Hyderabad police denies permission for women's anti-CAA protest, again

Hyderabad: Hyderabad police have denied permission for one-day protest sit-in by women groups against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The sit-in was scheduled to be held at Dharna Chowk, Hyderabad on February 16. “It is noticed that you have history of delivering provocative speeches, which may incite passions and disturb peace and harmony,” reads the order of the Additional Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad.

The order has evoked a sharp reaction from the anti CAA protesters. Mohd Mushtaq Malik, Convenor of TS and AP JAC told NewsMeter that the action of Hyderabad police tantamount to contempt of court.

“Telangana High Court has already given directions to city police to consider JAC application. But in spite of that the commissioner of police is denying us permission,” he said.

Malik said they would be approaching the High Court to initiate contempt proceedings against the police.

This is for the fourth consecutive time when Hyderabad police has denied permission for anti-CAA protests. Earlier on January 2, the 48- hour protest programme too was denied by the police.

“Already ample chances have been given to JAC for registering their protest and expressing opinion on CAA. You have been granted permission on January 4 at Dharna Chowk for 1000 strong gathering. But you mobilized around 70 to 80, 000 people causing traffic jam for six to eight hours," read the letter by Additional Commissioner to Malik.

In the light of continuous denial of permission, Telangana JAC has asked all Hyderabadis to hold peaceful protest at their respective localities on February 16 from 4 pm to 4:30 pm.

Meanwhile, Tamil Nadu police allegedly attacked a huge gathering of women protesters gathered at Washermanpet, Chennai on Friday. Many men and women were seriously injured in the incident

Federation of Tamil Nadu Muslim Women vehemently condemned the violent attack. “We urge the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu to pass resolution in the Assembly assuring the people that the government will not implement CAA-NPR-NRC,” said the protesters.