New Delhi: "CAB will destroy brotherhood," said protestors who gathered at Jantar Mantar, in the heart of the national capital to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill (CAB) on Friday. The protest was called by Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (JUH).
Wearing black bands, carrying national flag, people from various parts of Delhi reached Jantar Mantar in morning. They were shouting slogans like, "Take back CAB, we don't need CAB". Delhi Maulana, Mahmood Madani, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind while addressing the protest demonstration said that this law is against the Constitution of India which denies discrimination on the basis of religion. He exhorted the Muslim youths to maintain peace and tranquillity.
16-year-old Faisal Dilkash, a resident of Ajmeri Gate had come with his friends. "Why should I prove my nationality," he said. Another man, Mohammad Naushad told Millennium Post that the government should listen to the voice of the public. Meanwhile, several people were holding placards that read 'Save Constitution, withdraw black law CAB, CAB is against brotherhood, don't divide the nation'. Mohammad Shahnaz, a resident of Delhi-6 claimed that the Bill is central government's divide and rule policy. Irshad Ahmad, a resident of Seelampur said," Don't divide people on the basis of caste, creed and religion."
Maulana Mahmood Madani exhorted the Muslim youths to maintain peace and tranquillity. He said, "This is a temporary phase of hardship and soon the Muslim community will wriggle out of it." He also said that to live a life of dignity we have to display courage as well as patience. "We condemn this communal law and CAB means conspiracy against India," another protestor said. Maulana Niaz Ahmad Farooqui, Secretary JUH, while addressing demonstrators said that though the bill has been passed by both houses of Parliament, the battle has just begun.
Anil Mittal, Additional PRO (Delhi Police) said, "There was a scheduled protest at Jantar Mantar on Friday. Since the place was already saturated with people beyond the permissible number of 1000, the protesters who were coming from different parts of the city to gather at Jantar Mantar were advised not to proceed to Jantar Mantar." In this process, some protesters who were coming from Central Delhi were stopped at Ranjeet Singh Flyover, and were dispersed peacefully.