New Delhi: Hundreds of people were detained as protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens intensified on the streets of Delhi Thursday.
Authorities imposed Section 144 (which prohibits the gathering of four or more people) in several areas, including the Red Fort, New Delhi, and the Central, South-East and North-East districts. They also shut down 19 Delhi Metro stations, and clamped down on mobile and internet services in some parts of the city to prevent two protest marches, scheduled to be held from Red Fort to Shaheed Park at ITO, and from Mandi House to Parliament Street.
More than 5,000 police personnel were deployed throughout the city, including at entry/exit points, to carry out checks, which led to traffic snarls.
However, protesters defied all this to gather at Mandi House at noon and proceeded to march towards Jantar Mantar. Police personnel in riot gear began detaining people in buses, leading to sloganeering against the Delhi Police, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah.
According to police sources, nearly 200 people were detained and taken to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana, north-west Delhi.
“The protesters did not have police permission to hold the protests but still they came out on the roads. We had been prepared. We have detained several of them and have taken them to Rajiv Gandhi Stadium. They will be released later in the day,” a senior police officer said.
“There was no violence reported from anywhere in Delhi, the situation is under control,” the officer added, allaying fears of a repeat of incidents over the past four days in Jamia and Seelampur.
Students lead protest at Jantar Mantar
The protest at Jantar Mantar was spearheaded by students, chanting slogans of ‘azadi’ (freedom), ‘inquilab zindabad’ (long live the revolution), and demanding that the Citizenship (Amendment) Act be repealed. The students were joined by people of all ages from different parts of India.
A student from Aligarh Muslim University, which had witnessed violent protests and a police crackdown on campus last weekend, also attended the protest at Jantar Mantar. “I am here so that people know what all happened at the university that night, as there was very little media reportage and internet services were suspended,” said the student, who did not wish to be named.
The protesters were joined by Congress’ Debabrata Saikia, Leader of Opposition in the Assam Legislative Assembly who sat on a seven-hour hunger strike demanding a complete withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
Saikia said: “I also want to bring to light the police high-handedness due to which five youngsters were killed in Assam in the recent protests. We are demanding a judicial inquiry for that as well.”
A student from Assam who is enrolled at Delhi University added: “This Act is a direct attack on us Assamese people. Moreover, they have suspended internet services, therefore the voice of the youth in Assam cannot be heard here.”
Also read: Violent anti-CAA protests break out in Lucknow, police use tear-gas to disperse crowds
Jamia students also in attendance
Students and alumni of Jamia were also present in large numbers, and made it a point to voice their anger against the manner in which the Delhi Police stormed its campus Sunday and attacked students.
“I don’t think we can currently call India a democracy. We were silently and peacefully protesting when the police entered our campus and started lathi-charging and attacking us,” said a student.
A female student from the same university added: “We had even held up a placard saying no stone-pelters should be allowed.”
Another political leader who was present to express his solidarity with the students was Communist Party of India leader D. Raja, who said: “The Left extends its support to all the students. We will collectively fight Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.”
Heavy police presence
The walk to Jantar Mantar saw heavy police presence. The area was barricaded, and male and female officers were present to “ensure law and order”, though they refused to speak on record to the media.
“The heavy police presence is mainly because there was information of other parties that have supported the CAA coming to the venue, so we are here to avoid the possibility of any clashes and to ensure law and order,” said a senior police officer, who did not want to be identified.
Asked why Section 144 was imposed at the Red Fort, the officer said the provision is permanently imposed in certain parts of Delhi.
Also read: In Ahmedabad, police baton charge anti-Citizenship Act protesters
Citizenship act won’t be rolled back as protesters are thinking. However it can be amended if the people in power want. That chance is minimum.