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The police in a number of States, especially those ruled by the BJP, have cracked down on the protesters, detaining any of them and in some cases, taking them to undisclosed locations.

19 Dec 2019

Tens of thousands of people across the country are participating in mass protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act which was passed by parliament recently. The protests are being led by the Left parties and many other organisations and people’s movements. The police in a number of States, especially those ruled by the BJP, have cracked down on the protesters, detaining any of them and in some cases, taking them to undisclosed locations. Ahead of the protests, Section 144 of the IPC was imposed in the whole of Uttar Pradesh and in many cities.

Live blog

Update 21

14:56 IST, Dec 19

Pictures from Himachal Pradesh where students have taken to the streets against CAA.

Update 22

15:12 IST, Dec 19

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists, who were protesting against CAA in Theni in Tamil Nadu, have been detained by the police.

Update 23

15:25 IST, Dec 19

Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau Member of the CPI(M) had also been detained today in Delhi

Update 24

15:51 IST, Dec 19

A Delhi High Court bench has declined interim protection to the students of Jamia Millia Islamia from coercive action including arrest. Lawyers chanted "shame shame" following this development, reported PTI. The Court, however, has issued a notice to the Centre, the Delhi government and the police on a PIL seeking setting up of a fact-finding committee to look into the violence at the university during protests against the CAA.

Update 25

15:55 IST, Dec 19

Nineteen IndiGo flights were cancelled and 16 others were delayed as crew members were stuck in the traffic jam at NH-8 due to anti-CAA protests on Thursday, a Delhi airport official said, reported PTI. Three airlines -- Vistara, Air India and IndiGo -- announced that their passengers, who are stuck in traffic due to anti-CAA protests at various parts of Delhi, will be adjusted in subsequent flights.

Update 26

16:13 IST, Dec 19

In Hyderabad, a protest against CAA has begun at People's Plaza on Necklace road, reported The Wire. In the morning, police had detained people who were on their way to a protest site in Nampally, including students from the University of Hyderabad. They have been released.

Update 27

16:21 IST, Dec 19

Gauhati High Court has directed Assam government to restore mobile internet services by 5 pm today, reported Live Law.

Update 28

16:24 IST, Dec 19

Photo from Lucknow where people have gathered to Say no to CAA

Update 29

16:26 IST, Dec 19

"We are united. No effort will break India's secular character and its pluralism will succeed. We cannot be silenced," Aparna Sen was quoted as saying by PTI. The veteran actor-filmmaker participated in a rally in Kolkata today against the controversial CAA.

Update 30

16:31 IST, Dec 19

Thousands of protesters continue to raise slogans at Jantar Mantar to oppose CAA. Hundreds of detainees who were picked up by the Delhi Police and released at faraway places in the capital have made their way back to the protest site.

Update 31

16:42 IST, Dec 19

Protest against CAA in Salem by left parties: Protesters were forced to resort to rasta roko after the police denied permission to protest. Many protesters have been detained.

Update 32

16:52 IST, Dec 19

Earlier today, students and people belonging to the Muslim community offered namaz outside Jamia Millia Islamia as others formed a human chain around them, sending a message of communal harmony.

Update 33

17:03 IST, Dec 19

People from across states and communities have united to oppose the newly introduced law, which grants citizenship on the basis of religion. Many have called it 'an attack on Indian Constitution'. Protesters at Jantar Mantar hold placards to show their opposition.

Update 34

17:43 IST, Dec 19

Braving the dipping mercury, a large number of protesters have gathered at Jantar Mantar; more continue to arrive as the metro stations around the site of the protest have now been opened.

Update 35

17:54 IST, Dec 19

As the crowd continues to swell at Jantar Mantar, the police have appealed to protesters to conclude their demonstration. A police official reportedly told the protesters, "Aap ka time poora ho gaya hai (Your time is over)".

Update 36

18:00 IST, Dec 19

The police have opened fire on the protesters in Mangaluru, reported Mirror Now.

Update 37

18:01 IST, Dec 19

According to Mirror Now, at least 50 protesters have been detained in Hyderabad.

Update 38

18:07 IST, Dec 19

As the protests against CAA turned violent in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath has called for a high-level meeting; has summoned the DGP. The police had resorted to lathi charge after the protesters reportedly pelted stones. Police vehicles were torched by the protesters, who reportedly even targeted journalists covering the protest.

Update 39

18:30 IST, Dec 19

Mumbai remains one of the few cities where Section 144 was not imposed in order to deter the protesters. While the capital city of Maharashtra witnessed both pro and anti-CAA protests, those opposing the discriminatory law gathered in huge numbers at August Kranti Maidan. The Mumbai police made elaborate arrangements for the protest so that roads could be pedestrian-friendly and no vehicles are allowed, reported Mumbai Mirror.

Update 40

18:35 IST, Dec 19

According to those present at the August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai, the number of anti-CAA protesters crossed 1 lakh. The protest also saw several Hindi film actors including Farhan Akhtar, Huma Qureshi and Jim Sarbh attending.

Image credit: Bilal Zaidi