Rahul Gandhi to lead dharna against CAA & NRC on Monday

Days after absence of Congress' top leadership from protest against Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is all set to lead a dharna by his party in New Delhi on Monday. Informing about development, sources said that dharna will take place at Rajghat and that Opposition parties will also be part of protest. Earlier on December 20, Congress president Sonia Gandhi slammed BJP over ongoing anti-CAA protests across country.

Informing furr about Rahul Gandhi's dharna, sources said that he will sit on dharna at Mahatma Gandhi's Samadhi from 3-8 P.M. All senior leaders of party, including party chief Sonia Gandhi and General Secretary of AICC Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will also be present. Meanwhile, internet services in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh were restored on Sunday. protests against Citizenship Amendment Act had resulted in internet services being suspended in region on December 15 onwards.

READ: Congress Mirities Department protest against CAA & NRC in Hyderabad

Supreme Court refused to stay implementation of amended Citizenship Act on Wednesday, however, decided to study its constitutional validity. A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde and comprising of Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Surya Kant has asked Centre to file a response by second week of January, and hearing has been scheduled for January 22. SC asks Attorney General, representing Centre, to consider using audio-visual medium to make citizens aware of CAA.

READ: Congress President Sonia Gandhi slams BJP over anti-CAA protests

Meanwhile, protests that erupted last week in opposition to Citizenship Act, have refused to douse. Nation-wide protests by political parties, organisations and students were held on December 19, opposing bill passed by Parliament. Delhi, West Bengal, rastern states, Uttar Pradesh, are already witnessing massive protests. 

Political parties leading protests 

In a statement earlier, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury called on all district committees to mobilise ir workers to protest against BJP-led government's “unconstitutional moves” on Wednesday. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has been leading protest rallies in different parts of Kolkata for past four days. Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder Kamal Haasan was t allowed to enter Madras University when leader went to protest along with students. He spoke to students standing outside gate, asking m to continue ir agitation.

READ: Madhya Pradesh: Congress MLA's caste certificate found to be valid

READ: Anti-CAA Protests LIVE Updates: 16 dead in UP, internet services restored in Aligarh