Bhatkal: Thousands of people turned up at a massive protest against 'Citizenship Amendment Act' and NRC called by Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem here at Bhatkal on Monday, 23rd December.

The protest began with rally that commenced from Bhatkal Sports ground on national highway and passed through Shamsuddin circle before culminating at Anjuman Boys' high school ground, where the leaders from various social organizations and communities addressed the gathering. During the rally, Anti-CAA slogans were also shouted.

It is to be noted that Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem had also called for 'Bhatkal Bandh' today during the time of protest, following which most of the shops, office establishments and educational institutions remained closed.

On this occasion former president of Majlise Islah Wa Tanzeem Advocate Muzammil Kazia, well-known social worker Shiv Sundar, General Secretary of Tanzeem MJ Abdur Raqeeb Nadvi, CPIM leader Dr Shivprakash, Convenor of Protest Committee Inayatullah Shabandari, Bhatkal block Congress President Advocate Santosh Naik, CPIM district President Yamuna Gaonkar, Khateeb of Jaali Jamia Masjid Maulana Iqbal Naite Nadvi, and Namadhari community leader M R Naik addressed the protestors by hitting out CAB bill terming it as unconstitutional. They urged that the newly passed Citizenship Amendment Act should be withdrawn. The speakers also slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for trying to divide citizens of India on the basis of religious lines. Speakers urged that the people who try to bring change into the constitution are the nation haters, and the ones who try to preserve the constitution with dignity are the real patriotics.

Former General Secretary of Tanzeem Dr Haneef Shabab compered the event. Presiding over the event, Tanzeem president SM Syed Ahmed Parvez while addressing the gathering said that the fight against Citizenship Amendment Act will be continued until the Act is not withdrawn.

Advocate Imran Lanka read out the memorandum which was addressed to Chief Justice of India. The memorandum was then submitted through Bhatkal Assistant Commissioner. 

During the protest, heavy police security was deployed at every corner of the town, especially in the protest premises. 

The Bhatkal Auto rickshaw drivers' union and Taxi drivers' union too had extended their support for protest and had shut the services untill the end of protest.