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Thu, 19 December 2019
Real tukde-tukde gang sitting in Delhi: Guha
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23:31 Real tukde-tukde gang sitting in Delhi: Guha
The real tukde-tukde gang are the rulers of India sitting in Delhi, said historian Ramachandra Guha.
Speaking to India Today TV, Ramachandra Guha said that the people sitting in Delhi are the "real batwara" people.
"The real tukde-tukde gang are the rulers of India sitting in Delhi. They are real batwara people. They are dividing the country not just on religion but also on language and we will resist them non-violently," Ramachandra Guha said.
Ramachandra Guha was on Thursday detained on Thursday for staging a demonstration against the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC at the Town Hall in Bengaluru in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed in Bengaluru.
On being asked about his detention, Ramachandra Guha said he was not violating Section 144 which was in place in Bengaluru.
"I was not violating section 144. There was absolutely no reason to impose Section 144. It was a completely knee-jerk and exaggerated reaction that I suspect came from Delhi. Delhi ordering Bengaluru what to do," Ramachandra Guha said.
He further said Section 144 was a colonial-era law and was used to suppress the non-violent struggle of our freedom movement.
23:20 Places where there's a clampdown on the internet
Mobile internet services have been suspended in Prayagraj till 10 am tomorrow.
In Mangaluru, and Dakshin Kannada districts of Karnataka, mobile internet services have been suspended for 48 hours.
Internet services have been suspended in Ghaziabad for 24 hours from 10 pm today to 10 pm on December 20 in view of the protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Mobile internet services will be restored on Friday in Assam , says state minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
23:01 Rajinikanth expresses concern over violence in the country
Superstar Rajinikanth on Thursday expressed concern over violence in various parts of the country over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, saying violence and rioting cannot be a way to find solution to any issue.
Though the actor did specify any incident, he said "the ongoing violence gives me great pain."
"Violence and rioting should not become a way to find solution for any issue. I request the people of India to stay united and vigilant keeping in mind the nation's security and welfare, " he said in a tweet.
"The ongoing violence gives me great pain," he added.
The actor's statement comes on a day when Uttar Pradesh and Karnataka were rocked by violence during protests against the amended Citizenship Act, with two persons being killed in Mangaluru in police firing.
In Lucknow, anti-CAA protesters went berserk in parts of the city, hurling stones and damaging police outposts and a number of vehicles mainly in the Old City areas of the Uttar Pradesh capital, forcing police to use tear-gas shells to control the situation.
A man died of a firearm injury while passing by a demonstration, but police denied the death was linked to police action.
-- PTI
22:20 Russia issues travel advisory amid CAA protests
With anti-CAA protests fanning out across the nation, the Russian government on Thursday advised its citizens who are in India or planning to visit the country to be "vigilant, cautious, avoid crowds and refrain from visiting areas controlled by protestors".
Last week, several countries including the US, UK, Israel, Canada and Singapore, had asked their citizens to exercise caution while travelling to the Northeastern states in India, which have been witnessing violent protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019.
On Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia said on Twitter, "Russian nationals currently in India or planning to visit the country soon are advised to be vigilant and cautious, avoid crowds and refrain from visiting areas controlled by protestors. Follow our updates."
The US Embassy in New Delhi on December 14 had listed out precautions for its citizens visiting the northeastern states, asking them to avoid areas with "demonstrations and civil disturbances", to be aware of their surroundings, and to keep a "low profile" among others.
The UK government last week updated its travel advisory for India to warn its citizens against visiting the states in the Northeast.
Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs last week issued a travel notice for Northeast India, advising Singaporeans travelling there to "exercise vigilance and caution".
Canada had advised its citizens on December 13 to avoid "non-essential" travel to Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Nagaland due to the protests.
Israel last week warned its citizens to "completely avoid" going to Assam because of violent protests.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry also warned against going to other states in the area due to the possibility of the violent protests spreading around.
-- PTI
21:58 2 dead in firing during CAA stir in Mangaluru
Two persons were killed in police firing on Thursday as protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, turned violent, police said.
Police sources said protesters attempted to lay siege to the Mangalore North police station and tried to attack police personnel, following which force was used to disperse them.
Two persons received bullet injuries in police firing and they later succumbed at a hospital, police confirmed.
The deceased were identified as Jaleel Kudroli (49) and Nausheen (23).
-- PTI
21:32 Jamia website hacked
The website of Jamia Millia Islamia was hacked on Thursday and a message supporting the students in their protest against the amended citizenship law posted on it.
The message on the site read, "Hacked by Dark Knight to support Jamia students.. Jai Hind!"
-- PTI
21:16 2 seriously injured in violence during protest in Mangaluru
Two persons were seriously injured during the protest opposing the Citizenship Amendment Act and undergoing treatment in the intensive care unit of an hospital in Mangaluru, police said on Thursday.
Mangaluru city police Commissioner P S Harsha said as there was an attack on the police, they had to use force.
"Two are seriously injured on the civilian side and until the last information that I have got they are under going treatment at the ICU," Harsha said.
Speaking to reporters, he said about 20 police personnel, including DCP (Law and Order) and DCP (Crime) have also received severe injuries.
-- PTI
20:56 MHA meeting to review security situation didn't take place: Officials
A meeting that was supposed to be held for reviewing the security situation in the country on Thursday evening did not take place, officials said.
The reason for not holding the meeting is not immediately known, they said.
The Home Ministry has been closely monitoring the situation in the country in the wake of the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
-- PTI
20:43 CAA stir: 1 dead, 3 hurt in 'firing' in Lucknow
One person died, three suffered injuries during firing in Lucknow today as police struggled to contain the fallout of the amended citizenship law.
A source said that it is yet not cleared whether the injury was caused due to police firing or stray firing.
At Lucknow's Parivartan Chowk, close to the district magistrate's office, police faced brickbats. The gates of the nearby KD Singh metro station were shut to prevent more protesters from gathering at Parivartan Chowk.
Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in the national capital on Thursday, the Delhi Police said.
