Despite tense lines drawn between anti-CAA & NRC protesters and police forces across the country, a few stories of peace and camaraderie have surfaced through a week of national outrage. In a move that's won hearts and become viral across the last few hours, Bengaluru's DCP Chetan Singh Rathore appealed for peace and trust across both sides of the fence, by leading a chorus of the Indian national anthem.

The Commissioner can be heard saying: “When you are part of any group, you might get swayed by mob mentality. And there can also be a few hiding among you with that mentality. And if that person takes advantage of this, all of us will get beaten up.”

“You are right, you are right,” agreed the protestors.

The DCP further said, “Now, if you trust me, then I will sing a song. And all the countrymen will stand with me.”

As he began singing, the protesters also joined him. In a touching moment of solidarity, the protestors sang through all five stanzas of the anthem. Several protesters were agitated as around 100 people, including eminent historian Ramchandra Guha, were detained by the cops. They later vacated the area peacefully, according to news agency ANI. 

Historian Ram Guha detained by police for protesting peacefully...

It's all caught on camera. A completely peaceful, unprovoked protest by a man of such an age and this is how police treats himðpic.twitter.com/llR8IkO41S

— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) December 19, 2019

Meanwhile, DCP Rathore blew up on social media - with several Indians from both sides appreciating the peaceful way in which he managed to earn the trust of Bengaluru's protesters.

#WATCH Karnataka: DCP of Bengaluru(Central),Chetan Singh Rathore sings national anthem along with protesters present at the Town Hall in Bengaluru, when they were refusing to vacate the place. Protesters left peacefully after the national anthem was sung. #CitizenshipAmendmentAct pic.twitter.com/DLYsOw3UTP

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2019

#WATCH Karnataka: DCP of Bengaluru(Central),Chetan Singh Rathore sings national anthem along with protesters present at the Town Hall in Bengaluru, when they were refusing to vacate the place. Protesters left peacefully after the national anthem was sung. #CitizenshipAmendmentAct pic.twitter.com/DLYsOw3UTP

— ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2019

Others remained skeptical, however.

Sir @HMOIndia,

Seeing a lot of videos of poIice being assauIted, stoned, Iync**d by vioI**t mob despite 144. Such incidents are incredibIy demoralising for our forces.

If permission was given to f*re on vioI**t mob during Jat agitation and Ram Rahim sentencing, what stops now?

— THE SKIN DOCTOR (@theskindoctor13) December 19, 2019

Meanwhile, at Delhi's Jantar Mantar, a similar incident took place, this time led by the protesters. 

In a country with over 50 percent population under the age of 25, the young are leading the way in teaching how to engage, talk to each other. This one where they convince @DelhiPolice to sing the Indian national anthem. Small lesson for the police there! #CAAProtest pic.twitter.com/cGUEo5brmD

— Neha Dixit (@nehadixit123) December 19, 2019

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