Citizenship law protests continue for second day, violence erupts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh

For over a week now, several regions of India have been convulsed by massive protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Starting in the Northeast, especially Assam, the protests soon spread to the national capital and other major cities, drawing students, activists, political leaders, and ordinary students. In Assam, the protests were met with a violent crackdown by government forces, leaving at least five people dead. Protests by students at Jamia Millia Islamia University in Delhi and Aligarh Muslim University in Uttar Pradesh invited similar brutality.

The police violence against the students, relayed on social media in near real time, only served to fuel public outrage, and sparked more protests. 

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On Thursday, in response to calls by political parties and civil society groups for protests against the citizenship law and the violence against students, people across the country took to the streets in large numbers. While the protests passed off peacefully at most places, three people were reportedly killed in police firing on protesters in Mangaluru, Karnataka, and one in Lucknow.

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Today, for the second straight day, people have come out to demonstrate in several places, including the national capital.

Here are the latest updates.

11:48 pm

 Photo by Ayush Tiwari

Protesters gathered outside Delhi Police Headquarters, chanting slogans of Azadi.

11:30 pm

 Photo by Ayush Tiwari

There are 32 adults and eight minors detained at the Daryaganj Police station. One lawyer was allowed to meet them. The police announced the name of minors who had been detained. Those whose parents are waiting outside the police station have been released.

11:00 pm

Magsaysay Award winners from India released a statement condemning the amended citizenship law, calling it “clearly divisive.” “Students in their thousands are out on the streets – from all accounts with no political party affiliations or pressure,” the statement said.  The nine signatories urged the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to kindly review the situation in all seriousness and protect the interests of peace, harmony and the well being of the people of India as well as those desiring to live in the country without any discrimination, according to the time-honoured tradition of India which was mentioned by Swami Vivekanand in his famous speech at Chicago.

10:00 pm

9:50 pm

8:50 pm

Close to thirty-two people, including a 14-year-old, have allegedly been detained at Daryaganj Police Station.

8:3o pm

7:33 pm

Congress leader Salman Khursheed seen at the protest in India Gate. Here’s what he said.

7:31 pm

6:40 pm

Glimpses of the protest outside Jamia Milia Islamia University today

Reports of vehicles being burnt at Daryaganj and Delhi Gate. Police lathicharge protestors in Daryaganj.

6:02 pm

Heavy police deployment across Delhi as protests break out in several areas across the national capital. Thirteen metro stations closed. Police is reportedly using drones to monitor the protests. Police using water cannons in Delhi Gate since protestors refused to leave the site despite several requests.

4:02 pm
As violent protests break out across Uttar Pradesh in spite of the imposition of Sec 144, UP Minister Shrikant Sharma says protestors are being brainwashed. The situation is tense in Hapur whereas reports of more than 150 people being arrested are coming in from the capital, Lucknow. Internet services too have been restricted in many parts of the state including Lucknow.

3:55 pm
Students continue their protests at Jamia Milia Islamia University. Here are the latest visuals sent by our Campus Politik reporter, Ismat Ara.

3.45 pm

The Twitter handle of BJP Karnataka went after historian Ramachandra Guha, who was detained during the protests yesterday, saying “#UrbanNaxals who operate in a Dark World are completely unknown to the Common Man”.

3.20 pm

Section 144 imposed across Uttar Pradesh. Protesters and police clash in Gorakhpur, CM Yogi Adityanath’s constituency. Yesterday, he said his government would take “revenge” on those involved in the violence over the amended Citizenship Act by auctioning their property to compensate for the losses.

3.09 pm

Mobile internet services have been restored in Assam. Yesterday, the Gauhati High Court directed the Assam government to restore internet services.

3.08 pm

A National Human Rights Commission team visited Jamia Millia Islamia University today to “inquire” about the events of December 15. The team also inspected the university library, ANI reports.

3.02 pm

The Pondicherry University Students’ Council issued a notice urging students to not participate in a function on December 23 which will be attended by Ram Nath Kovind.

2.58 pm

The Delhi police has asked protesters in Jamia to “disperse peacefully”, Firstpost reports. A source said: “Delhi police have appealed the gathering to vacate the area peacefully because there are high chances of criminal elements to mix within the crowd and create violence. This gathering mostly comprises local residents, even there are minors in the crowd. The area is highly congested and if any violence takes place, it’ll be dangerous for local residents and shopkeepers.”

2.50 pm

In Tamil Nadu, the police has registered cases against 600 people. These include VCK chief and MP Thol Thirumavalavan, actor Siddharth, and singer TM Krishna.

2.42 pm

Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was detained today after leading a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Delhi. However, he escaped police custody, NDTV reports, and surfaced inside the gates of Jama Masjid. He was detained soon after.

DECEMBER 20

That’s it for today. See you tomorrow. 

