In Pictures: Rallies for and against Citizenship Act in Mumbai and Pune

On Friday evening, a huge crowd gathered outside Old Delhi’s Jama Masjid after the Friday prayers to protest against the new citizenship law, including Congress leader Alka Lamba and former Delhi MLA Shoaib Iqbal. Meanwhile, in Uttar Pradesh, security has been beefed up and patrolling intensified even as internet services continued to remain suspended in 21 districts in the wake of widespread protests against the citizenship law.

December 27, 2019 20:22 IST

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Amid the ongoing turmoil over the Citizenship Amendment Act, Mumbai saw two rallies on Friday — one against the amended Citizenship Act and another in favour of the new law. Students and activists gathered at Azad Maidan to voice against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), while BJP’s Sanvidan Sanman Manch drew a massive crowd at August Kranti Maidan supporting the controversial law. (Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)

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The rally in support of the CAA at the August Kranti Maidan saw supporters carrying national flags along with placards with pro-CAA and NRC messages and shouting slogans. They were also carrying photographs of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Big photographs of V D Savarkar, Mahatama Jyotiba Fule, Bharatmata and Shahu Maharaj were displayed on stage. (Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)

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Meanwhile, in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, student activists from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh gathered at the ground to participate in the 'Inquilab Morcha' to raise their voice against the citizenship act, National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). The protest had been curtailed to demonstrate at Azad Maidan in south Mumbai after the police denied permission. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

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On the other hand, in Pune, protesters supporting the Bhim Army burnt the copy of the Citizenship Act during a protest organised at Mangalwar Peth in Pune. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

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BJP national general secretary Ram Madhav attributed incidents of violence over Citizenship Amendment Act as "political and communal conspiracy", alleging that opposition parties along with some communal forces were making false propaganda about the CAA. "You have seen brutal attacks on ordinary police constabulary at different places during the violent agitation,’’ the BJP leader said, adding that political parties should ask people to desist from such actions as police are performing their duty. (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

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While addressing a protest rally in Mumbai's Azad Maidan, All India Democratic Women's Association president Malini Bhattacharya said, "The Narendra Modi-led government is working against the Indian Constitution. It has unleashed a reign of terror instead of addressing the basic rights of the poor people. The government is operating on hatred and inflicting atrocities on the people. In such a situation, women's hardships have multiplied. And we have to show greater resolve to fight against this government. Women have to unite in this fight across the nation." (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

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On the other hand, Union Home Minister Amit Shah Friday challenged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to show him a single line in the Act regarding the withdrawal of anyone’s citizenship. While addressing a rally at Shimla’s Ridge Maidan to mark the second anniversary of the BJP government in the state, Shah said, “The Congress and company is spreading rumours that Muslims may lose their citizenship.” (Express Photo by Arul Horizon)

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Shah challenged Rahul Gandhi and said, “I challenge Rahul Baba that let me know if there is even a single line in the Act regarding the withdrawal of anyone’s citizenship. Don’t misguide and divide people over the CAA". He also urged the minorities, especially Muslims, to go through the Citizenship Act, which is now available on the government website. “Go through the Act. No one will lose citizenship,” Shah said. (Express Photo by Arun Horizon)