Besides police personnel, 52 companies of other forces, including the Rapid Action Force, were deployed to maintain law and order, Delhi Police Public Relation Officer Mandeep Singh Randhawa said.
20:05 Common documents, no pre-1971 papers for NRC
Seeking to allay citizenship concerns of a large number of people, government sources said on Thursday that one can prove Indian nationality by submitting any document related to his date of birth and its place, and there will be "absolutely no compulsion" to submit any document by his parents during any such exercise.
An explainer shared by official sources said no document will be required for anybody's pre-1971 genealogy as such a condition was specific to the NRC exercise in Assam and asserted that it will be sufficient to provide one's details of birth like date and place in any future nationwide NRC.
The clarification comes in the wake of allegations from opposition parties and civic groups that the amended citizenship law and the proposed National Register of Citizens are divisive and discriminatory against Muslims.
Protests have been going on in various parts of the country against the law.
Sources said the NRC, as and when it is implemented, has nothing to do with any religion and will be for every citizen of India as it is a citizen register in which names of every Indian will be recorded.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act is a separate law and the NRC is a separate process, they said, adding that the CAA has come into force nationwide after its passage from Parliament, while the NRC rules and procedures for the country are yet to be decided.
The explainer said if somebody is "illiterate" and has no documents, witness and community verification will be allowed during any such exercise to ensure that no Indian citizen is troubled.
Citizenship can be proved by submitting any documents related to date of birth and place of birth, it said, adding that a decision is yet to be taken on such acceptable documents.
"This is likely to include voter cards, passports, Aadhaar, licenses, insurance papers, birth certificates, school leaving certificates, documents relating to land or home or other similar documents issued by government officials. The list is likely to include more documents so that no Indian citizen has to suffer unnecessarily," it said.
The explainer said the NRC is merely a normal process to register one's name in the citizens' register.
Just like people present their identity cards or any other document for registering names in the voter list or getting Aadhaar card made, similar documents need to be provided for the NRC as and when it is carried out, it said.
Noting that a person's citizenship is decided on the basis of the Citizenship Rules, 2009, it said there are five ways for somebody to become a citizen, which are citizenship by birth, registration, naturalization, and incorporation.
Responding to a question that if it is so easy to prove identity, then how 19 lakh people in Assam were affected due to the NRC, the explainer said infiltration is an old problem in the state and the Rajiv Gandhi government in 1985 had signed an agreement to curb it, putting the cut-off date of 25 March 1971.
"For the rest of the country, the NRC process is completely different and under The Citizenship (Registration of Citizens and Issue of National Identity Cards) Rules, 2003," it said.
-- PTI
19:54 UP CM warns of strong action against vandals, says will auction their property
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Thursday his government will take "revenge" on those involved in the violence over the amended Citizenship Act by auctioning their property to compensate for the losses.
"There is no place for violence in a democracy. In the name of opposing the CAA, the Congress, SP and Left parties have pushed the entire country to fire.
"There was violence in Lucknow and Sambhal and we will deal with it strictly. All properties of those involved in damaging public assets will be seized and auctioned to compensate for the losses," he said.
"They have been captured in video and CCTV footage. We will take 'badla' (revenge) on them," Adityanath said.
He added that prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC has been in force in the state since November 8 and no demonstration can take place without permission.
"Violence in the name of demonstration is not acceptable. I have talked to the officers and will ensure that the common man does not have any problem. We will strictly deal with those involved in violence," the chief minister said.
He alleged that opposition is creating confusion on CAA as it was sidelined and ignored by the people.
"The CAA its is not against any religion or section of society. It will ensure safety and help refugees from the other countries," Adityanath contended.
-- PTI
19:14 Preventing protest insult to India's soul: Rahul
Hitting out at the government for trying to prevent peaceful protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday said doing that is an insult to Indias soul.
This government has no right to shut down colleges, telephones & the Internet, to halt metro trains and to impose #Section144 to suppress Indias voice & prevent peaceful protests. To do so is an insult to Indias soul, tweeted Gandhi who is currently out of India.
Earlier in the day, Rahuls sister and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra warned that the more the government tries to suppress the voice of people, the louder it will become. She said the government has shut metro stations and internet services in Delhi and have imposed CrPC Section 144, which prohibits an assembly of four or more people.
Senior opposition leaders, a large number of students and activists were detained on Thursday by police on their way to two mega demonstrations against the new citizenship law as prohibitory orders and restrictions on internet and mobile phone services in parts of Delhi-NCR region inconvenienced thousands of people.
18:53 Farhan Akhtar at anti-citizenship law protest in Mumbai
As he had indicated in his tweet on Wednesday, actor-director Farhan Akhtar made his way to August Kranti Maidan in south Mumbai to participate in the protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.
Sitting at the protest site, he said, "To raise your voice against something is our democratic right, people are raising their voices and I'm of view that there seems to be a certain amount of discrimination in what is happening."
On Wednesday, Farhan taking to Twitter wrote, "See you on the 19th at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The time to protest on social media alone is over."
18:35 MHA to hold review meet over anti-CAA protests
The Ministry of Home Affairs will hold a review meeting on Thursday over the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 in different parts of the country.
Protests erupted across the country over the amended Citizenship Act, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. At some places, the protest turned violent and public property was vandalised during the agitation.
On Wednesday, MHA spokesperson had clarified that the Act does not apply to Indian citizens and they are completely unaffected by it.
"Citizenship of India can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory. Any foreigner on becoming eligible can acquire citizenship by registration or by naturalisation irrespective of his country or community. #CAA2019 enables foreigners of six minority communities from three countries to apply for citizenship on the basis of religious persecution," the spokesperson stated.
-- ANI
18:24 India did not discuss CAA with US: MEA
The Ministry of Home Affairs will hold a review meeting today over the protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 in different parts of the country.
At the press briefing today when asked if the CAA issue was raised by US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, during 2+2 Ministerial meeting, in Washington DC, Raveesh Kumar said, "This issue, being an internal matter of India, was not discussed in the 2+2 meeting. I'm not aware of the specifics of what was discussed in EAM's meeting with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. But our perspective on the Act has been shared with the US interlocutors, including the US Congress. We've highlighted the points which we have articulated in Parliament and subsequently which has been repeatedly said by the PM and Home Minister. I can only say that in the context of his meeting with the members of the US Congress, EAM shared our perspectives on this issue."