7.27 pm

Rahul Gandhi said the government shutting down colleges, internet, telephones and halting metro trains “to suppress peaceful protests” is “an insult to India’s soul”.

6.33 pm

News18 reports that Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath said the “Congress SP, and the Left” are “misleading” people. “Rioting in the name of protest is not acceptable…I have called a meeting over this. You cant indulge in violence in name of protest. We will take strict action against such elements. Will seize property of those found guilty and compensate damage to public property.”

6.32 pm

6.25 pm

The National Social Media Coordinator for the Mahila Congress says three died in police firing in Mangaluru. Curfew has been imposed in Mangaluru central sub-division till December 21.

6.20 pm

5.35 pm

5.33 pm

At a rally in West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee said “after 73 years of independence we have to prove that we are Indian citizens”. She said the BJP was dividing the country, ANI reports.

5.20 pm

5.10 pm

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan sent a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, urging his intervention to prevent attacks on students.

5.05 pm

5 pm

PDP president Mehbooba Mufti accuses BJP of ensuring that “Kashmir-like” situation prevails in every part of India, PTI reports.

4.58 pm

4.55 pm

The home ministry will review the security situation in the country amid the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, News18 reports.

4.36 pm

4.34 pm

The police is lathi-charging protesters in Mangaluru, The News Minute reports.

4.30 pm

4.14 pm

4.12 pm

More updates from Newslaundry‘s Manisha Pande in Lucknow.

4.07 pm

News18 reports that the Gauhati High Court has asked the Assam government to restore mobile internet services by 5 pm today.

4.06 pm

Newslaundry‘s Manisha Pande reporting on the Citizenship Amendment Act protests from Lucknow.

4.02 pm

4 pm

DMK chief MK Stalin condemned the detention of Ramachandra Guha and Yogendra Yadav, saying “dictatorship replaces democracy” when the space for dissent shrinks.

3.56 pm

ANI reports that the administration of AIIMS issued a memorandum to its staff, saying there should be no “strike, dharna or demonstration or gherao” in, at or around AIIMS.

3.53 pm

Reports of stone-pelting and the police using teargas in Lucknow during protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

3.49 pm

Protests at Valluvar Kottam, Chennai. The police revoked permission for the protest late last night.

3.42 pm

3.39 pm

3.15 pm

According to PTI, BJP working president JD Nadda met with refugees from Afghanistan and said, “Amended citizenship law will be implemented, so will be NRC in future.”

3.05 pm

2.49 pm

2.42 pm

2.38 pm

2.36 pm

According to India Today, 18 states “support” the Citizenship Amendment Act, 10 do not support it, and 2 are “undecided”.

2.25 pm

Lawyer Prashant Bhushan was detained from ITO, Delhi. He was taken to Model Town police station where he says he’s continuing the protest against “unjust laws and an inhuman govt”.

2.22 pm

Congress Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Gowda has moved the Karnataka High Court against the “unjust imposition of Section 144”.

2.19 pm

In Ahmedabad, the police lathi-charged people at a protest called by different Left parties, ANI reports.

2.16 pm

Detainees offering namaz at Surajmal Stadium, Delhi.

2.11 pm

2.09 pm

Rioting is taking place in the name of citizenship, says Zee News.

In Sambal, Uttar Pradesh, a bus has been set on fire. News18 reports that two buses have been torched.

1.53 pm

In Delhi, the police have barricaded the main road at multiple points half a km ahead of Lal Qila. Only media, schoolchildren allowed to pass.

1.46 pm

News18 Hindi blames the ISI for the countrywide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

1.41 pm

Protests at Jantar Mantar, Delhi.

1.34 pm

1.32 pm

ABP News claims the protests are part of a movement only by the Left parties.

1.29 pm

In Delhi, the protest march has stopped at Jantar Mantar. Slogans like “Amit Shah isteefa do” and “chowkidaar chor hai” are being shouted.

1.27 pm

Republic is running a “truth vs rumour” ticker on whether the Citizenship Amendment Act will be pro-citizens or anti-citizens.

1.25 pm

Newslaundry‘s Basant Kumar spoke to Yogendra Yadav as the latter was being detained by the police in Delhi.

1.24 pm

The DCP of South Hyderabad says about 50 people have been taken into custody.

1.20 pm

Mamata Banerjee condemns the detention of historian Ramachandra Guha and extends solidarity to all those detained.

1.15 pm

Republic reporter at the Delhi protest: “There are 2,000-3,000 protesters, mostly from the Left background. The students’ protest has been hijacked by Opposition parties.”

He asks some protesters, “You all are students, why are you falling for this misconception?” The students walk away and the reporter says, “As you can see they gave a ‘small’ argument and backed out. They have been told by their ‘masters’ not to talk to media.”

