Mumbai Says ‘Yes’ to CAA at August Kranti, ‘No Way’ at Azad Maidan

Anti-CAA protest in Mumbai’s Azaad Maidan

(Photo: PTI)

Mumbai on Friday, 27 December, witnessed rallies for and against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens. While a fresh protest against CAA and NRC was held at Azad Maidan, with participants carrying anti-government banners, a pro-CAA rally was held at the August Kranti Maidan.

Just a week back, on 19 December, August Kranti Maidan witnessed an anti-CAA demonstration with a reported turnout of over 1.5 lakh people.

At Azad Maidan

At Azad Maidan, a protester said this was a "faceless government", adding the Act is aimed "not against just one community but against the whole country."

“This is an authoritarian regime. It thinks they can do anything. It is this government’s responsibility to protect and not oppose the Constitution.”

Nikita Pathak, student, as quoted by PTI at Azad Maidan

(Photo: Meghnad Bose/The Quint)

(Photo: Meghnad Bose/The Quint)

(Photo: Meghnad Bose/The Quint)

Protesters participate in a rally to oppose CAA and NRC, organised by Joint Action Committee for Social Justice, at Azad Maidan in Mumbai on 27 December. 

In view of the protest, the city traffic police had put in place several diversions and parking restrictions in south Mumbai.

The protest march was initially supposed to be held from Byculla to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST). But after discussions with the Mumbai Police, permission was provided by the cops for a demonstration at Azad Maidan instead.

At August Kranti Maidan

Meanwhile, the August Kranti Maidan rally was organised by BJP's ‘Sanvidan Sanman Manch', which has been organising such rallies in various parts of the city.

One such rally in support of CAA and NRC was organised at Dadar last week. Among those who attended Friday’s rally was former Maharashtra CM and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis.

(Photo: ANI)

(Photo: ANI)

Addressing the rally, Fadnavis, now leader of Opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, said the large presence at the rally indicated "massive support" for the Act.

"The Opposition parties are spreading rumours and misinformation (about CAA, NRC)," Fadnavis said.

The leaders who are saying that the Act will not be implemented in their states do not respect the Constitution, the BJP leader further said, reported PTI.

(With inputs from PTI.)