On the Bangladesh FM and HM cancelling their visit to India, the MEA spokesperson said, "There have been comments about some of the meeting etc being postponed/cancelled with Bangladesh. We have to understand that, with Bangladesh, there are over 75 dialogue mechanisms which are taking place. Dates are decided through mutual consultation.
"Our understanding is, a relationship which is as close as between our two countries should not be defined in terms of the postponement of a visit here and there. Bangladesh has explained the reasons why the visit has been postponed."
Image: MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar
18:07 Mamata calls for UN-led referendum on CAA
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday demanded a referendum by an "impartial organisation" like the United Nations to see how many people were in the favour of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
"Let there be an impartial organisation like United Nations or National Human Rights Commission hold a referendum to see how many people are in favour or against Citizenship (Amendment) Act", she said while addressing a gathering.
She also accused the BJP of "dividing" the country and said that the protests against the amended Citizenship Act will not stop unless the government withdraws the legislation, which aims to grant citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from three countries in India's neighbourhood.
"Suddenly after 73 years of independence, we have to prove that we are Indian citizens. Where was BJP's at that time, BJP is dividing the country. Don't stop your protest because we have to get CAA revoked... Protests will get stronger as the day passes," Banerjee said while speaking at a protest in Kolkata.
She also termed it 'dirty politics' and said, "You have won 38 per cent vote after doing so much and many of them are against you. It's bad luck for us that we have to give our fathers and mothers identity. All are citizens and suddenly who gave this idea that we have to give proof of it... They are doing dirty politics".
Banerjee has been vehemently opposing the amended Citizenship Act and has even said that she will not allow the legislation to be implemented in West Bengal.
Several other non-BJP chief ministers have also echoed similar sentiments.Protests erupted across the country over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014.
18:01 No untoward incident reported during anti-CAA protests in Delhi: Police
No untoward incident was reported during the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in the national capital, the Delhi Police said on Thursday. Apart from police personnel, 52 companies of other forces, including RAF, were deployed to maintain law and order, Delhi Police PRO Mandeep Singh Randhawa said. He also said the force is closely monitoring social media and WhatsApp groups to check rumour mongering. Legal action will be taken against those who spread rumours, he told reporters. PTI
17:49 Centre, Del police on notice over Jamia violence
The Delhi High Court on Thursday issued a notice to the Central government and the city police on the various petitions related to the Jamia Milia Islamia incident.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and C Har Shankar asked the Centre and Delhi Police to file a response to the petitions and listed the matter for further hearing on February 4.
Various petitioners have moved the High Court seeking remedies including forming of a fact-finding committee to probe the violence that took place after the Delhi Police and students protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, clashed.
The petitioners said that this was the "most significant attack" on the students since independence and appealed to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to work as Amicus Curiae.
Meanwhile, the petitioner's counsel also sought interim relief from any coercive steps against them.
As the court denied granting any interim protection and giving a shorter date for hearing, some of the lawyers present in the courtroom shouted "shame, shame".
The judges, however, did not react, ignored the hooting and left for their chambers.
One of the petitioners told the court that around 450 tear gases were fired during the Jamia Milia incident which is highest since 2012.
Appearing for the petitioners, senior advocates Sanjay Hegde and Indira Jaising referred to various medical reports confirming grievous injuries and said that one of the students had suffered bullet injuries. They also raised questions over police entering the university campus without permission and attacking unarmed students.
Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves requested the court to grant medical assistance for injured students, to keep criminal proceedings against students in abeyance, to preserve the CCTV footage to find out who is right and who is wrong.
17:30 Sonia helms Cong core group meet on CAA protests
A meeting of the Congress core group began today at the party's interim president, Sonia Gandhi's residence, in New Delhi, over the unrest across the country on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019.
Senior Congress leaders including Ahmed Patel, Jyotiraditya Scindia, RPN Singh and Deepender Singh Hooda were present in the meeting.
"There is pain among people after a bill against Constitution was passed in Parliament," Scindia told ANI ahead of the meeting.
Protests erupted across the country over the amended Citizenship Act, which seeks to grant citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and came to India on or before December 31, 2014. -- ANI
17:11 Nirbhaya: HC dismisses convict's juvenile plea
The Delhi High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by one of the death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case, who had claimed that he was minor at the time of the offence and should be treated under the Juvenile Justice Act.
Justice Suresh Kumar, while dismissing his plea, also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on convict Pawan Kumar Gupta's lawyer A P Singh for not appearing before the court for hearing and wasting its time by trying to play "hide and seek" game.
The court has also asked the Delhi Bar Council to take action against the advocate.
The court had earlier adjourned till January 24 the matter but after Nirbhaya's parents objected, it recalled it and listed the matter for later today.
Gupta, in his plea, had stated that since he was juvenile in 2012 when the rape was committed, he should be treated under the Juvenile Justice Act. He alleged that his ossification test was not done at that point of time and he should be given the benefit of that.
The convict argued that the claim of juvenility can be raised at any time even after the final disposal of the case.
"Ossification test of the petitioner was conducted by the investigating officers. The age verification report filed by the investigating officers could not be relied upon. The convict should be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice Act," stated the petition. -- ANI
17:00 Delhi: Traffic jams lead to flight cancellations
Air India says that in view of the current heavy traffic congestion along the Gurugram-Delhi highway, resulting in inconvenience to passengers, reissue/no-show/cancellation and refund charges for all domestic and nternational tickets for travel from Delhi on 19th Dec 2019 shall be waived.
Several Indigo flights had to be cancelled as the crew couldn't make it to the airport in time.
In the area around the Red Fort, scores of protestors were dragged into buses by police in a bid to clear the area where Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed which restricts gathering of more than four people. Protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act resulted in huge traffic snarls across the national capital during the morning peak hours, while the Delhi-Gurgaon route remained in a gridlock as vehicles lined up for as long as 10 kms on the expressway connecting the two cities. PTI
16:46 Beyond the uniform: Delhi police offer refreshments to protesters
Delhi police personnel offere refreshments at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Bawana, to protesters who were detained, including Swaraj Abhiyan founder, Yogendra Yadav.
