The protests rocking many states over the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill and the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens (NRC) have reached Jharkhand.

Mosques across the state capital witnessed silent demonstrations by Muslims on Friday against the law and the NRC, which are being seen by many as a pincer attack on the community.

There was no fixed timing for the agitation.

Some of the protesters covered their mouths with black cloth, while some others held placards denouncing the law and the NRC. None of them spoke to reporters. They just staged silent protests.

Near Hawari mosque at Karbala Chowk in Ranchi Picture by Prashant Mitra

Some of the protesters covered their mouths with black cloth, while some others held placards denouncing the law and the NRC. None of them spoke to reporters. They just staged silent protests.

General secretary of Anjuman Islamia, Mokhtar Ahmed, said the protests were organised on the call of state unit of Jamiyat Ulema Hind and Edar-e-Sharia, two national organisations of the community.

“The protests were widespread, but due to the ongoing state elections they were localised to mosques only,” Ahmed said.

A protester, who spoke to The Telegraph on condition of anonymity, said: “The time of offering namaaz on Friday is between 12.30pm and 2pm. It was planned that at each mosque we will stage the demonstration after the namaaz.

“The purpose of the protest was not to disturb anyone but to draw the attention of the common people and the government towards the problems the country may face due to the law and the NRC,” the protester added.