Mangaluru : Former MLA Mohiuddin Bava has urged people to gather in large numbers at Nehru Maidan on January 4 to participate in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and National Register of Citizens (NRC).

Addressing a press meet here, Bava said, “CAA divides people on the basis of religion. People are expected to produce proper documents under NRC or else they can be sent to refugee camps. NRC and CAB would harm people irrespective of caste and religion. Every person needs to come forward to protest against NRC and CAB.”

Condemning the police for resorting to lathi-charge and opening fire on the protesters during the agitation on December 19 in the city, Bava said, “There was no need to resort to lathi-charge as the protesters were protesting peacefully against the government’s decisions. But police resorted to lathi-charge to suppress the protesters. Police could have arrested the stone-pelters and also those who damaged public property. Why was there a need to kill innocent people in the firing?”

He urged people to protest peacefully on January 4 at Nehru Maidan and demand for the withdrawal of NRC and CAB.

Congress leaders Sahul Hameed, Mustafa, Jaleel and Asif were present.

Earlier, the Central Muslim Committee had said that the protest was initially planned for December 28, but due to Christmas and New Year celebrations, it was decided to postpone to January 4 so as not to inconvenience the public ahead of the festivities.