16:42 Anti-CAA protest: Man who hurled petrol bombs at cops near Jamia identified
Delhi police on Thursday identified the man who allegedly hurled petrol bombs at the cops during a protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) near Jamia Milia Islamia.The accused has been identified as Rayees Jiski (50).The accused is currently receiving treatment in the capital's GTB hospital and will be arrested soon after being discharged. -- ANI
16:31 Empathise with 'dummy' CM Uddhav: BJP
In other news, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Thursday dubbed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as a "dummy CM", saying he has to seek approval of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar before taking any decision.
Mungantiwar was talking to reporters outside the Vidhan Bhawan in Nagpur, where the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature is currently on. "The Congress and NCP have installed a dummy chief minister. Before taking any decision, the CM is required to take approval from Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar," he said. "That is why, rather than giving answers to questions raised by us in the House, he talks about national issues, generally raised during public meetings," he said.
Mungantiwar said he empathises with Thackeray for joining hands with Congress and NCP. "I feel empathy for Uddhav Thackeray, as once whose face used to glow, has now gone pale. This is the result of the company he is keeping," the former state minister said. "People have seen a dummy CM today. He should get away from the shackles of Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar," he added. -- PTI
16:31 Empathise with 'dummy' CM Uddhav
In other news, senior BJP leader Sudhir Mungantiwar on Thursday dubbed Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray as a "dummy CM", saying he has to seek approval of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and NCP supremo Sharad Pawar before taking any decision.
Mungantiwar was talking to reporters outside the Vidhan Bhawan in Nagpur, where the winter session of the Maharashtra Legislature is currently on. "The Congress and NCP have installed a dummy chief minister. Before taking any decision, the CM is required to take approval from Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar," he said. "That is why, rather than giving answers to questions raised by us in the House, he talks about national issues, generally raised during public meetings," he said.
Mungantiwar said he empathises with Thackeray for joining hands with Congress and NCP. "I feel empathy for Uddhav Thackeray, as once whose face used to glow, has now gone pale. This is the result of the company he is keeping," the former state minister said. "People have seen a dummy CM today. He should get away from the shackles of Sonia Gandhi and Sharad Pawar," he added. -- PTI
16:26 Traffic mayhem in Delhi after CAA barricades
A large number of protestors gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi today to protest the amended citizenship law after they were not allowed to demonstrate near Red Fort and Mandi House where prohibitory orders have been imposed.
Left leaders including D Raja, Sitaram Yechury, Nilotpal Basu, Brinda Karat, Congress' Ajay Maken and Sandeep Dikshit, and activists Yogendra Yadav and Umar Khalid were among those detained near the Red Fort and Mandi House where the two demonstrations were planned to be held.
As protestors started converging at the Jantar Mantar amid heavy deployment of security personnel, barricades were erected at the protest site to prevent them from moving further. Senior police officials have appealed to students and activists to maintain peace.
Police have also stationed water canons at the Jantar Mantar to deal with any situation. Entry and exit gates of at least 18 Delhi Metro stations were shut while barricades were erected in large parts of south, east and north Delhi to check movement of protesters, triggering massive traffic snarls in large parts of the city.
In the area around the Red Fort, scores of protestors were dragged into buses by police in a bid to clear the area where Section 144 of the CrPC was imposed which restricts gathering of more than four people. Protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act resulted in huge traffic snarls across the national capital during the morning peak hours, while the Delhi-Gurgaon route remained in a gridlock as vehicles lined up for as long as 10 kms on the expressway connecting the two cities. PTI
16:02 Communication services in affected areas of Delhi restored: Airtel sources
Telecom operator Airtel's mobile internet services that were suspended in parts of Delhi have been restored, a company source said on Thursday. When contacted, an Airtel spokesperson declined to comment. There is no official word from other telecom operators on whether their services have been restored. The Airtel source said that the services in specific locations, that were disrupted earlier in the day, are back. Amid anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in the city, services were suspended in parts of Delhi, including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Bawana, following a directive from Delhi Police earlier in the day.
Image: Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder Chairman, Bharti Airtel, said the company was bound by the order of the government.
15:54 High security in Mumbai for CAA protests
Thousands of people from different communities, NGOs and political parties are expected to take part in the protest at August Kranti Maidan, Mumbai. The Mumbai Police will maintain strict vigil to prevent untoward incidents during the protest.
Image: An anti-CAA protester holds up a witty poster in Mumbai.Pic: Neeta Kolhatkar.
15:51 CAA: All roads lead to August Kranti Maidan in Mum
The Congress, NCP and various other parties have formed a front and are organising a protest at August Kranti Maidan in Mumbai today against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the National Register of Citizens (NRC). These parties have come together under a front, called 'Hum Bharat Ke Log', which will hold a protest at the Maidan, a release issued by the front said. It dubbed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and NRC as"unconstitutional and discriminatory".
Besides the Maharashtra units of Congress and NCP, the Samajwadi Party, CPI, CPM, JD(S), Peasants and Workers Party of India, Muslim League and various citizen organisations will also take part in the protest. The front, in its release, said December 19 is historically significant as it was in this day in 1927 that freedom fighters Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan and Roshan Singh were went to the gallows. They symbolise the rich heritage of the country's freedom struggle and communal harmony led by Mahatma Gandhi and other national leaders, it said.
"The Constitution, drafted by Dr BR Ambedkar, is being violated and is under attack. This is the reason that the entire country has chosen this day to condemn the unconstitutional and divisive laws of the BJP government," it said. -- PTI
Image: Police bandobast at August Kranti Maidan ahead of the anti-CAA protests in Mumbai. Pic: Neeta Kolhatkar.
15:37 Who said what on CAA
Yogendra Yadav: Appeal to all who have escaped detention to please come to Jantar Mantar and continue the protest. As and when we are released from detention, we shall also join everyone at Jantar Mantar.
