Bengaluru, December 19: Various Left, Dalit and Muslim outfits have called for a Karnataka bandh today in the state against the newly-passed Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC). Anticipating major protests, authorities have imposed Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) in several parts of Karnataka, including state capital Bengaluru. Citizenship Act 1955 - Citizenship Amendment Act 2019 Full Text: Know Two Laws About Indian Citizenship.

Large gatherings and sit-in demonstrations are banned in Bengaluru till December 21. "The ban has been imposed under section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) from 6 a.m. on Thursday to Saturday midnight in view of the shutdown call by social and student organisations," Bengaluru Police Commissioner Bhaskar Rao told news agency IANS. Educational institutes, however, will remain open across the city. Citizenship Amendment Bill Debate: Manipur to be Exempted Via Inner Line Permit, Says Amit Shah; Here's How ILP Will Offset CAB Impact.

Prohibitory orders have also been imposed in Kalaburagi, Shivamogga and Dakshin Kannada districts. School and colleges will remain closed in Kalaburgi where Police Commissioner MN Nagaraj said that permission was not given for a shutdown. In Shivamogga, Section 144 will remain imposed till December 21. Dakshin Kannada Deputy Commissioner Sindu B Roopesh also announced to extend restrictions in the district.

Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa Wednesday declared his government will "hundred percent" implement the Citizenship Amendment Act. On Tuesday, State Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai had also said that for "political reasons" several state governments are against CAA’s implementation, but taking the "constitutional position" Karnataka will implement it. Puducherry Joins Punjab, MP, Bengal, Kerala to Oppose CAA; CM V Narayanasamy Says Law Won't be Implemented.

The Citizen Amendment Act grants Indian citizenship to persecuted religious minorities, like Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians from the neighbouring Muslim-majority countries, like Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan. The Act is criticised as it leaves out Muslim sects facing religious persecution in these countries. Indigenous communities are also demanding the repeal of the CAA as it may change the demography of areas.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 19, 2019 08:42 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).