in Delhi even as police maintained a strict vigil. Although the Delh Police made elaborate arrangements to ensure that there was no protest around the Ramila Ground where Prime Minister Modi addressed rally, areas like Jantar Mantar, Jamia Millia, Nizammudin, and Connaught Place witnessed multiple peaceful demonstrations. A large number of people alos took out a 'solidarity march' in South Delhi in support of Jamia Millia Islamia students and those facing police action during protests against the contentious law.
19:13 (IST)
Marches for and against CAA-NRC held in several areas of Mumbai
19:04 (IST)
Prime minister's speech contradicts Amit Shah: Mamata Banerjee
In response to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's speech at the Ramlila Maidan in Delhi, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee tweeted: "Whatever I said is there in public forum, whatever you said is there for people to judge. With the prime minister contradicting the home minister publicly on nationwide NRC, who is dividing fundamental idea of India?"
18:47 (IST)
Mira Nair tweets in support Sadaf Jafar, lone woman protester arrested in Lucknow
Filmmaker Mira Nair was among those who took to Twitter in support of Sadaf Jafar, the lone woman protester arrested in Lucknow on 19 December.
Sadaf Jafar, a former school teacher,was the lone woman among 200 protesters arrested in Lucknow on 9 December in the aftermath of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (2019). She is reportedly lodged in a Lucknow jail and has sustained internal injuries.
18:33 (IST)
BJP questions Rahul's 'silence' on vandalism
BJP working president JP Nadda at an event in Indore questionned Rahul Gandhi's "limited knowledge" about the new citizenship law and dared him to speak "even ten lines" on its provisions.
18:22 (IST)
UPSSSC exams postponed amid internet shutdown in parts of UP
18:13 (IST)
Hundreds join protests at Delhi's Nizadmuddin
Hundreds gathered at the Musafir Khana Park in Nizamuddin Basti on Sunday to hear what could be the impact of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC).
Senior advocate Sanjay Hedge told the people that "all of us fighting this battle (against the legislation) are warriors of the Constitution". Amid heavy police deployment who stood outside the location of the meeting, Hedge said "we oppose this legislation not as a Hindu or Muslim but as an Indian".
18:00 (IST)
Rampur admin taking steps to attach proeprtiesof 25 people involved in vandalism during anti-CAA protests, says district magistrate
The Rampur district administration is taking steps to attach properties of 25 people, identified as ones vandalising public properties during violent protests against changes in the citizenship law, Rampur District Magistrate Aunjaneya Singh told PTI.
"We have procured CCTV footage and identified so far 25 people involved in the violence. FIRs are being registered and the process has begun to attach their properties and further actions as needed," said Singh.
17:56 (IST)
Congress hits back at prime minister, says detention centres are 'extremely real'
Responding to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's claims that no detention centre have been built yet, the Congress on Sunday tweeted images of news headlines related to detention centres in Mumbai and Assam.
"Does PM Modi believe Indians can't do a simple google search to fact check his lies? Detention Centres are extremely real and will continue to grow as long as this govt is in power," the party posted on its official Twitter handle.
17:25 (IST)
Ashok Gehlot leads 'Samvidhan Bachao Rally' in Jaipur
17:11 (IST)
Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa writes to President seeking expansion of CAA to include Ahmadiyyas
Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Partap Singh Bajwa has written to the President, urging him to have the ambit of new citizenship law expanded to include in it Ahmadiyya community too, facing persecution in Pakistan.
17:05 (IST)
Internal inquiry into violence necessary, says AMU V-C
16:55 (IST)
Priyanka Gandhi visits Bijnor, meet kin of two killed in anti-CAA protests
16:52 (IST)
Karnataka govt announces Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia kin of 2 killed during protests in Mangaluru
"I have directed the Deputy Commissioner (of Dakshina Kannada district) to give Rs 10 lakh each to the two families. The amount will be paid to them today," PTI quoted Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa as saying, following his visit to Managluru.
The chief minister said he would order an inquiry into the incident after holding discussions with state Home Minister Basvaraj Bommai on the modalities of the probe. Yediyurappa said the inquiry would be apolitical.
