Section 144 will be imposed in Bangaluru for the next three days as protests have been planned over the implementation of the CAA and NRC. Under section 144 assembly of more than 4 people is prohibited.

Section 144 to be imposed in Bangaluru over CAA protests

Protests Against Controversial Citizenship Law Intensifies The opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act has been intensifying #CAA #Gravitas #CAAprotest

Gravitas: How The Anti-citizenship Law Protests Spread Across India

Protests Against Controversial Citizenship Law Intensifies The opposition to the Citizenship Amendment Act has been intensifying

New Citizenship Law Triggers A Crisis For Ruling BJP, Several Key Allies Backtrack When non-political individuals join a protest for a cause, it becomes a movement. The protests against Citizenship Amendment Act is turning to be the biggest challenge for the government yet. #Gravitas #CAA #CAAprotest #BJP

Gravitas: Anti-citizenship Law Protests: Biggest Challenge For Modi Government

Stifling Peaceful Civil Disobedience Could Have Serious Ramifications Tackling violence with an iron hand is a necessity, but what explains stifling peaceful civil disobedience? It's time for the government to realise that with absolute majority comes more responsibility. #Gravitas #WIONEdit #CAA #CAAprotest

WION Edit: Citizenship Law: Absolute Power Comes With Responsibility

Internet services have been suspended in Ghaziabad on Thursday night for the next 24 hours following the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state.

The Ghaziabad district administration suspended the services from 10 pm today till 10 pm on December 20.

Meanwhile, internet services have also been snapped in Meerut and Bareilly. Protests erupted in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Section-144 has been imposed in various parts of the state in view of the prevailing law and order situation.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

Internet services have been suspended in Ghaziabad on Thursday night for the next 24 hours following the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state.

Internet services have been suspended in Ghaziabad on Thursday night for the next 24 hours following the violent protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act in the state. The Ghaziabad district administration suspended the services from 10 pm today till 10 pm on December 20. Meanwhile, internet services have also been snapped in Meerut and Bareilly. Protests erupted in different parts of the country including Uttar Pradesh over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. Section-144 has been imposed in various parts of the state in view of the prevailing law and order situation.

Anti-CAA protests: Internet services suspended in Ghaziabad, Meerut, Bareilly

Bengaluru City Police has detained over 40 progressive thinkers and activists in the city, who were protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. #CAA #CAAprotest #Bengaluru

Citizenship Amendment Act protest exclusive updates

People in almost every corner of India took to streets on Thursday to protest against the Citizen Amendment Act and to condemn the violence on Jamia Milia Islamia students on Sunday.&nbsp;

The Mumbai leg of the protest saw several prominent faces from the film fraternity coming together to protest against CAA. Celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, who came with girlfriend Shibani Dandekar, actor Siddharth, Swara Bhasker, Huma Quereshi, Sushant Singh, filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Mudassar Aziz and Rahul Dholakia were spotted at Mumbai's historic August Kranti Marg which saw lakhs of protestors gathering and peacefully protesting.&nbsp;

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Some are heroes in both reel and real life, to be brave enough to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone. Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/Actor_Siddharth?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Actor_Siddharth</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/FarOutAkhtar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FarOutAkhtar</a> ❤️ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAAProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAAProtest</a> <a href="https://t.co/86tRStFQGX">pic.twitter.com/86tRStFQGX</a>
— Suvarna Haridas (@Suvarna_haridas) <a href="https://twitter.com/Suvarna_haridas/status/1207648821380968448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Met this little protestor at August Kranti Maidan. The voice of people is loud and clear 🇮🇳<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NoViolenceButNoSilence?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NoViolenceButNoSilence</a> Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/MumbaiPolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MumbaiPolice</a> for doing a great job at helping in organise a peaceful protest. Jai Maharashtra! Jai Hind ! ❤️ <a href="https://t.co/rkVu50BI3x">pic.twitter.com/rkVu50BI3x</a>
— Huma S Qureshi (@humasqureshi) <a href="https://twitter.com/humasqureshi/status/1207660235877429248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Peaceful. Powerful. Purposeful. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAAProtest?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAAProtest</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/augustkrantimaidan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#augustkrantimaidan</a> <a href="https://t.co/hRft8iHvF8">pic.twitter.com/hRft8iHvF8</a>
— rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) <a href="https://twitter.com/rahuldholakia/status/1207625679480774657?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 19, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Stand up comedian Zakir Khan, Kunal Kamra were also present so was Youtube star Mallika Dua who came with actress Shweta Tripathi.&nbsp; 
 
Those who could not make it shared tweets, stating their support to the movement.&nbsp;

While many celebrities have come out in support of the protests, people have also questioned the silence of celebrities including Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh among others.

People in almost every corner of India took to streets on Thursday to protest against the Citizen Amendment Act and to condemn the violence on Jamia Milia Islamia students on Sunday.

People in almost every corner of India took to streets on Thursday to protest against the Citizen Amendment Act and to condemn the violence on Jamia Milia Islamia students on Sunday. The Mumbai leg of the protest saw several prominent faces from the film fraternity coming together to protest against CAA. Celebrities like Farhan Akhtar, who came with girlfriend Shibani Dandekar, actor Siddharth, Swara Bhasker, Huma Quereshi, Sushant Singh, filmmakers Anurag Kashyap, Mudassar Aziz and Rahul Dholakia were spotted at Mumbai's historic August Kranti Marg which saw lakhs of protestors gathering and peacefully protesting. Some are heroes in both reel and real life, to be brave enough to stand for what you believe in even if you stand alone. Thank you @Actor_Siddharth & @FarOutAkhtar ❤️ #CAAProtest pic.twitter.com/86tRStFQGX — Suvarna Haridas (@Suvarna_haridas) December 19, 2019 × Met this little protestor at August Kranti Maidan. The voice of people is loud and clear 🇮🇳#NoViolenceButNoSilence Thank you @MumbaiPolice for doing a great job at helping in organise a peaceful protest. Jai Maharashtra! Jai Hind ! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rkVu50BI3x — Huma S Qureshi (@humasqureshi) December 19, 2019 × Peaceful. Powerful. Purposeful. #CAAProtest #augustkrantimaidan pic.twitter.com/hRft8iHvF8 — rahul dholakia (@rahuldholakia) December 19, 2019 × Stand up comedian Zakir Khan, Kunal Kamra were also present so was Youtube star Mallika Dua who came with actress Shweta Tripathi. Those who could not make it shared tweets, stating their support to the movement. While many celebrities have come out in support of the protests, people have also questioned the silence of celebrities including Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan and Ranveer Singh among others.

Farhan Akhtar, Huma Qureshi, Swara Bhasker take part in anti CAA protest in Mumbai 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded that an "impartial organisation" like United Nations should form a committee to see how many people were in favour of Citizenship Amendment Act.