Mehbooba Mufti: "Hum kya chahtay Azaadi - Battlecry of every righteous Indian today." The former J-K CM's daughter Iltija is tweeting on her behalf since Mehbooba is in detention.
Priyanka Vadra: "The voice of a people cannot be silenced by force. Every time force is applied to dominate and rule, every time you beat and suppress, every time you push people to the wall, they will rise up stronger, their resolve will strengthen and their voice will grow louder. Our freedom movement was proof of this, our constitution is the guarantor of it and our people are the soul of it."
15:16 CAA protests: Vehicles burnt in Lucknow
More vandalism in UP: In Lucknow, vehicles were set ablaze in Hasanganj during protests against the CAA.
15:16 CAA protests: Vehicles burnt in Lucknow
More vandalism in UP: In Lucknow, vehicles were set ablaze in Hasanganj during protests against the CAA.
15:07 Internet suspended in Sambhal district of UP
A state transport bus was set ablaze in Sambhal, UP, allegedly during protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act today. Sambhal District Magistrate has announced that internet services have been suspended till further orders, following violence during protests.
Protests, yes; vandalism, no.
15:01 Mega traffic jam on Delhi-Gurugram expressway after police sets up barricades
The Delhi Traffic police have set up barricades on the Delhi-Gurugram expressway which resulted in heavy traffic jams on Thursday morning. Amidst busy office hours, people were seen waiting for their turn to get the police clearance as the six-lane expressway was all blocked by the barricades. Meanwhile, the traffic in the national capital region's Noida is also slow on the Delhi Noida Direct highyway and Mahamaya to Mayur Vihar road.
14:58 FM holds pre-budget meeting
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held pre-budget consultations with representatives of various trade unions and labour organisations, earlier today.
14:58 FM holds pre-budget meeting
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman held pre-budget consultations with representatives of various trade unions and labour organisations, earlier today.
14:08 Telecom services suspended in parts of Delhi-NCR
Amid anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests, internet, voice and messaging services by telecom service providers including Airtel, Vodafone Idea and Reliance Jio were suspended in parts of Delhi-NCR following instructions from the police on Thursday.
As per the order, services were suspended for locations including walled city areas of north and central districts, Mandi House, Seelampur, Jaffarbad, Mustafabad, Jamia Nagar, Shaheen Bagh and Bawana.
'In view of the prevailing law and order situation, it is hereby directed that communication of all types i.e. voice, SMS and internet, be halted from 0900 hours to 1300 hours in Cell IDs/BTS (base transceiver stations) covering the following areas for 19-12-2019,' said the order issued by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Special Cell, New Delhi. -- PTI
13:59 12 more arrested for violence in N-E Delhi
The Delhi Police made 12 fresh arrests in connection with the violence during protests in the northeast part of the city against the amended Citizenship Act, officials said on Thursday.
The police had arrested nine people on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the violence.
Giving details of the arrests, officials said while 12 people were nabbed in connection with the violence and vandalism in Seelampur, five have been held for the Jafrabad case and four in the Dayal Pur cases.
Angry protesters demanding scrapping of the amended legislation had pelted police personnel with stones, torched several motorbikes and vandalised two police booths as well as three buses in Seelampur on Tuesday, leaving 21 people injured. -- PTI
13:29 Indira Jaisingh asks court for fact-finding committee into Jamia violence
Jamia Millia Islamia incident: Petitioner tells Delhi High Court that Delhi Police forcefully entered Jamia Millia Islamia campus and beat up students. The petitioner demands judicial inquiry under a committee headed by Supreme Court and High Court judges. Appearing for one of petitioners, senior advocate Indira Jaisingh tells Delhi High Court that Supreme Court has taken a view that this matter is of fact -- finding and hence, a fact finding committee should be appointed to look into matter.
13:26 CAA/NRC protests: 50 detained in Hyderabad
Down south, Hyderabad erupts with protests against the CAA.
The city police today detained around 50 people protesting outside the Charminar over the issue of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
"In the entire south zone, rallies and procession in favour of or in opposition won't be allowed. No organization has been given any permission to organize a protest," said Avinash Mohanty, DCP South.
Around 50 people have been detained for protesting outside the Charminar amid ongoing protests against National Register of Citizens and Citizenship Amendment Act, said police. He also advised the people not to believe any rumours that any permission has been granted for a protest or rally by the police department.
"A lot of people were gathered outside Charminar, some of them were cajoled and send back to home and other unrelenting ones were detained," he added.
Earlier in the day, keeping in mind the scheduled protests against the CAA, the Uttar Pradesh administration placed 62 people from across the state under arrest and has urged close to three thousand others not to take part in demonstrations and rallies.
Meanwhile, in states like Karnataka and Delhi preventive measures are being taken to avoid any untoward incidents during the protests. -- ANI
13:22 Remember them?
In Guwahati, Congress leaders Harish Rawat and Ripun Bora take part in protest against the CAA.
13:04 Delhi Metro: Entry, exit gates of several metro stations closed
The entry and exit gates of 16 metro stations including Vasant Vihar and Mandi House were closed on Thursday in New Delhi.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in a tweet said, "Entry and exit gates of Vasant Vihar and Mandi House are closed. Interchange facility is available at Mandi House."
Earlier, in a series of tweets, DMRC also announced the closure of entry and exit gates of multiple other metro stations, including Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan, Khan Market and several others.The gates of several metro stations, including Jamia Millia Islamia falling on the magenta and yellow lines, were closed.Further details are awaited. -- ANI
Image: The entry and exit gates at the Mandi House metro were closed today.
13:01 Scrap CAA, give youth jobs: Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal lends his voice to the anti-CAA protests in the national capital. "Today, law and order situation in the country is deteriorating. There is a fear among all citizens today. I appeal to the central government to not bring this law but give employment to the youth."
13:00 Sandeep Dikshit detained
More detentions. Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit detained by police at Mandi House, Delhi. He says he was not allowed to go to Red Fort to protest on the CAA, so he was detained when he came to Mandi House to protest.
