Anti-CAA stir continues in Delhi on new year day; Swara Bhasker attends protest at Jamia

 Amid new year celebrations, protests against amended citizenship continued in various parts of national capital including at Shaheen Bagh, Jamia Millia Islamia and at India Gate where agitators took a pledge to "defend Constitution".

At Jamia Millia Islamia, which has become epicentre of protests in Delhi against amended citizenship law, scores of students and civil society members carrying tricolour and banners squatted on one carriway of ro outside university.

Bollywood actor Swara Bhasker and her co-star from 'Raanjhanaa' Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub attended a public meeting on new legislation outside university and lauded protestors' efforts in continuing agitation.

"We have woken up late but w we have woken up. You have woken up entire country. We are here to thank you," Bhasker said and termed Citizenship (Amendment) Act a "targeted" law.

While Ayyub raised slogans 'Hum EK Hain' and 'Inquilab Zindab', Bhasker recited lyricist Varun Grover's poem against citizenship law which has punchline 'Hum kaagaz nahi dikhayenge (We won't show documents)'.

Following public meeting, a candlelight march was organised by alumni association of university outside gate number 7, which has become a protest site after December 15 violence. students of Jamia welcomed New year with cries of 'Inquilab Zindab' and 'Azai'.

sit-in protest by women at Shaheen Bagh continued after a night where y welcomed new year by singing national anm and raising slogan 'Azai'. Bhasker visited protest site after dressing garing at Jamia Millia Islamia.

Almost 11 kilometres away at India Gate, slogans such as "Hum kaagaz nahi dikhayenge" and "tanashahi nahin chalegi" rent air.

number of protesters as well as visitors, who were out to celebrate New Year on a sunny day, swelled around iconic monument causing traffic to virtually crawl in joining areas.

Celebrating new year by "reing preamble", protesters, including students from various universities, n took a pledge that y will "t show any document", referring to planned National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR).

Several activists and artistes gared at Constitution Club of India under aegis of Safdar Hashmi Memorial Trust (SAHMAT) and recited poems, sang songs and took part in plays to express ir solidarity with people protesting amended citizenship law.

PinjraTod, a women's collective of students and alumni of colleges across Delhi, alleged that a march being carried out by women in Jaffrab was halted by police and RAF personnel, who even demanded ir dress proof.

A senior police officer said women were t halted or threatened but were told that prohibitory orders, banning assembly of four or more persons, were in place following which y left area.