"Let there be an impartial organisation like United Nations or Human Rights Commission ...form a committee to see how many people are in favour or against the Citizenship Amendment Act," she said while addressing a gathering.

She also accused the BJP of "dividing" the country and said that the protests against the amended Citizenship Act will not stop unless the government withdraws the legislation, which aims to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three countries in India's neighbourhood.

"Suddenly after 73 years of Independence, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's at that time? BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get CAA revoked... Protests will get stronger as the day passes," Banerjee said while speaking at a protest.

"You have won 38 per cent vote after doing so much and many of them are against you. It's bad luck for us that we have to give our fathers and mothers identity. All are citizens and suddenly who gave this idea that we have to give proof of it... They are doing dirty politics," she added.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar asked Banerjee to withdraw her reported remarks.

"I appeal CM Mamata Bannerjee to please withdraw her reported statement 'Let there be an impartial organisation like United Nations or National Human Rights Commission hold a referendum to see how many people are in favour or against Citizenship (Amendment) Act'", he said in a tweet.

Banerjee has been vehemently opposing the amended Citizenship Act and has said that she will not allow the legislation to be implemented in West Bengal. Several other non-BJP chief ministers have also echoed similar views.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded that an "impartial organisation" like United Nations should form a committee to see how many people were in favour of Citizenship Amendment Act.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded that an "impartial organisation" like United Nations should form a committee to see how many people were in favour of Citizenship Amendment Act. "Let there be an impartial organisation like United Nations or Human Rights Commission ...form a committee to see how many people are in favour or against the Citizenship Amendment Act," she said while addressing a gathering. She also accused the BJP of "dividing" the country and said that the protests against the amended Citizenship Act will not stop unless the government withdraws the legislation, which aims to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three countries in India's neighbourhood. "Suddenly after 73 years of Independence, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's at that time? BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get CAA revoked... Protests will get stronger as the day passes," Banerjee said while speaking at a protest. "You have won 38 per cent vote after doing so much and many of them are against you. It's bad luck for us that we have to give our fathers and mothers identity. All are citizens and suddenly who gave this idea that we have to give proof of it... They are doing dirty politics," she added. Meanwhile, West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar asked Banerjee to withdraw her reported remarks. "I appeal CM Mamata Bannerjee to please withdraw her reported statement 'Let there be an impartial organisation like United Nations or National Human Rights Commission hold a referendum to see how many people are in favour or against Citizenship (Amendment) Act'", he said in a tweet. Banerjee has been vehemently opposing the amended Citizenship Act and has said that she will not allow the legislation to be implemented in West Bengal. Several other non-BJP chief ministers have also echoed similar views.

Impartial organisation like UN should form panel to see how many people favour Citizenship Amendment Act: Mamata

There was tension in some other areas, especially the Old City areas, and police officials were having a tough time maintaining law and order. #CAA #CAAprotest #Lucknow #UP #India

Citizenship Amendment Act Protesters In Lucknow Torch vehicles

Union Ministry of Home Affairs will be holding a review meeting later today over the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act across the country, news agency ANI reported.&nbsp;

Section 144, which prohibits congregation of more than four people in public places, has been imposed in different parts of the country as well in areas of the national capital.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, several protesters were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort. Over 15 stations of Delhi Metro have been shut in the wake of anti-CAA protests.&nbsp;

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Union Ministry of Home Affairs to hold a review meeting later today over the protests against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CitizenshipAmendmentAct?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CitizenshipAmendmentAct</a> in different parts of the country. <a href="https://t.co/vP2ad7N0pW">pic.twitter.com/vP2ad7N0pW</a>
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Historian Ramachandra Guha was detained during a protest in Bengaluru while he was participating in a peaceful protest at townhall against the new citizenship law.&nbsp;

Other cities like Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bhopal and Hyderabad also witnessed protests today morning.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked protesters not to step back.&nbsp;

"We have to get the CAA revoked," Banerjee said today during an address.&nbsp;

"Suddenly after 73 years of independence, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's head and tail at that time, BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get the CAA revoked," she said.&nbsp;

Union Ministry of Home Affairs will be holding a review meeting later today over the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act across the country, news agency ANI reported.

Union Ministry of Home Affairs will be holding a review meeting later today over the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act across the country, news agency ANI reported. Section 144, which prohibits congregation of more than four people in public places, has been imposed in different parts of the country as well in areas of the national capital. Earlier in the day, several protesters were detained by the Delhi Police near Red Fort. Over 15 stations of Delhi Metro have been shut in the wake of anti-CAA protests. Union Ministry of Home Affairs to hold a review meeting later today over the protests against #CitizenshipAmendmentAct in different parts of the country. pic.twitter.com/vP2ad7N0pW — ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2019 × Historian Ramachandra Guha was detained during a protest in Bengaluru while he was participating in a peaceful protest at townhall against the new citizenship law. Other cities like Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai, Pune, Chennai, Bhopal and Hyderabad also witnessed protests today morning. Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has asked protesters not to step back. "We have to get the CAA revoked," Banerjee said today during an address. "Suddenly after 73 years of independence, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's head and tail at that time, BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get the CAA revoked," she said.

CAA protests: Home Ministry to hold review meeting over unrest across country

As many as 25 people, including historian and author Ramachandra Guha, were detained by the police when they attempted to stage a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act. #CAA #Ramchandra Guha #Historian #Bengaluru

Historian Ramachandra Guha detained by Bengaluru police for protesting against CAA

Protesters remained undeterred by the imposition of Prohibitory Orders in the city of Bengaluru as they took to the streets from Thursday morning to demonstrate against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act.&nbsp;

Despite the imposition of Section 144 in the city, that prevents the gathering of groups of more than 4 members in public places, protesters gathered with placards and roses for what they called a peaceful demonstration. Several agitators were detained, including noted historian Ramachandra Guha.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
"The government is giving these orders to arrest protesters. We are protesting peacefully against this discriminatory Act passed by the Central Government. But look at what is happening. Do you see any violence here? Why are the police behaving in such a manner?" said Guha before being taken away by the police. Several civic activists and students were also detained as police were given orders to not allow big gathering up until December 21.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Rajeev Gowda, Rajya Sabha MP has filed a PIL in the Karnataka High Court saying the petitioners have the right to protest and assemble peacefully which is protected under Article 19 (1) of the constitution.&nbsp;

"It is a total abuse of power. The commissioner has been badly advised. The Home Secretary should have advised him properly. Section 144 has to be imposed only when there is an incitement for violence. None of that has happened here. People are peacefully protesting. People have come here to exercise their right to protest under the Constitution and to say the Constitution matters to them. If the parliament has passed a bill without discussing with the people of India, people are upset. That's why they are out and if you go and arrest them, how are you going to call this a democracy anymore. This is declaring an emergency without calling it that," said environmentalist Leo Saldanha.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
Protesters belonging to a multitude of civic organisations continued to pour into the city's Townhall to participate in the demonstrations.&nbsp;