The last time Delhi saw mass protests of this kind was during Anna Hazare's India Against Corruption movement when his mother, Sheila Dikshit was the CM. Life comes full circle.
12:52 Nirbhaya convict's 'juvenile' claim listed today
The other big update -- the death sentence of the Nirbhaya convicts.
After Nirbhaya's parents objected to the adjournment order given by the Delhi High Court on a petition filed by one of the death-row convicts in the Nirbhaya rape case claiming that he was a juvenile at the time of the offence, the court recalled it and listed the matter for today itself.
Justice Suresh Kumar Kait had earlier today adjourned the matter for January 24 following which the counsels representing victim's parents again mentioned the matter and objected to the adjournment.
The court had adjourned the matter after convict Pawan Kumar Gupta's lawyer, advocate A P Singh, sought time to file fresh documents.
Gupta, in his plea, had stated that since he was juvenile in 2012 when the rape was committed, he should be treated under the Juvenile Justice Act. He alleged that his ossification test was not done at that point and he should be given the benefit of that.
The convict argued that the claim of being juvenile can be raised at any time even after the final disposal of the case. "Ossification test of the petitioner was conducted by the investigating officers. The age verification report filed by the investigating officers could not be relied upon. The convict should be treated as a juvenile under the Juvenile Justice Act," stated the petition.
12:37 Umar Khalid detained
Former JNU student and activist Umar Khalid amongst protesters detained by police for protesting against the Citizenship Act, near Red Fort.
12:36 AAP MLA announces Rs 5 lakh, job to Jamia student
AAP MLA Amanatullah Khan on Thursday announced Rs 5 lakh and a job at the Delhi Waqf Board to a Jamia student who suffered an eye injury during a protest against the amended Citizenship Act.
The Okhla MLA, who is also the chairman of the Delhi Waqf Board, said he will meet Minhajuddin, an LLM student of Jamia, to provide him the financial help and appointment papers on Thursday. Minhajuddin was injured on Sunday when the anti-Citizenship (Amendment) Act protest at Jamia Millia Islamia turned violent. -- PTI
Image: Hisham Siddiqui, a Jamia Millia Islamia university student, was also one of the many injured during a protest on Sunday.
12:32 Absolutely undemocratic: Ram Guha on detention
Update on Ram Guha's detention: The noted historian and many others were detained today for staging a demonstration against the Citizenship Amendment Act and NRC at the Town Hall in Bengaluru, in defiance of the prohibitory orders imposed in the city. He was taken away by police personnel and led to a vehicle parked nearby. Police said the protesters violated prohibitory orders clamped in the city against any protest or demonstration.
Reacting to his detention, Guha said it was "absolutely undemocratic" that police were not allowing even a peaceful protest, which is the democratic right of the citizens. The Communist Party of India too staged demonstrations in the city against the CAA and NRC. PTI
12:24 Humanity above national security: Sushant Singh
Television actor Sushant Singh was suddenly removed as the host of the daily crime drama Savdhaan India, which airs on Star Bharat, late on December 16 through a WhatsApp message.
Singh, who has hosted the show since 2011, tweeted about his removal a day after he was seen at a rally protesting against the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act.
He hinted his involvement with the protests may have been the reason, saying it was a "small price" to pay for speaking up. 'And, my stint with Savdhaan India has ended', Sushant tweeted.
When asked if he was paying a price for speaking the truth, Sushant responded by tweeting, 'A very small price my friend. Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru, what will I reply to them?'
"If anyone is coming to take refuge in our country by leaving his home, family and country he can only be a mazloom (helpless) person. How can we see his religion and decide whether he should be given citizenship or not?" Singh asks Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com.
12:21 Anti-CAA protesters detained near Red Fort
Security was heightened across the national capital on Thursday with the police detaining demonstrators protesting near the Red Fort area over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), and entry and exit gates of several metro stations were closed.
At Red Fort and Mandi House, there was heavy deployment of police forces in order to maintain law and order.
Section-144, which prohibits the gathering of four or more people, has been imposed in Red Fort area and North-East District, hours after a request by a Swaraj Abhiyan for a peaceful march against the citizenship law was denied by the police from Red Fort to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park Park in ITO for today.
Permission has not been granted for the protest march to be held by Communist Party from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar over the CAA and NRC at 12 noon. Similarly, a request for the march to be held under the banner of 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' was also denied by the police from Red Fort to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park in ITO over CAA at 11:30 am.
The prevailing situation has forced the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation to shut the entry and exit gates of metro stations like Central Secretariat, Patel Chowk, ITO, Pragati Maidan, Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Jamia Millia Islamia and Munirka among others as a precautionary measure.
Image: Delhi Police PRO MS Randhawa, who is at Red Fort where Section 144 is imposed says all protest organizers have been requested to hold protests at designated places only.
12:13 Anti-CAA protest: Yogendra Yadav detained
After historian and author, Ram Guha, the Delhi police have now detained activist and a vociferous critic of the government, Yogendra Yadav. The academic tweeted this image saying, "I have just been detained from Lal Qila. About a thousand protesters already detained. Thousands on the way. Am told we are being taken to Bawana. Shared heritage, shared martyrdom, shared citizenship."
Yadav was one of the key architects of the India Against Corruption movement spearheaded by Anna Hazare, which gave birth to the Aam Admi Party and now the government in Delhi.
The Delhi Police made 12 fresh arrests in connection with the violence during protests in the northeast part of the city against the amended Citizenship Act, officials said on Thursday. The police had arrested nine people on Tuesday and Wednesday in connection with the violence. Giving details of the arrests, officials said while 12 people were nabbed in connection with the violence and vandalism in Seelampur, five have been held for the Jafrabad case and four in the Dayal Pur cases.
Angry protesters demanding scrapping of the amended legislation had pelted police personnel with stones, torched several motorbikes and vandalised two police booths as well as three buses in Seelampur on Tuesday, leaving 21 people injured.
11:42 Anti-CAA protest: Historian Ram Guha detained
JUST IN: Police has detained historian Ramachandra Guha during protest at Town Hall in Bengaluru.
