New Delhi: A protest march against the Citizenship Amendment Act from the Jama Masjid from the Jantar Mantar on Friday was stopped by police at the Delhi Gate.
According to Delhi Police officials, a large posse of security forces was deployed at the Delhi Gate, near the Bahadur Zafar Shah Marg, and barricades were installed at Daryaganj Chowk, around a kilometre away towards the Jama Masjid.
Police had also deployed anti-riot Vajra vehicle and water cannons, if needed, to disperse the crowd.
A few thousand people had gathered at Jama Masjid earlier in the day to express resentment over the Act, and demand that the government roll it back immediately.
Earlier, Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, Ahmed Bukhari did not speak on the Citizenship Amendment Act during the Friday sermon which he gave in Arabic. Bukhari also did not speak on the ongoing protests on the issue.
A devotee, Riyaz Ahmed, said that not only Bukhari but others also did not speak on the issue.
Meanwhile, a large number of people staged a protest and raised slogans against the CAA after the Friday prayers at Jama Masjid.
A local resident Ilyas expressed surprise that nothing was spoken on the CAA. As the crowd swelled, he said that many people come here from outside to offer prayers, but there was no signal from the Shahi Imam.
As per reports, Bukhari on Tuesday had said that the CAA is not against the Muslims so they should not worry about it.
He had said that it has nothing to do with Indian Muslims and while protesting, people should not break the law.