Dramatic scenes were witnessed as many of the peaceful protesters were forcibly carried into police vehicles and detained at different stations.&nbsp;

"We came here from the National Law School of India for a silent protest. We are sitting silently across the road. Around 30 of my colleagues were loaded into a bus and taken away. I do not know where they are. One of them was manhandled. We were not doing anything," said Hamza, a student from the National Law School of India.&nbsp; 
&nbsp; 
IIM Bangalore has decided to stage a unique agitation to circumvent Section 144 imposed by the city police. At any point in time, just three protesters will stage a demonstration outside the IIM-B gates and the protesters will rotate every few minutes.&nbsp;

"Section 144 allows groups of 3-4 to take turns to protest. Some of us are organizing a protest where three IIM-B members will take turns to protest. We will be at the IIM-B main gate at 6:00 pm. At any given time only three of us are going to be outside the main gate. We will be within the bounds of Section 144 and yet register our protest against the divisive CAA-NRC, the police brutality against Jamia and AMU students, and the arbitrary imposition of "144" and arrests across the country,’ read a mail circulated within the IIM-B community.&nbsp;

Protests erupted in Kalburgi and Mangalore districts as well despite the prohibitory orders in place. Protesters are awaiting the hearing on the PIL against the imposition of Section 144 which they believe curtails their right to peaceful demonstration and free speech.&nbsp;

Protesters remained undeterred by the imposition of Prohibitory Orders in the city of Bengaluru as they took to the streets from Thursday morning to demonstrate against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act.

Protesters remained undeterred by the imposition of Prohibitory Orders in the city of Bengaluru as they took to the streets from Thursday morning to demonstrate against the contentious Citizenship Amendment Act. Despite the imposition of Section 144 in the city, that prevents the gathering of groups of more than 4 members in public places, protesters gathered with placards and roses for what they called a peaceful demonstration. Several agitators were detained, including noted historian Ramachandra Guha. "The government is giving these orders to arrest protesters. We are protesting peacefully against this discriminatory Act passed by the Central Government. But look at what is happening. Do you see any violence here? Why are the police behaving in such a manner?" said Guha before being taken away by the police. Several civic activists and students were also detained as police were given orders to not allow big gathering up until December 21. Rajeev Gowda, Rajya Sabha MP has filed a PIL in the Karnataka High Court saying the petitioners have the right to protest and assemble peacefully which is protected under Article 19 (1) of the constitution. "It is a total abuse of power. The commissioner has been badly advised. The Home Secretary should have advised him properly. Section 144 has to be imposed only when there is an incitement for violence. None of that has happened here. People are peacefully protesting. People have come here to exercise their right to protest under the Constitution and to say the Constitution matters to them. If the parliament has passed a bill without discussing with the people of India, people are upset. That's why they are out and if you go and arrest them, how are you going to call this a democracy anymore. This is declaring an emergency without calling it that," said environmentalist Leo Saldanha. Protesters belonging to a multitude of civic organisations continued to pour into the city's Townhall to participate in the demonstrations. Dramatic scenes were witnessed as many of the peaceful protesters were forcibly carried into police vehicles and detained at different stations. "We came here from the National Law School of India for a silent protest. We are sitting silently across the road. Around 30 of my colleagues were loaded into a bus and taken away. I do not know where they are. One of them was manhandled. We were not doing anything," said Hamza, a student from the National Law School of India. IIM Bangalore has decided to stage a unique agitation to circumvent Section 144 imposed by the city police. At any point in time, just three protesters will stage a demonstration outside the IIM-B gates and the protesters will rotate every few minutes. "Section 144 allows groups of 3-4 to take turns to protest. Some of us are organizing a protest where three IIM-B members will take turns to protest. We will be at the IIM-B main gate at 6:00 pm. At any given time only three of us are going to be outside the main gate. We will be within the bounds of Section 144 and yet register our protest against the divisive CAA-NRC, the police brutality against Jamia and AMU students, and the arbitrary imposition of "144" and arrests across the country,’ read a mail circulated within the IIM-B community. Protests erupted in Kalburgi and Mangalore districts as well despite the prohibitory orders in place. Protesters are awaiting the hearing on the PIL against the imposition of Section 144 which they believe curtails their right to peaceful demonstration and free speech.

Anti-CAA protests: Bengaluru erupts, defies section 144

The people wanted them to speak and they are voicing their opinion on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), one by one.

We are talking about A-lister Bollywood celebrities.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-richa-chadha-anubhav-sinha-other-bollywood-celebs-condemn-police-brutality-over-citizenship-law-268472">Anurag Kashyap, Rajkummar Rao, Taapsee Pannu and others </a>had spoken about the violence on the first day of the student protests while many others including the Khans, Kapoors and Johars and others kept mum on it.&nbsp;Hollywood star John Cusack had also shared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/solidarity-hollywood-star-john-cusack-tweets-in-support-of-student-protest-movement-268588">videos of the assault.&nbsp;</a>

But after yesterday when&nbsp;Hrithik Roshan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-breaks-mum-on-student-protests-against-caa-salute-worlds-youngest-democracy-268997">spoke against violence </a>and expressed sadness over brutality on students as they protested against CAA, Priyanka Chopra has also opened up on it now. She took to her Twitter stressing on the need for education and condemning violence against the students.

She wrote, "Education for every child is our dream. Education is what empowered them to think independently. We have raised them to have a voice. In a thriving democracy, to raise one’s voice peacefully and be met with violence is wrong. Every voice counts. And each voice will work towards changing India. #HaveVoiceWillRaise #HaveVoiceMustRaise.”

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— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) <a href="https://twitter.com/priyankachopra/status/1207371989414858752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The tweet makes sense even more as Priyanka Chopra, is also a global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and works towards the cause of education.&nbsp;

This comes the same day when Kangana Ranaut called out Bollywood celebs for not talking on the CAA. In an interview, she had said, "The actors should be ashamed of themselves. I have no illusions about the fact that Bollywood is full of cowards who are full of themselves. All they do is just look into the mirror 20 times a day and when they’re asked they say we have electricity and we have access to everything, we are privileged, why should we be bothered about the country. Some of them even brag about it, that we are artists, we should not be concerned about the nation, they should be dragged for this and that is why I have come out in the open to question them.”

Meanwhile, Hrithik had tweeted,&nbsp;"As a parent and a citizen of India, I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the words youngest democracy."

The people wanted them to speak and they are voicing their opinion on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), one by one. We are talking about A-lister Bollywood celebrities.

