Activists, leaders who were detained during anti-CAA protests

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The nationwide protests against anti-CAA Bill have brought several cities to a standstill. Opposition leaders, intellectuals and social activists were among those who were detained in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai for staging protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. The law has been amended to enable grant of speedier citizenship to non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan if they had to leave their respective countries due to religious persecution.
Rail and road traffic was hit across several states. Mobile services, SMS services, internet and voice calls have been suspended in some parts of Delhi. Hundreds of people were detained across cities including some noted public figures. Here are some of them.

Doraisamy Raja

A former member of Rajya Sabha from Tamil Nadu Doraisamy Raja was detained at Mandi House during the anti-citizenship Act protest today for defying orders imposed by the Delhi Police. "We are being detained," D Raja told PTI just before he was put into a bus by the police.

Sitaram Yechury, CPM leader

Communist party leader Sitaram Yechury was also detained at Mandi House in the national capital during anti-CAA protests. The Delhi police said that permission had not been given for any protest march to the communist party from Mandi House to Jantar Mantar.

Nilotpal Basu, Left leader

Left leader Nilotpal Basu was also among those who were detained at Mandi House during the protests for defying prohibitory orders. Earlier, the agitators were detained at Red Fort where another protest by students and activists was set to begin.

Brinda Karat, CPIM Politburo member

CPIM Politburo member Brinda Karat was also detained at Mandi House in the same protest along with Sitaram Yechury, D Raja, Nilotpal Basu, and other leaders. The politician took a jibe at the ruling party saying BJP's domination would weaken further as it had failed to serve the people.

Kannan Gopinathan, former IAS

A handful of protestors including former IAS Kannan Gopinath were detained by Mumbai Police on December 13. The protestors, along with former IAS, decided to march at Marine Drive against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. After hearing about his detention, other leaders including Feroze Mithiborwala (Bharat Bachao Andolan), Fahad Ahmed, MA Khalid among others also reached the police station.

Ramachandra Guha, Historian

Eminent historian Ramachandra Guha was detained by the police for staging a protest against the CAA and NRC at the Town Hall. He was forcefully taken away from the site by police personnel and led to a vehicle parked nearby. According to the police, the protestors violated prohibitory orders which prohibited any kind of protest or demonstration in the city. "I feel sorry for the police. They are getting orders from Delhi. This is totally wrong. Peaceful and ordinary citizens are protesting. Our Home Minister would not allow a peaceful protest to take place. Everyone should stand up," said Guha.

Sandeep Dikshit, Congress leader

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit was detained by Delhi police at Mandi House while he was protesting against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019. According to Dikshit, he was not allowed to go to Red Fort for protests, so he came to Mandi House protest against the CAA.

Yogendra Yadav, Swaraj Abhiyan chief

Swaraj Abhiyan chief Yogendra Yadav was detained by the police near Red Fort. Yadav said he was "honoured" to be detained.

"It is an honour to be detained on the 19th of December, a small tribute to Ashfakulla Khan and Ramprasad Bismil. Happy to be in the company of Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, ex-MP, Patiala," he tweeted.

Umar Khalid, Student leader and activist

Student leader and activist Umar Khalid, along with other protestors, was detained at Red Fort by Delhi Police who had ordered a clampdown in Delhi NCR to curb possible protests.

Dharamvir Gandhi, Former MP

Former Patiala MP, Dr. Dharamvir Gandhi, along with Yoginder Yadav, was detained by the police for staging protests in Delhi. According to Gandhi, the law is against the Constitution of India and promotes communal hatred.