CAA Protests: Opposition Leaders Meet President Ram Nath Kovind Over Police Action In Jamia

A delegation of Opposition leaders led by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday met President Ram Nath Kovind in the wake of nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act

Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP of shutting down people’s voices. (Image: ANI)

New Delhi: A delegation of Opposition leaders led by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday met President Ram Nath Kovind in the wake of nationwide protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act. While speaking to media after the meeting President Kovind, Sonia Gandhi said that the delegation expressed their concerns over Centre's implementation of the controversial law. "Situation in the country is very serious at the moment and may spread to other parts of the country," she cautioned. Sonia Gandhi accused the BJP of shutting down people’s voices. “The situation is very serious, and we are very anguished at the manner in which police have dealt with peaceful protesters,” Gandhi said after the meeting. The opposition has demanded a judicial probe into Sunday’s police action against Jamia students.

Letter to @rashtrapatibhvn expressing concern over protests & police aggression towards students due to CAA, signed by Congress President Smt. Sonia Gandhi & Senior leaders of Congress & Opposition Parties. #HumaraDeshJalRahaHai pic.twitter.com/NP0ZdrbztH

— Congress (@INCIndia) December 17, 2019

"The situation in the Northeast which is now spreading  throughout country including the capital because of the act, is a very serious situation, we fear that it may spread even further. We're anguished at the manner in which police dealt with peaceful demonstration," Sonia Gandhi said. "We have an example in Delhi where Police entered the Jamia women hostel and dragged them out, it mercilessly beat students. I think you all have seen that Modi govt seems to have no compassion when it comes to shutting down people's voices and implement legislation," she said. Sonia Gandhi also expressed concerns about the situation the ongoing protest in New Delhi's Jamia Millia Islamia University and said the police action was not justified. She  also requested President Kovind to intervene in the matter, including that of the protests happening in the national capital. "Demonstration is the democratic right of the students," she said. The opposition leaders had on Monday said they would lodge their protest with the president against the government over the police action and the amendments to the citizenship law.