The people wanted them to speak and they are voicing their opinion on the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), one by one. We are talking about A-lister Bollywood celebrities. Anurag Kashyap, Rajkummar Rao, Taapsee Pannu and others had spoken about the violence on the first day of the student protests while many others including the Khans, Kapoors and Johars and others kept mum on it. Hollywood star John Cusack had also shared videos of the assault. But after yesterday when Hrithik Roshan spoke against violence and expressed sadness over brutality on students as they protested against CAA, Priyanka Chopra has also opened up on it now. She took to her Twitter stressing on the need for education and condemning violence against the students. She wrote, "Education for every child is our dream. Education is what empowered them to think independently. We have raised them to have a voice. In a thriving democracy, to raise one’s voice peacefully and be met with violence is wrong. Every voice counts. And each voice will work towards changing India. #HaveVoiceWillRaise #HaveVoiceMustRaise.” pic.twitter.com/rA8PmJTRH7 — PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) December 18, 2019 × The tweet makes sense even more as Priyanka Chopra, is also a global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and works towards the cause of education. This comes the same day when Kangana Ranaut called out Bollywood celebs for not talking on the CAA. In an interview, she had said, "The actors should be ashamed of themselves. I have no illusions about the fact that Bollywood is full of cowards who are full of themselves. All they do is just look into the mirror 20 times a day and when they’re asked they say we have electricity and we have access to everything, we are privileged, why should we be bothered about the country. Some of them even brag about it, that we are artists, we should not be concerned about the nation, they should be dragged for this and that is why I have come out in the open to question them.” Meanwhile, Hrithik had tweeted, "As a parent and a citizen of India, I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the words youngest democracy."

Anti-CAA protests: Priyanka Chopra sides with the students, talks of importance of education

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

At the same time, the world’s largest democracy is silent on the genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya, the region’s worst persecuted minority. It fell to The Gambia to take up in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the killing of thousands of Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August 2017. UN investigations suggest that at least 10,000 Rohingya may have been killed in the military crackdown, which saw more than 700,000 Rohingya flee Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh.

Yet CAA provides for citizenship – on the basis of religion - to persecuted Buddhists along with Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In other words, the refugee seeking migrant must be a non-Muslim from a Muslim-majority nation, which Myanmar is not. Neither is Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka is home to the largest proportion of Hindu population – 12.6 per cent – outside India. In recent decades, it is in Sri Lanka that the largest number of Hindus (Tamils) – about 2.55 million – has suffered discrimination, denial of their rights and persecution under the majoritarian Sinhalese. It is in Sri Lanka that the highest number of Hindus (Tamils) was killed during the civil war from 1983 to 2009, which claimed nearly1.9 lakh lives including of non-Tamils; and, it is from Sri Lanka that, after 1971, the largest number of Hindu refugees came to India. Tamil Nadu still has a sizable number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.

However, the Indian government, though explicitly committed to providing refuge to persecuted Hindus in the region, couldn’t care less about Sri Lankan Hindus. To justify their exclusion on the ground that their persecution was linguistic – and not religious – will not wash because they are Hindus as much as they are Tamils. And, as much as the Hindu, the Muslim is also a persecuted minority under the Sinhalese-Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka.

The BJP government has no explanation for this exclusion of minorities (including Hindus) in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It may well be because the Hindi-Hindutva party has no vote bank in Tamil Nadu; and its polarising Hindu-Muslim politics has been rewarded mainly in the cow belt and is making headway in Bengal. In the eastern state, the success of its divisive agenda depends on targeting Bangladesh and “Bangladeshis” in India.

This shift to religion as a basis for citizenship and exclusion of Muslims gives a new, intimidating ring to India’s policy of “neighbours first”. The CAA upturns the very idea of citizenship by rooting it in religion. The CAA, to be followed by the NRC (National Register of Citizens), is about finding people to exclude, not include. The government can give citizenship to anyone and does not need a new law for that. It is to exclude a particular community that the new law has been passed.

Such an extension of divisiveness at home to South Asia as a whole is fraught with serious consequences including long-term damage to India’s reputation, its image as a leading power, its culture of diversity and its credentials as a democracy. Even East Asia’s authoritarian regimes with restricted democracy have taken particular care to maintain their non-discriminatory ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity.&nbsp;

The CAA is an instrument for tyrannising a minority, especially the poor and persecuted in India and South Asia. In adopting such a law, the government has betrayed India’s long history of providing refuge to the persecuted and displaced from neighbouring countries.

Sixty years ago, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists and the Dalai Lama sought refuge in India. During the 1971 war, India was a refuge for lakhs of people from East Pakistan, who returned after the birth of Bangladesh. The India that stood up to the West, including for “liberation of Bangladesh”, and supported struggles against colonialism, imperialism and apartheid was a much poorer country, neither wanted at the world’s high tables nor wooed by the hegemons of the time

Regardless of the party in office – Congress, Janata, National Front-Left Front – and the ideological tilt of leaders, be it Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajiv Gandhi or VP Singh, India supported the cause of the oppressed and uprooted elsewhere; and, stood up for peace, freedom and democracy.

In grace with history, India not only backed peoples’ struggles abroad but was also a safe haven to those who sought refuge and resisted tyrannies in their home countries. Besides the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans, there were others, too, over the decades - refugees and democracy activists from Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and several African countries, including South Africa.

Traditionally, Europe was home to those fleeing persecution. At a time when London and Paris, for example, were the choice of most political exiles, a young BP Koirala came to Calcutta and led Nepal’s struggle for democracy from Indian soil. History is replete with instances of the powerful pull India’s diversity and democracy exerted on the mind of freedom-loving peoples who resisted dictators, discrimination and oppression.

Doubtless, that India is changing, perhaps disappearing. But now, the very idea of that India and its values are being religiously destroyed by the state itself. 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL) 
&nbsp;