16:46 (IST)
Congress slams BJP, says Home Minister's statement in Parliament responsible for creating fear and uncertainty
Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma, in response to Prime MInister Narendra Modi's speech, claimed that the Opposition had not raised the issue of the NRC "vacuum".
"The Home Minister's statement in both the Houses are in the public domain. They have to be then duly clarified. Those statements have created an environment of fear, insecurity and uncertainty in the country. It is primarily the governemnt which is responsible for that," he said.
16:31 (IST)
Devendra Fadnavis participates in pro-CAA rally in Nagpur, says CAA not against any caste or religion
Former Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis participated in a pro-CAA rally in Nagpur on Sunday and accussed political parties of "misleading people" and "creating unrest in the country".
"People are supporting the amended citizenship law in huge numbers. The Act is in the interest of the country and it is not against any communityor religion," Fadnavis said.
16:25 (IST)
Islamic outfits, CPM hold protests in Chennai
Around 500 members of Islamic outfits and scores of CPM activists staged demonstrations in Chennai on Sunday. While members of the Islamic outfits, including women, staged a protest holding placards in Chepauk, CPI(M) cadres distributed pamphlets in Thousand Lights area. Hindu Makkal Katchi RPT Makkal Katchi workers, led by their leader Arjun Sampath staged a demonstration, holding placards and party flags, at Vallurvarkotam area. Protests were also held in Theni by members of some Islamic organisations.
PTI
16:18 (IST)
AMU students, staff demand new V-C, registrar
Students and staff of the Aligarh Muslim University have expelled the incumbent Vice Chancellor Prof. Tariq Mansoor and Registrar S. Abdul Hamid, says a notice issued by the Office of Students, AMU.
The notice, dated 22 December, 2019, asks the V-C, Registrar to vacate their respective lodges till 5 january, 2020 and says that the students, tecahing and non-teaching staff shall boycott the administration untill the notice is complied with.
16:11 (IST)
Won't implement NRC, CAA in Rajasthan, says Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday addresed a rally against the new citizenship law in Jaipur and said that the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) will not be implemented in Rajasthan.
Mobile internet services have been suspended in Jaipur till 8 pm as a precautionary measure.
15:48 (IST)
Toll in Meerut violence rises to five
The death toll in the violence that occurred during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut two days ago rose to five, a senior police official said on Sunday.
The deceased have been identified as Mohsin, Aasif, Zahir, Aalim, all residents of Meerut, and Asif from Delhi, Inspector General Alok Singh said. During the protests on Friday, protesters had torched vehicles and pelted stones at police, who used lathi charge and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse mobs.
Thirty-five policemen were also injured in Friday's violence. They are undergoing treatment at different hospitals in the city, Singh said. Police have arrested 102 people in connection with the violence and efforts are on to nab the other suspects, he added.
Singh said internet services have been shut down for now and social media is being continuously monitored for inflammatory posts. To maintain law and order, peace committees have been constituted under police stations and local residents have also been roped in, he said.
15:44 (IST)
Prohibitory order imposed for two months in Manipur's Imphal West district
The Manipur government has imposed a prohibitory order on Imphal West district for two months in view of the continued protests against the new citizenship law, an official said on Sunday.
The prohibitory order under Section 144 CrPC was clamped on Imphal West on Saturday from 5.30 pm, said a statement issued by the office of District Magistrate Naorem Praveen. "Assembly of five or more persons which is likely to turn unlawful is prohibited," it said.
The order also stated that "carrying of sticks, stones, firearms without a valid licence, weapons or objects of any description" which can be used for offensive activities is not allowed. "There is a likelihood of serious breach of peace and disturbance to public tranquility and grave danger to human lives and properties in the entire district on account of unlawful activities of some anti-social elements," the order said.
15:40 (IST)
TMC delegation 'detained' at Lucknow airport, says party MP
A four-member TMC delegation, which was scheduled to meet the grieving families of those killed in Uttar Pradesh during protests over the new citizenship law, was "detained" at Lucknow airport on Sunday afternoon, party sources claimed.
TMC Rajya Sabha MP Md Nadimul Haque, who is part of the delegation, said he and other party memebers were staging a sit-in near a hanger at the airport. "We have been detained at Lucknow airport. As soon as we got down from the aircraft, we were surrounded by the police and were taken by the police to a secluded spot on the runway. We are staging a dharna near a hanger," Haque told PTI over phone from Lucknow.