1.11 pm

Journalist Abhishek Baxi accesses the deputy commissioner of police order to telecom operators on the shutdown of voice, SMS and internet communication.

1.10 pm

Another bus full of detained protesters leaves Red Fort.

1.08 pm

Airtel tells ANI it’s “complying with instructions received from govt. authorities on suspending Voice, SMS and data in certain areas in Delhi”.

12.56 pm

On Republic, Arvind Kejriwal says not just Muslims are worried about the Bill, but Hindus, Sikhs and others too. He says it’s ironic that the Act was passed and today, internet is being shut down in many places across Delhi.

12.50 pm

Activist John Dayal has just been detained outside Shaheed Park, Delhi.

12.40 pm

Republic TV says the Opposition is continuing to “provoke” issues with the ongoing protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill. The anchor says it’s important to understand the “facts” before protesting the Bill. “Does this [the changes] make the Bill communal?” she asks.

12.35 pm

Sitaram Yechury and D Raja have been detained by the Delhi police.

12.32 pm

The Gurugram traffic police says the Delhi police has “sealed” Delhi’s borders at NH-48, MG Road and Old Delhi-Gurugram Road.

12.26 pm

12.16 pm

Telecom operators confirm to Medianama that the internet is being shut down in parts of Delhi.

12.12 pm

Minister of Human Resource Development, Ramesh Pokhriyal, tells PTI: “With folded hands I appeal to political parties to keep academic institutions away from their politics.”

12.10 pm

Yogendra Yadav says it’s an “honour” to be detained, a “small tribute to Ashfakulla Khan and Ramprasad Bismil”. He says “a thousand protesters already detained” and “thousands” are on the way.

12.05 pm

In Delhi, Airtel confirms internet “suspension orders”.

12 pm

Section 144 has been imposed in Mandi House, Delhi, where a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act was scheduled for 12 pm, News18 reports.

11.55 am

India Today says 17 buses have been filled and protesters are being taken away. “Lady protesters are being dragged away by male police officers. There is a lock-down outside Red Fort.”

11.52 am

Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa: This is a non-designated space for protests and we can’t give them permission. Section 144 has been declared here at Red Fort.

11.47 am

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa says the Congress is “behind protests” against the Citizenship Amendment Act. He tells ANI: “If Congress leaders continue to support protests then they’ll face consequences.”

11.44 am

The media has been asked to leave Red Fort area, which has been barricaded.

11.40 am

Ticker on Republic TV reads: “Politics over CAA despite setback in apex court. Attempt to provoke minorities?”

11.39 am

On ABP News, the graphic behind the anchor reads: “What do we want, freedom…Freedom from rumour-mongering.”

11.38 am

The Delhi police says permission hasn’t been granted for the protest march scheduled at 12 pm in Delhi from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar.

11.35 am

The Congress party says the internet shutdown and imposition of Section 144 are “draconian measures to muzzle citizens by a govt that is terrified of hearing what Indians have to say”.

11.30 am

Yogendra Yadav tells Aaj Tak: “We request the police to let us protest peacefully. We will take whatever route you allow us to take.” Yadav has now been detained at Red Fort.

Barricades have been erected at Red Fort, where the police is forcefully putting protesters into buses.

11.20 am

Aaj Tak has  visuals of protests from Patna. The reporter says members of Pappu Yadav’s Jan Adhikari Party are indulging in destruction of public property.

11.16 am

At Lal Qila, protesters are slowly arriving. The Delhi Police, led actively by Sanjay Bhatia, is detaining them in batches.

11.12 am

Visuals of protesters being detained in Bengaluru. Section 144 has been imposed in Karnataka till December 21.

MHA Sources have informed CNN-News18 that rules under CAA will be formed before Supreme Court hearing.

11.07 am

Historian Ramachandra Guha is among protesters detained in Town Hall, Bengaluru, The News Minute reports.

11.05 am

News18 reports that people are being detained near Red Fort. The Delhi police detained a lawyer who said he was just walking by and wasn’t part of the protests.

10.43 am

NDTV flashes a projected cost of Rs 54,663 crore for a nationwide NRC and asks whether spending this amount is worth it when the economy is going downhill.

10.40 am

Trinamool Congress leader Derek O’Brien takes NDTV by surprise by turning up wearing a “No CAB, No NRC” shirt.

10.15 am

Section 144 has been imposed across Karnataka until December 21. Section 144 was also imposed in Uttar Pradesh, and the state’s DGP has asked parents to “counsel their children”.

The police commissioner of Hyderabad says “no permission” has been given for a rally or procession against or in favour of the Act.

Permission has also been withdrawn for the proposed protest in Chennai.

In Delhi, Section 144 has been imposed in the Red Fort area. The police said permission has not been granted for the protest scheduled at 11.30 am from Lal Quila to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park. Several metro stations are closed.