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

India has no refugee policy. It is not a signatory to the UN’s 1951 Refugee Convention, which defines a refugee. Now, India avowedly wants to be a refuge for persecuted Hindus in the region and professedly for that purpose has enacted the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). At the same time, the world’s largest democracy is silent on the genocide of Myanmar’s Rohingya, the region’s worst persecuted minority. It fell to The Gambia to take up in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) the killing of thousands of Rohingya in Myanmar’s Rakhine state in August 2017. UN investigations suggest that at least 10,000 Rohingya may have been killed in the military crackdown, which saw more than 700,000 Rohingya flee Buddhist-majority Myanmar to Bangladesh. Yet CAA provides for citizenship – on the basis of religion - to persecuted Buddhists along with Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis and Christians from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. In other words, the refugee seeking migrant must be a non-Muslim from a Muslim-majority nation, which Myanmar is not. Neither is Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is home to the largest proportion of Hindu population – 12.6 per cent – outside India. In recent decades, it is in Sri Lanka that the largest number of Hindus (Tamils) – about 2.55 million – has suffered discrimination, denial of their rights and persecution under the majoritarian Sinhalese. It is in Sri Lanka that the highest number of Hindus (Tamils) was killed during the civil war from 1983 to 2009, which claimed nearly1.9 lakh lives including of non-Tamils; and, it is from Sri Lanka that, after 1971, the largest number of Hindu refugees came to India. Tamil Nadu still has a sizable number of Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. However, the Indian government, though explicitly committed to providing refuge to persecuted Hindus in the region, couldn’t care less about Sri Lankan Hindus. To justify their exclusion on the ground that their persecution was linguistic – and not religious – will not wash because they are Hindus as much as they are Tamils. And, as much as the Hindu, the Muslim is also a persecuted minority under the Sinhalese-Buddhist majority in Sri Lanka. The BJP government has no explanation for this exclusion of minorities (including Hindus) in Sri Lanka and Myanmar. It may well be because the Hindi-Hindutva party has no vote bank in Tamil Nadu; and its polarising Hindu-Muslim politics has been rewarded mainly in the cow belt and is making headway in Bengal. In the eastern state, the success of its divisive agenda depends on targeting Bangladesh and “Bangladeshis” in India. This shift to religion as a basis for citizenship and exclusion of Muslims gives a new, intimidating ring to India’s policy of “neighbours first”. The CAA upturns the very idea of citizenship by rooting it in religion. The CAA, to be followed by the NRC (National Register of Citizens), is about finding people to exclude, not include. The government can give citizenship to anyone and does not need a new law for that. It is to exclude a particular community that the new law has been passed. Such an extension of divisiveness at home to South Asia as a whole is fraught with serious consequences including long-term damage to India’s reputation, its image as a leading power, its culture of diversity and its credentials as a democracy. Even East Asia’s authoritarian regimes with restricted democracy have taken particular care to maintain their non-discriminatory ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious diversity. The CAA is an instrument for tyrannising a minority, especially the poor and persecuted in India and South Asia. In adopting such a law, the government has betrayed India’s long history of providing refuge to the persecuted and displaced from neighbouring countries. Sixty years ago, thousands of Tibetan Buddhists and the Dalai Lama sought refuge in India. During the 1971 war, India was a refuge for lakhs of people from East Pakistan, who returned after the birth of Bangladesh. The India that stood up to the West, including for “liberation of Bangladesh”, and supported struggles against colonialism, imperialism and apartheid was a much poorer country, neither wanted at the world’s high tables nor wooed by the hegemons of the time Regardless of the party in office – Congress, Janata, National Front-Left Front – and the ideological tilt of leaders, be it Indira Gandhi, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Rajiv Gandhi or VP Singh, India supported the cause of the oppressed and uprooted elsewhere; and, stood up for peace, freedom and democracy. In grace with history, India not only backed peoples’ struggles abroad but was also a safe haven to those who sought refuge and resisted tyrannies in their home countries. Besides the Dalai Lama and the Tibetans, there were others, too, over the decades - refugees and democracy activists from Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Burma and several African countries, including South Africa. Traditionally, Europe was home to those fleeing persecution. At a time when London and Paris, for example, were the choice of most political exiles, a young BP Koirala came to Calcutta and led Nepal’s struggle for democracy from Indian soil. History is replete with instances of the powerful pull India’s diversity and democracy exerted on the mind of freedom-loving peoples who resisted dictators, discrimination and oppression. Doubtless, that India is changing, perhaps disappearing. But now, the very idea of that India and its values are being religiously destroyed by the state itself. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

India: No more refuge for the persecuted

In India resentment over the amended Citizenship law among certain quarters has culminated into a series of protests. Atleast 20 petitions have been fired in the Supreme Court of India till now. A three-judge bench headed by Justice SA Bobde will hear the petition today.

Supreme Court 3 judge bench to hear CAA petition today

Section-144, which prohibits the gathering of five or more people, has been imposed in the North East District of Delhi, a day after an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest had turned violent in Seelampur area.

A police party carried out patrolling in Seelampur earlier today morning. A total of six people were arrested in connection with the anti-citizenship law demonstration in Seelampur.

Raids are being conducted to apprehend some other people who have also been identified, police said.

The anti-CAA protest turned violent in the area, forcing police to use tear gas shells to disperse the protestors, who torched two buses on Tuesday.

The police also stopped vehicular movement on the road, which connects Seelampur with Jafrabad, due to the demonstration.

The protest in Seelampur came days after the clashes between police and protesters in Jamia Millia Islamia over the citizenship law.

The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled religious persecution and arrived in India until December 31, 2014.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have appealed to the people to maintain peace and tranquillity.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Section-144, which prohibits the gathering of five or more people, has been imposed in the North East District of Delhi, a day after an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest had turned violent in Seelampur area.

Section-144, which prohibits the gathering of five or more people, has been imposed in the North East District of Delhi, a day after an anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protest had turned violent in Seelampur area. A police party carried out patrolling in Seelampur earlier today morning. A total of six people were arrested in connection with the anti-citizenship law demonstration in Seelampur. Raids are being conducted to apprehend some other people who have also been identified, police said. The anti-CAA protest turned violent in the area, forcing police to use tear gas shells to disperse the protestors, who torched two buses on Tuesday. The police also stopped vehicular movement on the road, which connects Seelampur with Jafrabad, due to the demonstration. The protest in Seelampur came days after the clashes between police and protesters in Jamia Millia Islamia over the citizenship law. The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh who fled religious persecution and arrived in India until December 31, 2014. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have appealed to the people to maintain peace and tranquillity.

Anti-CAA protest: Section-144 imposed in Delhi's North East District

Kamal Haasan lodged in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Chennai on Wednesday in a protest march led by students of Madras University. 
&nbsp; 
"I am a student until I die. Our students are made refugees here. This is our responsibility. I have not come here as a politician. I have come here to lend my face as podium and vocal chord as a microphone," he said. 
 
The actor, who has earlier this year established his political party Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), also said that as a political leader it was his duty to stand against CAA. "The man who came to India said, "sare jahan se achcha hindositan hamara ye gulistan hamara" but it is not a gulistan," the actor added.&nbsp; 
 
Universities across the country have been protesting over the violence in Jamia Milia University that took place on Sunday. The clash between Delhi Police and the students left about 100 students injured.&nbsp;

Kamal Haasan lodged in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Chennai on Wednesday in a protest march led by students of Madras University. "I am a student until I die.

Kamal Haasan lodged in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Chennai on Wednesday in a protest march led by students of Madras University. "I am a student until I die. Our students are made refugees here. This is our responsibility. I have not come here as a politician. I have come here to lend my face as podium and vocal chord as a microphone," he said. The actor, who has earlier this year established his political party Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK), also said that as a political leader it was his duty to stand against CAA. "The man who came to India said, "sare jahan se achcha hindositan hamara ye gulistan hamara" but it is not a gulistan," the actor added. Universities across the country have been protesting over the violence in Jamia Milia University that took place on Sunday. The clash between Delhi Police and the students left about 100 students injured.