Left parties also held protests in Bengaluru against the amended Citizenship Act and NRC, defying Section 144 of CrPC that was imposed in the city. -- ANI
11:13 Protesters defy Sec 144 in Delhi, detained
Proesters defy Section 144 imposed near Red Fort. They have been detained by the police.
In Karnataka's Kalaburagi, Police have detained more than 20 protesters of consortium of Left wing and Muslim organisation.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said, "Congress is behind protests against CAA and because of people like U T Khader situation is becoming like this.
"Taking care of Muslims is our responsibility. Request all to maintain peace. If Congress leaders continue to support protests then they'll face consequences." -- ANI
"Taking care of Muslims is our responsibility. Request all to maintain peace. If Congress leaders continue to support protests then they'll face consequences." -- ANI
10:58 Anti-CAA protest: 14 Delhi Metro stations shut
Entry and exit gates of 14 metro stations were closed on Thursday due to a protest against the amended Citizenship Act.
Entry and exit gates of Patel Chowk, Lok Kalyan Marg, Udyog Bhawan, ITO, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations, the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation tweeted.
Entry and exit gates of Central Secretariat metro station are also closed. However, interchange facility is available at this station.
Earlier, the DMRC tweeted that entry and exit gates of Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk, Vishwavidyalaya, Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar Shaheen Bagh and Munirka are closed.
Trains will not be halting at these stations, it said. -- PTI
10:15 Anti-CAA protest: Sec 144 imposed near Red Fort
UPDATE: Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, prohibiting assembly of more than four people, has been imposed near Red Fort in view of protests against Citizenship Amendment Act.
Entry and exit gates of four more Metro stations -- Lal Quila, Jama Masjid, Chandni Chowk and Vishwavidyalaya -- are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations. -- ANI
09:53 Delhi police refuses nod to anti-CAA marches
The Delhi Police informed on Thursday that it has refused permission for a march that was scheduled to be held under the banner of 'Hum Bharat Ke Log' against Citizenship Ammendment Act from Lal Quila to Shaheed Bhagat Singh Park (ITO) at 11.30 am today.
Permission has also not been granted for the protest march to be held by Left parties from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar against CAA and NRC at 12 noon today.
Meanwhile, Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said that entry and exit gates of Jamia Millia Islamia, Jasola Vihar, Shaheen Bagh and Munirka are closed. Trains will not be halting at these stations. -- ANI
09:36 Trump reacts to impeachment
US President Donald Trump tweets his reaction to his impeachment by the US House of Representatives last night.
The House impeached Trump on two counts -- abuse of power and obstructing the Congress. The first article of impeachment, abuse of power, was on party lines with 230 to 197 votes. The second article of impeachment, obstruction to the Congress, was voted 229-198 votes.
The White House described the impeachment as one of the most shameful political episodes in the history of the US. All four Democratic Indian American members of the House of Representatives voted to impeach Trump. The impeachment now moves to the Senate where Supreme Court Chief Justice would preside over the trial. Given that the ruling Republicans have majority in the 100-member Senate, political analysts say that impeachment is likely to fail and the Democrats might not be able to unseat Trump from the Oval Office. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said he would hold an impeachment trial early next year.
09:32 All is well in Bengal, no violence over CAA
West Bengal was peaceful with no fresh incident of violence over the new citizenship law reported so far on Thursday, police said. However, stray incidents of clashes between groups supporting the amended Citizenship Act and those opposing it were reported on Wednesday. Five persons were injured when crude bombs were hurled at a protest march taken out against the new citizenship law in North Dinajpur district, a police officer said.
The protesters had blocked NH 34 for two hours against the incident. The state had witnessed violence and arson from December 13 to 17 during protests against the new citizenship law. More than 350 people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the violence.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who has been at the forefront in opposing the new citizenship law and the NRC, is on Thursday scheduled to conduct a protest rally in Esplanade area in the heart of Kolkata. She had taken out three protest marches in Kolkata and Howrah from December 16 to 18.
The Left parties are also scheduled to hold a protest march against the new citizenship law from Ramlila Maidan to Lady Brabourne College in the city. Intellectuals are slated to take out another protest march from Ramlila Maidan to Hogg Market. -- PTI
Image: West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar appealed to all to give up protests in the interest of peace so that normalcy returns and sufferings of the people is contained.
09:28 Rail roko in Patna over CAA
In Patna, the All India Students Federation members stop train at Rajendra Nagar railway station in protest against against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and National Register of Citizens.
09:19 Anti-CAA protests: Delhi Police conducts foot patrolling
Amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2019, Delhi Police is conducting foot patrolling as part of area domination and confidence-building exercise.
After protests in parts of southeast and northeast districts, the Delhi Police in all other districts are conducting foot patrolling. Regular meetings with Aman Committee in different areas are taking place.In some sensitive localities, the Delhi Police is also conducting flag march.
Apprehensions of the members as well as the general public are being addressed and subsequently dispelled. Requests are being made to not entertain rumours and verify from police before spreading them further.
DCP West said that police interacted on Wednesday with Aman Committee members and other stakeholders in the area of Khyala Police Station which was followed by flag march in the area.A total of eight people have been arrested, while two cases have been registered in connection with the violence that broke out in Seelampur and Zafarabad areas of New Delhi over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019, Delhi Police said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, several protesters and policemen sustained injuries during a protest against the new citizenship law near the Jamia Nagar area on Sunday. At least three buses were set on fire and other public properties were also damaged in the protest. -- ANI
Image: Free for all: Anti-CAA protesters in Seelampur in Delhi on Tuesday.
09:15 CAA protests: Maha CM urges Muslim community to maintain law and order
Amid raging protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) across the country, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday spoke to representatives of the Muslim community via video conferencing and requested them to maintain law and order during protests against CAA and NRC.
Leaders of several opposition parties met President Ram Nath Kovind on Tuesday urging him to advise the government to withdraw the law.
Home Minister Amit Shah has ruled out the withdrawal of the Citizenship Amendment Act with the government repeatedly saying that the law does not affect any Indian citizen.
