From Section 144 Being Implemented To Detaining Protestors, Everything Happening In India

Today, the 19th of December, 2019 was the day that the people of the country declared a nation-wide protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) that was recently passed by the government. They are also standing in solidarity with the students of Jamia Milia Islamia University against the police brutality on the campus. Citizens from the North East are asking for the CAA to be repealed too as it violates the Assam Accord and grants non-Muslim immigrants (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) from three countries Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan fast-tracked citizenship. 

Along with the NRC, the National Register of Citizens which is a citizenship list that is part of the government’s effort to identify and weed out people it claims are illegal immigrants in the northeast state of Assam. By relaxing the conditions for citizenship for members of the six communities mentioned, the CAA gives them a second chance to claim citizenship. However, the Home Minister, Amit Shah has announced that the NRC will soon be implemented in the entire country. Putting Muslims all over the country who have lack of documentary evidence required for the NRC at risk. 

Similar fears also extend to other groups like Sri Lankan Tamil refugees who have been residing in Tamil Nadu for decades and are not covered by the latest amendments. And the Rohingyas, an ethnic group facing genocidal violence in their home country of Myanmar, who also are excluded from the CAA. In fact, Shah has explicitly asserted that Rohingya refugees will never be granted citizenship in this country.

Firstpost

Looking at the mass protests, the government has declared Section 144 in many parts of New Delhi, Bengaluru and Uttar Pradesh.

Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) basically allows the administration technically a district magistrate or any other executive magistrate – to issue an order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger. Personal liberties of individuals get suspended and the fundamental rights of people to assemble peacefully without arms under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution are curtailed by the administration if the executive magistrate finds the situation at any specified place presenting a potential to disturbance in law and order.

Once it is imposed in any area, all civilians are barred from carrying of weapons of any kind including lathis, sharp-edged metallic objects or firearms in public places. Police or other security personnel are the only ones allowed to carry weapons in areas placed under Section 144. Violation of this is liable for punishment for up to three years in jail. 

One thing to note is that Section 144 is different from curfew. In the areas where curfew is imposed, all public activity is barred. Civilian traffic is also stopped. Curfew warrants a much graver situation posing a bigger danger of rioting and violence. The rule is that Section 144 is imposed for two months but can be withdrawn any time the administration finds the situation has attained normalcy. The government may extend the duration of the restriction imposed under Section 144 beyond two months but not exceeding six months in one stretch.

CNN

Internet and cellphone services have been suspended in many parts of the capital.

Airtel users were the first to notice that the internet services weren’t working. Tweeople asked the company why was it so and the company confirmed that the government had asked them to suspend services in that area for the time being.

Vodafone too confirmed the same when a user on Twitter asked them what the situation was.

Here is what people on Twitter are saying about the internet being shut.

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Protestors and students who have come out on the roads are being detained.

In Bengaluru, historian, and author of India After Gandhi, Ramachandra Guha got manhandled and detained even though he was protesting alone. A video of it has gone viral on the internet. “I am protesting non-violently, but look they are stopping us,” said Guha before being surrounded by police.

Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav today announced that he is among thousands who have been picked up by the police for protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act in New Delhi, and said he was “honoured” to be detained.

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Here is what people are saying on Twitter about the protests:

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Hindus and Sikhs form a human chain as Muslims pray in JMU.

Chants of Azadi rock the nation

Protestors are giving roses to the cops stationed there.

It’s heartwarming to see so many people turn up on the streets and stand in solidarity. We hope that the protestors remain non-violent and don’t incite violence either. Making your voice heard is a democratic right and no one can take that away from us.

Featured Image: Firstpost

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