Kamal Haasan joins student protest march in Chennai, says, 'I'm a student until I die'

It's rare to see a Bollywood A-lister open up on the ongoing demonstrations by students at various educational institutes of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act. After Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, Anurag Kashyap and many other <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-richa-chadha-anubhav-sinha-other-bollywood-celebs-condemn-police-brutality-over-citizenship-law-268472">Bollywood actors and filmmakers spoke against police brutality</a> on students, Hrithik Roshan is the latest to join the list.

In a tweet, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hrithik-roshan-tops-uk-magazines-annual-sexiest-asian-male-list-266315">Hrithik </a>addressed the ongoing issue and wrote, "As a parent and a citizen of India, I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the words youngest democracy."

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As a parent and a citizen of india , I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the worlds youngest democracy.
— Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) <a href="https://twitter.com/iHrithik/status/1207269326941806592?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Hrithik, however, chose to steer clear of mentioning Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) -- the reason why students started protesting against, in the first place.&nbsp;

Noted personalities from the Malayalam film industry have also&nbsp;spoken up against the central government's decision to roll out the Citizenship Amendment Act.

Hollywood actor John Cusack also <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/solidarity-hollywood-star-john-cusack-tweets-in-support-of-student-protest-movement-268588">spoke against violence</a> as he shared viral videos of students being heckled and mistreated by the police.&nbsp;

It's rare to see a Bollywood A-lister open up on the ongoing demonstrations by students at various educational institutes of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

It's rare to see a Bollywood A-lister open up on the ongoing demonstrations by students at various educational institutes of the country against the Citizenship Amendment Act. After Rajkummar Rao, Vicky Kaushal, Taapsee Pannu, Anurag Kashyap and many other Bollywood actors and filmmakers spoke against police brutality on students, Hrithik Roshan is the latest to join the list. In a tweet, Hrithik addressed the ongoing issue and wrote, "As a parent and a citizen of India, I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the words youngest democracy." As a parent and a citizen of india , I am deeply saddened by the unrest across various educational institutions of our country. I hope and pray for peace to return as soon as possible. Great teachers learn from their students. I salute the worlds youngest democracy. — Hrithik Roshan (@iHrithik) December 18, 2019 × Hrithik, however, chose to steer clear of mentioning Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) -- the reason why students started protesting against, in the first place. Noted personalities from the Malayalam film industry have also spoken up against the central government's decision to roll out the Citizenship Amendment Act. Hollywood actor John Cusack also spoke against violence as he shared viral videos of students being heckled and mistreated by the police.

Hrithik Roshan breaks silence on student protests against CAA: Salute world's youngest democracy

A total of eight people have been arrested, while 2 cases have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Seelampur and Zafarabad areas of New Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

"We have a lot of video footage through which people are being identified. Strict action will be taken against those who will be found accused in this case," Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Alok Kumar said.

Meanwhile, police conducted flag march in Mustafabad and Ghonda areas of the National capital today.

"We want to give a message that strict action will be taken against those who try to disrupt law and order in the area. Section 144 has been imposed. The situation is completely under control and peaceful," Kumar said.

Earlier, RP Meena, the Additional DCP of the North-East Delhi had confirmed the arrest of six people, all of whom were locals, and said that multiple FIRs had been registered in Seelampur, Jafrabad, and Dayalpur areas of the National capital.

Protests escalated in Delhi on Sunday over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A total of eight people have been arrested, while 2 cases have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Seelampur and Zafarabad areas of New Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.

A total of eight people have been arrested, while 2 cases have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Seelampur and Zafarabad areas of New Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, Delhi Police said on Wednesday. "We have a lot of video footage through which people are being identified. Strict action will be taken against those who will be found accused in this case," Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police Alok Kumar said. Meanwhile, police conducted flag march in Mustafabad and Ghonda areas of the National capital today. "We want to give a message that strict action will be taken against those who try to disrupt law and order in the area. Section 144 has been imposed. The situation is completely under control and peaceful," Kumar said. Earlier, RP Meena, the Additional DCP of the North-East Delhi had confirmed the arrest of six people, all of whom were locals, and said that multiple FIRs had been registered in Seelampur, Jafrabad, and Dayalpur areas of the National capital. Protests escalated in Delhi on Sunday over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Anti-CAA protests: 8 arrested for violence in Delhi's Seelampur, Zafarabad areas

Tamil Nadu’s Opposition party DMK and their allies Congress, Left parties have been protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, over how it has been ignorant of the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils who are a persecuted minority in the island nation.&nbsp;

DMK leaders held protests in Chennai and various other districts against the Citizenship Act. Leading an agitation in Kanchipuram district, DMK President MK Stalin stated that the DMK would support the CAA if the Centre expanded its ambit and included Sri Lankan Tamils and Muslims.&nbsp;

“The Indian Constitution is secular and the government cannot enact any law that will discriminate against people based on religion. By excluding the Sri Lankan Tamils, the BJP has shown that it is not only against the Muslims, but also the Sri Lankan Tamils” Stalin said.&nbsp;

Speaking to reporters in Salem, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami hit back at the DMK and Stalin by saying that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had assured that the CAA does not threaten Indians living in India, irrespective of their religion.&nbsp;

“After the 2016 elections, Late CM Jayalalithaa had requested PM Modi regarding the provision of dual-citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils. After her demise, I had emphasized the same issue to our PM” he said.&nbsp;

Accusing Stalin of spreading lies and falsehoods, Palaniswami stated that, “In 2009 during the war in Sri Lanka, them CM Karunanidhi, whose DMK was in an alliance with the UPA government went on a hunger strike, to ensure that the war ended. However, he called off his hunger strike within an hour and announced publicly that the Sri Lankan Tamils need not worry. It was believing this assurance that the Sri Lankan Tamils came out of hiding, only to have been killed&nbsp;by the Lankan forces. Over 1.5lakh Tamis were killed as they came out of hiding after believing Karunanidhi.”

Palaniswami questioned the DMK on why they did not protest back then (in 2009) and raise their voice against the then Congress-led UPA government. He accused the DMK of being power-hungry as many in their family were hiding important Central government portfolios. “When they ruled as a part of the Central Government for 13 years, why didn’t they ensure citizenship for the Lankan Tamils ?”

Adding that DMK MPs Kanimozhi and TR Baalu had met former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse after the war and had accepted his gifts, the AIADMK leader slammed the DMK saying that they had no right to speak for the Sri Lankan Tamils.

Stating that there were over 59714 Sri Lankan Tamils living in 107 camps across Tamil Nadu, he added that they were being given government benefits on par with the people of Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, the DMK and its allies have decided to hold a rally against the CAA in Chennai city on Monday, December 23rd. Speaking to reporters DMK President MK Stalin said, “The CAA act must be revoked as it disrupts peace across the country. We want to know why Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils are being excluded ?”

