Thousands of Muslims marched for a short distance in Chennai on Wednesday to hold a protest against the center's policies on citizenship law despite the police declining permission. The crowd numbering at least 15,000, according to the police, walked towards the Secretariat and the District Collector's office.
TheMadras High Court had asked the protesters not to march to the Tamil Naduassembly but the protesters said they were on a peaceful protest and wouldn'tgo towards the assembly building.
Several Muslim groups that were leading the protesthave said the high court order does not apply to them as they were not maderespondents to the case.
However, the protesters are supported by the ruling AIADMKagainst the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA, which fast-tracks the processof giving citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim minorities from threeneighbouring countries. The AIADMK says the CAA doesn't affect Indian citizens.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister E Palaniswami, an ally ofthe BJP, has appealed to the protesters to maintain "communalharmony". "The Tamil Nadu government will not allow any move that isagainst Muslims," the Chief Minister said.
Thousands of policemen kept an eye on the protesters at Chepauk in thesouthern city. They have appealed to people against posting"provocative" messages on social media.
A few days ago, Chief Minister E Palaniswamiappealed to Muslims to cooperate for communal amity.
