Protests have been planned against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in more than 10 cities across India.
The protests will be staged on Thursday, reports Scroll.in.
However, Delhi police have refused to grant permission for protests against the CAA.
Mobile internet suspended in parts of Delhi. Total Kashmir feels. Normalcy is spreading. One nation one internet blackout. From Kashmir to Kanyakumari democracy will be detained.
— Shivam Vij (@DilliDurAst) December 19, 2019
In a tweet earlier in the day, Delhi police said: "Permission has not been granted for the protest march to be held by communist party from Mandi House to JantarMantar over The Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC at 12 pm today.”
According to NDTV, huge traffic jams were witnessed in many parts of the Indian capital, including the Delhi-Gurgaon border, in the morning.
Delhi police also barricaded most of the roads and imposed vehicular restrictions to clamp down on planned protests.
Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 13, 2019 | AFPAccording to sources, the restrictions were imposed under Section 144 of the CrPC near Red Fort area in central Delhi.
In view of the protests, two states ruled by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-- Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh governments-- have also banned large gatherings under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on Thursday.
On Wednesday, India's Supreme Court turned down a plea to stop the implementation of a new citizenship law based on religion that has set off violent protests in India, but said it would hold hearings next month on the sweeping measure on January 22.
Traffic Alert :-
— Gurugram Traffic Police (@TrafficGGM) December 19, 2019
Traffic congestion has been reported at Delhi-Gurugram border on NH 48 due to barricading by Delhi Police. @TrafficGGM is on the spot to facilitate the traffic. Inconvenience caused is highly regretted. @gurgaonpolice . pic.twitter.com/5R0TcHf8Rc
The petitioners argue that religion cannot be the basis of granting citizenship to undocumented migrants. The new law, they say, is against the secular principles of India's constitution, reports Al Jazeera.
India's main opposition Congress party and the Asom Gana Parishad party, an ally of the ruling BJP in Assam state, are among those who have filed the petitions.
My mother is a Hindu, my biological father was a Christian, my adopted father - a Muslim. In all official documents, my religion status stays blank. Does religion determine I am an Indian? It never did and I hope it never does. #OneIndia #India
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) December 18, 2019
The CAA makes it easier for non-Muslims from the neighbouring countries of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who settled in India prior to 2015, to gain Indian citizenship, reports Reuters.
Thousands of people have protested, saying the law is anti-Muslim and the latest in a series of measures by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government to marginalize the community.
1️⃣ Uttar Pradesh: Section 144
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 19, 2019
2️⃣ Bengaluru+: Section 144
3️⃣ Delhi: Protest permission denied + restrictions
4️⃣ Hyderabad: Protest permissions denied
5️⃣ Chennai: Protest permissions revoked
6️⃣ Ahmedabad: Protest permission denied#CAAProtests #bangaloreprotest
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday said: “There are three to four crore non-Muslims in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan,” Kejriwal said in an interview.
“If they come to the country, who will give them jobs, where will you make them stay? Will you give them housing in Delhi, Mumbai, Assam, Tripura? Today, there is unemployment everywhere. Our first priority should be to provide employment to our youth. We want to give it to Afghans, Bangladeshis and Pakistanis,” he added.