The DMK leader also accused the 12 MPs from Tamil Nadu for having supported the bill in the Upper House of Parliament. “It was because of the 11 AIADMK MPs and lone PMK member that the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha”. He stated that Chief Minister Palaniswami was only obediently parroting the lines of the Prime Minister and Home Minister on CAA.&nbsp;

When asked about the allegations made by the Chief Minister about the DMK’s poor handling of the Sri Lankan war, Stalin said that he did not want to indulge in loose talk over such issues and that he wants to focus on the current issues, work towards a solution.

Tamil Nadu’s Opposition party DMK and their allies Congress, Left parties have been protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, over how it has been ignorant of the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils who are a persecuted minority in the island nation.

Tamil Nadu’s Opposition party DMK and their allies Congress, Left parties have been protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act 2019, over how it has been ignorant of the plight of Sri Lankan Tamils who are a persecuted minority in the island nation. DMK leaders held protests in Chennai and various other districts against the Citizenship Act. Leading an agitation in Kanchipuram district, DMK President MK Stalin stated that the DMK would support the CAA if the Centre expanded its ambit and included Sri Lankan Tamils and Muslims. “The Indian Constitution is secular and the government cannot enact any law that will discriminate against people based on religion. By excluding the Sri Lankan Tamils, the BJP has shown that it is not only against the Muslims, but also the Sri Lankan Tamils” Stalin said. Speaking to reporters in Salem, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami hit back at the DMK and Stalin by saying that the Prime Minister and Home Minister had assured that the CAA does not threaten Indians living in India, irrespective of their religion. “After the 2016 elections, Late CM Jayalalithaa had requested PM Modi regarding the provision of dual-citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamils. After her demise, I had emphasized the same issue to our PM” he said. Accusing Stalin of spreading lies and falsehoods, Palaniswami stated that, “In 2009 during the war in Sri Lanka, them CM Karunanidhi, whose DMK was in an alliance with the UPA government went on a hunger strike, to ensure that the war ended. However, he called off his hunger strike within an hour and announced publicly that the Sri Lankan Tamils need not worry. It was believing this assurance that the Sri Lankan Tamils came out of hiding, only to have been killed by the Lankan forces. Over 1.5lakh Tamis were killed as they came out of hiding after believing Karunanidhi.” Palaniswami questioned the DMK on why they did not protest back then (in 2009) and raise their voice against the then Congress-led UPA government. He accused the DMK of being power-hungry as many in their family were hiding important Central government portfolios. “When they ruled as a part of the Central Government for 13 years, why didn’t they ensure citizenship for the Lankan Tamils ?” Adding that DMK MPs Kanimozhi and TR Baalu had met former Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapakse after the war and had accepted his gifts, the AIADMK leader slammed the DMK saying that they had no right to speak for the Sri Lankan Tamils. Stating that there were over 59714 Sri Lankan Tamils living in 107 camps across Tamil Nadu, he added that they were being given government benefits on par with the people of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the DMK and its allies have decided to hold a rally against the CAA in Chennai city on Monday, December 23rd. Speaking to reporters DMK President MK Stalin said, “The CAA act must be revoked as it disrupts peace across the country. We want to know why Muslims and Sri Lankan Tamils are being excluded ?” The DMK leader also accused the 12 MPs from Tamil Nadu for having supported the bill in the Upper House of Parliament. “It was because of the 11 AIADMK MPs and lone PMK member that the bill was passed in the Rajya Sabha”. He stated that Chief Minister Palaniswami was only obediently parroting the lines of the Prime Minister and Home Minister on CAA. When asked about the allegations made by the Chief Minister about the DMK’s poor handling of the Sri Lankan war, Stalin said that he did not want to indulge in loose talk over such issues and that he wants to focus on the current issues, work towards a solution.

Citizenship Amendment Act not a threat to Indians, irrespective of their religion: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami

With protests erupting against the amended Citizenship Act in different parts of the country, actor and singer Farhan Akhtar on Wednesday announced that he will take part in a demonstration against the law tomorrow.&nbsp; 
 
The actor took to Twitter on Wednesday and said that the time to protest on social media is now over. <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/anurag-kashyap-richa-chadha-anubhav-sinha-other-bollywood-celebs-condemn-police-brutality-over-citizenship-law-268472">Also see: Bollywood celebrities who extended their support to the student led&nbsp;anti-CAA protest</a> 
 
"Here`s what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai.&nbsp; 
The time to protest on social media alone is over," read Akhtar`s tweet.

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Here’s what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over. <a href="https://t.co/lwkyMCHk2v">pic.twitter.com/lwkyMCHk2v</a>
— Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) <a href="https://twitter.com/FarOutAkhtar/status/1207143874138910720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2019</a></blockquote>
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Alongside the tweet, he shared a graphic describing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). 
Other celebrities like Konkona Sen Sharma, Mahesh Bhatt and Sushant Singh have also joined the protests against the amended Citizenship Act.&nbsp;

With protests erupting against the amended Citizenship Act in different parts of the country, actor and singer Farhan Akhtar on Wednesday announced that he will take part in a demonstration against the law tomorrow.

With protests erupting against the amended Citizenship Act in different parts of the country, actor and singer Farhan Akhtar on Wednesday announced that he will take part in a demonstration against the law tomorrow. The actor took to Twitter on Wednesday and said that the time to protest on social media is now over. Also see: Bollywood celebrities who extended their support to the student led anti-CAA protest "Here`s what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over," read Akhtar`s tweet. Here’s what you need to know about why these protests are important. See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over. pic.twitter.com/lwkyMCHk2v — Farhan Akhtar (@FarOutAkhtar) December 18, 2019 × Alongside the tweet, he shared a graphic describing the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). Other celebrities like Konkona Sen Sharma, Mahesh Bhatt and Sushant Singh have also joined the protests against the amended Citizenship Act.

Farhan Akhtar to join protest in Mumbai against CAA

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stall the implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act that lays out a path for non-Muslim minorities from some neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan to apply for Indian citizenship, despite violent protests across the country.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday refused to stall the implementation of Citizenship (Amendment) Act that lays out a path for non-Muslim minorities from some neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan to apply for Indian citizenship, despite violent protests across the country. A Bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant refused to stay the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The court also issued a notice to the Centre on a batch of pleas challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The apex court has asked the Centre to file it response by the second week of January. The apex court said it would hear petitions challenging the law on January 22. The petitioners argue that it violates India's secular constitution.

Supreme Court refuses to stall implementation of CAA, issues notice to Centre  

The world is watching the violence that has erupted after the passing of Citizenship Act in Indian Parliament. The reactions received from all over the world are not favourable. A UN agency has termed the new law 'fundamentally discriminatory'. #CAAProtest #CAB #CitizenshipLaw

India's new citizenship law sparks protest, gets global responses

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BJP by unilaterally announcing NRC has created a situation whereby people are not willing to believe an IOTA of what the government is saying about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In fact, CAA is being associated with NRC which has not even been conceived on the paper.