The delegation, led by party's former MP Dinesh Trivedi also includes parliamentarian Pratima Mondal and Abir Biswas.
15:35 (IST)
UP Deputy chief minister alleges 'outsiders' role in violence during anti-CAA protests
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma on Sunday alleged "outsiders' role" in the incidents of violence reported from various districts of the state where protests took place against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
He pointed out that six persons hailing from West Bengal's Malda district, associated with the PFI, had been arrested by the state police. Speaking to reporters, Sharma said, "There is involvement of Popular Front of India (PFI). They have connection with SIMI. Six persons from Malda have been arrested." Students Islamic Movement of India or SIMI is a banned terror outfit.
He added, "The state government is capable of handling the situation effectively to ensure peace. We have spoken to Muslim clerics."
"As many as 288 cops have sustained injuries, of which 62 are due to firearms. About 500 empty cartridges of prohibited bore (bullets) have been found. This indicates that the protestors were using illegal weapons."
Sharma also said that the arrested persons have to pay for the damage as per Supreme Court orders. So far, 705 persons have been arrested in connection with the violence.
15:33 (IST)
People from NE hold protests at Jantar Mantar
People from the north-east gathered at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Sunday, claiming that the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) were given a Hindu-Muslim colour and the voices from the region fighting for the rights of indigenous people ignored.
The protesters, including students and civil society members, said they were deeply hurt and distressed by the police "brutality" on those against the CAA, but "our protest is about our rights".
"We will not let others hijack our agenda. We are here to speak about our people. You cannot always ask one to take more people," Tripura's royal scion Pradyot Deb Barman, who is also present there, said.
"We respect their protest. We sympathise with the students of Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University. It does not matter if you are a Hindu or a Muslim, the CAA is going to trigger a massive demographic change in the north-east," a protester said.
"I am sure if Muslims are included in the list of communities to be granted citizenship through CAA, they will not protest. But we will protest anyway," she added.
15:31 (IST)
NH-48 restrictions: Vistara to accommodate its affected passengers free of cost
As the Delhi Police put restrictions on traffic movement on NH-48 between 8 am to 2 pm on Sunday, Vistara airline announced that it will accommodate its affected passengers on next available flights without any charge.
"Following the advisory issued by Delhi Police about traffic restrictions on NH-48 until 1400 hours today, Vistara will accommodate affected passengers booked on flights departing and arriving into Delhi up to 1600 hours, on the next available Vistara flights to their destination without any change fees (subject to seat availability)," the airline said in a statement.
"Furthermore, due to the ongoing situation in Lucknow, Vistara also announces free change to bookings and cancellation without any penalty for those booked to travel to and from Lucknow. Fare difference, if any, will be applicable," it added.
15:18 (IST)
People who hold the tri-colour flag, raise your voice against Pakistan, urges Modi
Narendra Modi urged people who hold the "tri-color" to raise their voices against the violent protesters and call to bring peace. "I want to call upon the people who hold the tri-color to raise their voices against Pakistan-sponsored cross-border terrorism." he added.
15:13 (IST)
Modi blames Mamata Banerjee for vote-bank politics, spreading rumours
Narendra Modi blamed West Bengal government for taking part in 'vote-bank policitcs'. He said, "Now there is Mamata didi. She earlier wanted the government to help Hindu refugees from Bangladesh. What has happened to you now? Once the Army was doing a regular drill in Bengal. Didi claimed Modi's Sena had invaded Bengal. Even Prakash Karat had said those fleeing Bangladesh due to religious persecution should be helped. Their sympathy that time was a lie. All these people are capable of is vote-bank politics."
15:08 (IST)
Narendra Modi alleges Opposition of 'vote-bank politics'
Narendra Modi on Sunday alleged that the entire Left front, which is left in "small pockets in the country, is opposing this as well." He said "Prakash Karat, their senior leader, had also asked for support for religiously persecuted people coming from Bangladesh.
"These people have always done vote-bank politics. Everything ever said by them was a lie," he alleged. He attacked Opposition for agitating people for "their votes, spreading violence, and are spreading false rumours."
