On December 20, thousands gathered at Delhi’s historic Jama Masjid to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the proposed all-India National Register of Citizens (NRC)

One night before, news began circulating that Dalit rights leader Chandra Shekhar Aazad would be holding a protest at the 17th-century mosque. This morning, there were rumours that Aazad had already been arrested before the protest could begin. At around 11 am, Aazad tweeted: “Don’t listen to news that I have been arrested. I am reaching Jama Masjid.”

True to his word, he reached the mosque and was identifiable in a blue jacket. At that time, people were filing into the mosque for prayers. As they were leaving the mosque, at around 1 pm, Aazad emerged on the steps of the mosque, took off his jacket, held up a copy of the constitution and amid loud cheers, addressed the crowd.

Several thousand had gathered around him, rendering his voice inaudible.

Raoul Amaar Abbas films the euphoria at Jama Masjid for The Wire.

Read more: https://thewire.in/rights/jama-masjid-anti-caa-protest-bhim-army

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