The CAA grants citizenship to non-Muslims of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who fled religious persecution and arrived in India on or before December 31, 2014. -- ANI
09:13 Firing on Shiv Sena functionary in Mumbai
A Shiv Sena functionary was injured after an unidentified person opened fire on him in suburban Vikhroli in Mumbai on Thursday morning, a police official said.
The incident took place around 8 am near Sai Mandir in Tagor Nagar area of Vikhroli, he said.
The Sena functionary, identified as Shekhar Jadhav, sustained injuries on his hand and was admitted to Godrej Hospital in Vikhroli, the official said.
The assailant was caught by passers-by and handed over to police, he added. -- PTI
09:03 Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch
Pakistani troops on Thursday violated ceasefire by firing small arms and shelling mortar bombs on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesperson said.
The firing from across the border in Mankote sector was retaliated befittingly by the Indian Army, he said, adding there was no immediate report of any casualty on the Indian side.
"At about 7.15 am, Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and shelling with mortars," the spokesperson said.
He said the cross-border firing was going on when last reports were received. -- PTI
08:53 CAA doesn't apply to any Indian citizen: MHA
Amid protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, in various parts of the country, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) spokesperson has clarified that the Act does not apply to Indian citizens and they are completely unaffected by it.
Taking to Twitter on Wednesday, MHA spokesperson explained the provisions pertaining to citizenship in India and some concerns regarding the Act.
'Citizenship of India can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory. Any foreigner on becoming eligible can acquire citizenship by registration or by naturalisation irrespective of his country or community. #CAA2019 enables foreigners of six minority communities from three countries to apply for citizenship on the basis of religious persecution,' the spokesperson stated.
'It does not amend any existing legal provision which enables any foreigner to apply for Indian citizenship through registration/naturalisation. The CAA does not apply to Indian citizens. They are completely unaffected by it,' it further noted.
The spokesperson further informed that in the last six years, 2830 Pakistani, 912 Afghani and 172 Bangladeshi citizens have been given Indian citizenship.
'Many of them are from the majority community of these countries. Such migrants of the majority community of neighbouring countries shall continue to get Indian citizenship if they fulfil the eligibility conditions already provided in the law for registration or naturalisation,' the ministry official stated.
'On different occasions, special provisions have been made by Government in the past to accommodate the citizenship of foreigners who had to flee to India. E.g. 4.61 lakh Tamils of Indian origin were given Indian citizenship during 1964-2008. The CAA does not target any religious community from abroad. It only provides a mechanism for some migrants who may otherwise have been called 'illegal' depriving them of opportunity to apply for Indian citizenship provided they meet certain conditions,' spokesperson added. -- ANI
08:20 Trump impeached in US House for abuse of power
United States House of Representatives on Wednesday (local time) voted to impeach Donald Trump, making him the third President in American history to be impeached.
CNN reported that a majority of the US House of Representatives voted to support the two articles of impeachment against President Trump.
Trump faced two articles of impeachment -- abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
According to CNN, on the first article of impeachment -- abuse of power -- 230 voted in favour and 197 voted against it.
The House of Representatives passed two articles of impeachment against President Trump.
The House voted primarily along party lines to impeach Trump on abuse of power and obstruction of Congress, reported CNN.
It has been nearly three months since House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced that Democrats would launch an impeachment inquiry after an anonymous whistleblower complaint alleged that Trump had solicited interference in a July phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to help his 2020 reelection campaign.
Democrats said their investigation revealed a months-long campaign directed by the President and carried out by his personal attorney Rudy Giuliani for Ukraine to announce an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden, along with the 2016 election.
The President withheld US security aid and a one-on-one meeting that Zelensky sought, they say, and then obstructed the investigation by defying congressional subpoenas across the administration.
"Very sadly, the facts have made clear that the President abused his power for his own personal, political benefit and that he obstructed Congress as he demanded that he is above accountability, above the Constitution and above the American people," Pelosi said in a letter to colleagues Tuesday.
"During this very prayerful moment in our nation's history, we must honour our oath to support and defend our Constitution from all enemies, foreign and domestic," the letter read.
Trump and his GOP congressional allies, however, had slammed the impeachment proceedings, accusing the Democrats of rushing to impeach him ahead of the 2020 election.
The President sent a blistering letter to Pelosi on Tuesday accusing Democrats of an 'illegal, partisan attempted coup'.
'History will judge you harshly as you proceed with this impeachment charade,' he wrote.
The House vote will eventually shift the impeachment proceedings to the Senate, where Republicans control the majority.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday predicted that the Senate would have a 'largely partisan outcome', after saying last week that he was coordinating with the President's lawyers ahead of the trial. -- ANI
IMAGE: US President Donald Trump reacts during a campaign rally in Battle Creek, Michigan, on Wednesday. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters
00:12 Twitter slams Alia for sharing wrong Preamble
Alia Bhatt on Tuesday took to social media and shared a picture of the Preamble to the Constitution of India, as a mark of solidarity towards the students protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. However, she posted the wrong one.
"Learn from the students", she wrote with the picture of the preamble. Soon, netizens took to social media to point out her mistake and stated that she has shared the old one, where the description of India on the 42nd Amendment read a "sovereign democratic republic" and "unity of the nation". It was changed by former PM Indira Gandhi during the Emergency period to "sovereign, socialist secular democratic republic" and "unity and integrity of the nation".
Taking a jibe at the actress, one of the users wrote, "Alia Bhatt googles "Preamble", and uses the first picture that she could find. She doesn't even know that this is the original Preamble, which doesn't have the words "Secular" and "Socialist", the ideals that they claim to be protecting."
Another wrote, "Alia Bhatts support to the moment is like a proxy for an important lecture. You get the attendance in theory but practically you didnt learn/contribute. (sic)."
The list of Bollywood celebrities who have come forward to show support to students voicing protest against CAA has been steadily increasing. In the past couple of days, Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, Parineeti Chopra, Richa Chadha, Huma Qureshi, Nimrat Kaur, Dia Mirza, Swara Bhaskar, Manoj Bajpayee, Saurabh Shukla, and Anurag Kashyap, Alankrita Srivastava, Hansal Mehta have been among the many celebrities who have extended support to students.
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