15:04 (IST)
No rules framed about NRC yet, says Modi
"CAA will not affect any Indian citizen, be it Hindu or Muslim. There have been multiple rumours about NRC too. NRC was implemented in Assam after the Supreme Court order. There are no rules that have been framed, it has not been introduced in Parliament. While we are giving you your right with the unauthorized colonies bill, will we then try and snatch your right?" Modi said on Sunday.
15:00 (IST)
Citizenship law, NRC have nothing to do with Indian Muslims, states Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday accused his rivals of stoking fears among people and misleading Muslims over the amended citizenship law, and asserted that his government's schemes have never done any discrimination on the basis of religion.
Addressing a rally at Ramlila Maidan here, he said the citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens have nothing to do with Indian Muslims. A lie is being spread that this government had brought the law to snatch people's rights, the prime minister said and dared rivals to find anything discriminatory in his work.
Unable to challenge him in elections, Modi asserted, his rivals have resorted to dividing the country through rumours. Without naming the rival parties, he said people were incited by those in high positions, who shared fake videos.
14:52 (IST)
Minorities are forced to convert in Pakistan alleges Narendra Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi denied all rumours about the Citizenship Amendment Act which state that the Act was for those Indians who are tortured in Pakistan and are forcibly converted there. "These people have come to India only due to such religious persecution," he said.
14:46 (IST)
Respond with love, says Rahul Gandhi claims Modi, Shah 'have destroyed future'
Amid the ongoing fury over the Citizenship Amendment Act, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi took to Twitter and said, "Dear youth of India, Narendra Modi and Amit Shah have destroyed your future. We can only defeat them by responding with love towards every Indian."
14:43 (IST)
Narendra Modi slams protesters for 'brutally thrashing' police forces
Narendra Modi recalled the 33,000 police personnel who had sacrificed their lives for peace and security for the country, since independence. He slammed CAA protesters saying, "Today, you are brutally thrashing them. When any problem arises, police don't ask your religion or caste, whatever the weather or time they are there to help you."
He further reiterated that CAA will not affect any Indian citizen, be it Hindu or Muslim. "There have been multiple rumours about NRC too. NRC was implemented in Assam after the Supreme Court order. There are no rules that have been framed, it has not been introduced in Parliament. While we are giving you your right with the unauthorized colonies bill, will we then try and snatch your right?"
14:27 (IST)
'Burn my effigy but don't target the poor': Narendra Modi appeals to his 'rivals'
"Few Opposition parties are going to an extreme for their own benefit. They are spreading all kinds of rumours, misleading people and stoking their emotions against citizenship law." Narendra Modi during the mega rally in Delhi.
Narendra Modi accused rivals of creating fear and chaos, and trying to defame India abroad. He further appeals to his anti-CAA protestors saying they "should burn my effigy if they hate me but they should not target the poor."
He further alleged that Muslims were being misled, and said "I have always ensured that documents will never come in way of development schemes and their beneficiaries."
14:18 (IST)
Never asked anyone their religion when implementing schemes, says Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi slammed Opposition parties over Citizenship Amendment Act on Sunday. "I challenge the Opposition to inspect my work. We benefited the poor through Ujjwala Yojna." he said. He further asked Opposition parties if he ever asked their faiths. "I want to ask the opposition, why are you misleading people," he questioned.
"Did we ask you your faith. Did we ask any evidence. Every faith got benefits from the government. We are dedicated to the mantra of 'Sabka Sath Sabka Vikas''", he said. He also stated that: "We have never asked anyone if he goes to temple or mosque when it comes to implementing our schemes."
He further questioned Opposition parties saying, "I want to ask them, when we authroised the unauthrosied colonies, did we ask anyone their religion? Did we ask which political party they support? Did we ask for documents from 1970,1980?".
14:11 (IST)
Hail the Parliament for passing CAA, says Narendra Modi
Narendra Modi finally broke his silence on the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) on Sunday during the mega-rally in Delhi's Ramlila Maida. He asked the people present at the rally to "hail Parliament for passing the act". He further stated that CAA will help the marginalised and asked the country to stand up and "show your respect to the lawmakers."
He slammed 'some parties' of spreading lies and fake information about the act. He said that the government was not stripping anyone of its rights.