The question is whether NRC is an ideological exercise or simple administrative drive to map the population of the country. Absence of clarity on it has led to campus violence across the country and widespread condemnation of the legislative exercise.

The most important aspect of the protest is that they are leaderless. It is for this reason, the government must have a dialogue with people even if it feels that anger is misplaced. It will help the Centre bypass political actors who are stoking violence in the name of rights.

The impression is that Centre wants to turn NRC into an electoral issue which would ultimately lead to harassment of 14 crore Muslims. This argument has become central to the protests cutting across universities in India. CAA instead of accommodating persecuted minorities, has turned into a debate on changing the character of the Constitution. It must be contested and clarified.

Another notable point is that it is not the first time that campus violence has erupted on ideological issues during Modi’s tenure. It has happened thrice before. The only difference between the previous protests and the present outcry is that the latter has galvanised the entire Muslim community.

Rohith Vemula suicide case, JNU Kashmir protest and FTII were used by the Opposition to mobilise opinion against Narendra Modi but in all 3 cases, a strong counter polarisation took place.

TheBJP was able to escape with the issue of nationalism in the case of JNU. In FTII case, it was able to garner support from Bollywood and divide it vertically on ideological lines whereas in the case of Vemula, Narendra Modi’s strong Dalit pitch resulted in the split of Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh leading to BJP’s sweep in the assembly elections. Many senior politicians ran towards campus to own&nbsp;the campaign. This is missing in the 4th campaign.

None of the mainstream politicians went to Jamia fearing that photographs with the Muslims community would further polarise the debate. Even Priyanka Gandhi went to India Gate and sat on a dharna on the issue of CAA. Rahul Gandhi too extended support only via Twitter and the rest of politicians have chosen to meet the President of India. So, despite the support, mainstream political parties, except Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, have kept a distance from campus protests.&nbsp;

But, BJP must understand that countering Muslim exceptionalism in policies is one thing, and to marginalise them as ‘political’ citizens is another. It is not possible for any nation to have a disgruntled population of 14 crore.

Though, BJP is right in saying that all the decisions were passed by Parliament and kept in public domain from 2016 onwards. The issue even figured in the party’s manifesto, and hence, BJP cannot be blamed for pushing an agenda without letting the world know. But even then, the party needs to nuance the message.&nbsp;

This brings us to the last aspect of the issue which is illegal immigration in the country. Centre will need to readdress it's strategy wherein the policy of identifying illegal immigrants does not turn into a witch hunt. During the infamous Emergency, the family control drive by Congress led to a severe political backlash for Indira Gandhi. Centre needs to be mindful of the issue.&nbsp;

The call for nationwide NRC has even impacted the court-authored drive of NRC in Assam which was born out of Assam Accord authored by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The North East continues to suffer illegal immigration from Bangladesh. The illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims immigration is a real problem for India. It impacts demography and creates electoral anomalies. Illegal immigrants have changed the shape of constituencies in North East, West Bengal and even deep inside Jharkhand.

But the argument of a national NRC has rattled the minorities. BJP will need to soothe the frayed nerves.&nbsp; 
 
(Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

BJP by unilaterally announcing NRC has created a situation whereby people are not willing to believe an IOTA of what the government is saying about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

BJP by unilaterally announcing NRC has created a situation whereby people are not willing to believe an IOTA of what the government is saying about the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). In fact, CAA is being associated with NRC which has not even been conceived on the paper. The question is whether NRC is an ideological exercise or simple administrative drive to map the population of the country. Absence of clarity on it has led to campus violence across the country and widespread condemnation of the legislative exercise. The most important aspect of the protest is that they are leaderless. It is for this reason, the government must have a dialogue with people even if it feels that anger is misplaced. It will help the Centre bypass political actors who are stoking violence in the name of rights. The impression is that Centre wants to turn NRC into an electoral issue which would ultimately lead to harassment of 14 crore Muslims. This argument has become central to the protests cutting across universities in India. CAA instead of accommodating persecuted minorities, has turned into a debate on changing the character of the Constitution. It must be contested and clarified. Another notable point is that it is not the first time that campus violence has erupted on ideological issues during Modi’s tenure. It has happened thrice before. The only difference between the previous protests and the present outcry is that the latter has galvanised the entire Muslim community. Rohith Vemula suicide case, JNU Kashmir protest and FTII were used by the Opposition to mobilise opinion against Narendra Modi but in all 3 cases, a strong counter polarisation took place. TheBJP was able to escape with the issue of nationalism in the case of JNU. In FTII case, it was able to garner support from Bollywood and divide it vertically on ideological lines whereas in the case of Vemula, Narendra Modi’s strong Dalit pitch resulted in the split of Dalit votes in Uttar Pradesh leading to BJP’s sweep in the assembly elections. Many senior politicians ran towards campus to own the campaign. This is missing in the 4th campaign. None of the mainstream politicians went to Jamia fearing that photographs with the Muslims community would further polarise the debate. Even Priyanka Gandhi went to India Gate and sat on a dharna on the issue of CAA. Rahul Gandhi too extended support only via Twitter and the rest of politicians have chosen to meet the President of India. So, despite the support, mainstream political parties, except Mamata Banerjee-led TMC, have kept a distance from campus protests. But, BJP must understand that countering Muslim exceptionalism in policies is one thing, and to marginalise them as ‘political’ citizens is another. It is not possible for any nation to have a disgruntled population of 14 crore. Though, BJP is right in saying that all the decisions were passed by Parliament and kept in public domain from 2016 onwards. The issue even figured in the party’s manifesto, and hence, BJP cannot be blamed for pushing an agenda without letting the world know. But even then, the party needs to nuance the message. This brings us to the last aspect of the issue which is illegal immigration in the country. Centre will need to readdress it's strategy wherein the policy of identifying illegal immigrants does not turn into a witch hunt. During the infamous Emergency, the family control drive by Congress led to a severe political backlash for Indira Gandhi. Centre needs to be mindful of the issue. The call for nationwide NRC has even impacted the court-authored drive of NRC in Assam which was born out of Assam Accord authored by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. The North East continues to suffer illegal immigration from Bangladesh. The illegal Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims immigration is a real problem for India. It impacts demography and creates electoral anomalies. Illegal immigrants have changed the shape of constituencies in North East, West Bengal and even deep inside Jharkhand. But the argument of a national NRC has rattled the minorities. BJP will need to soothe the frayed nerves. (Views expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

CAA and NRC protests: Addressing concerns of protesters a must for government

Watch in WION Dispatch: Protest in East Delhi turns violent over CAA. Watch this video as WION's Principle Diplomatic Siddhant Sibbal tells you more on this. #WIONDispatch #WION

WION Dispatch: Protest in East Delhi turns violent over CAA

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U.N. Agency Calls India's Citizenship Amendment Act 'Fundamentally Discriminatory'. #Gravitas #CAA #NRC #India #Delhi

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