Citizenship bill / Bhim Army chief detained while leading anti-CAA protest at Jama Masjid

New Delhi: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad escaped police custody and ran after leading a huge protest against the citizenship law at Jama Masjid in the old quarters of Delhi on Friday. He had been detained after a protest along with hundreds of supporters, during which he shouted slogans and waved flags from the steps of the historic mosque, dramatically defying the police.

Chandrashekhar Azad had managed to dodge the police and had surfaced suddenly inside the gates of Jama Masjid just after Friday prayers, holding up a copy of the constitution and a photo of BR Ambedkar. He was detained soon after.

The Delhi Police had denied permission to Chandrashekhar Azad's protest march against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar in the heart of Delhi. But he tweeted that he would make it to the area anyway, and he did. "Please ignore the rumours of my arrest. I am reaching Jama Masjid," he tweeted.

Slogans of "Jai Bhim" rang out from the steps of Jama Masjid as Azad, who had covered his face with a blue jacket, emerged on the steps. Scores of policemen, prepared to push back against the protests, stayed on the other side of the gates, keeping a cautious eye on the rapidly swelling crowds. Drones were also deployed to monitor the situation.

Mr Azad, 31, read out the preamble to the Constitution, the crowd chanting alongside. Protesters inside the mosque complex then spilled over to the road, shouting slogans and wearing black bands.

The narrow streets near the Jama Masjid in the old quarters of Delhi rapidly filled up with crowds carrying flags and placards.

The police had been prepared for potential trouble but appeared hopelessly outnumbered.

Police personnel were seen engaging with religious leaders to try and get the situation within control. When they finally got hold of Mr Azad, they detained him. But as the police were about to take him in their vehicle, Azad broke away and vanished into the crowds.

Several protesters were detained on Thursday from a protest against the citizenship law about a kilometre away near Red Fort.

Section 144, or a ban on large gatherings, was enforced in the Red Fort area yesterday. The restriction was lifted to enable Friday prayers or namaaz at the Jama Masjid.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act aims at making it easier to granting citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Opposition parties, activists, celebrities and students protesting against the law say it discriminates against Muslims and is inimical to constitutional principles of secularism and equality.

Mr Azad, 31, read out the preamble to the Constitution, the crowd chanting alongside. Protesters inside the mosque complex then spilled over to the road, shouting slogans and wearing black bands.

The narrow streets near the Jama Masjid in the old quarters of Delhi rapidly filled up with crowds carrying flags and placards.

The police had been prepared for potential trouble but appeared hopelessly outnumbered.

Police personnel were seen engaging with religious leaders to try and get the situation within control. When they finally got hold of Mr Azad, they detained him. But as the police were about to take him in their vehicle, Azad broke away and vanished into the crowds.

Several protesters were detained on Thursday from a protest against the citizenship law about a kilometre away near Red Fort.

Section 144, or a ban on large gatherings, was enforced in the Red Fort area yesterday. The restriction was lifted to enable Friday prayers or namaaz at the Jama Masjid.

The Citizenship (Amendment) Act aims at making it easier to granting citizenship to non-Muslims from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. Opposition parties, activists, celebrities and students protesting against the law say it discriminates against Muslims and is inimical to constitutional principles of secularism and equality.