NEW DELHI: Braving cold weather, hundreds of people gathered outside the iconic Jama Masjid in Old Delhi on Friday to protest against the amended citizenship law.
Congress leader Alka Lamba and former Delhi MLA Shoaib Iqbal were among those who joined the demonstrations.
Lamba hit out at the central government, saying "unemployment is the real issue in the county, but you (PM) are trying to put people in a queue for NRC, as it was done during demonetisation".
"It is very essential to raise the voice of democracy for the country and for the Constitution. A central government cannot become dictatorial and impose it agenda on people," she said.
The protestors, many of whom gathered after offering Friday prayers at the mosque, raised slogans against the new legislation and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC).
"Is desh ko NRC, NPR nahi chaiye. Is desh ko rozgaar chahiye. Is desh ko aman aur shanti chahiye (This country does not need NRC, NPR, it needs jobs. The country needs peace and amity)," a protester said.
The protesters, who were carrying placards that read 'Save the Constitution, don't divide India', appealed to the people to remain non-violent.
"Those who create violence do not belong to us. This is a movement and it will go on. If someone disturbs our peace, that person doesn't belong to us, and that is to distract our movement. We would not tolerate any violence," the former MLA said.
Delhi Police has made elaborate arrangements to deal with possible untoward situation in the area considering the violence that broke out in the evening on Daryaganj main road last Friday. Adequate numbers of security personnel were present and check posts were erected on roads leading the mosque.
On the other hand, hundreds of people marching towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence to demand the release of Bhim Army chief Chandra Shekhar Azad and to voice their protest against the CAA and the NRC were stopped by police on Friday.
The protesters took part in the march with their hands tied so they can't be blamed for violence and arson during the protest.
The protesters, including Bhim Army members, began marching from the Jor Shahe Mardan Qarbala in Jor Bagh and were stopped by police at a barricade on the way to the prime minister's residence in Lok Kalyan Marg a few kilometres away.
(With ENS inputs)