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Citizenship Amendment Act: Unrest erupts in Delhi | |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police have clashed with demonstrators in parts of the Indian capital, Delhi, during protests over a controversial new law on migrants. | Police have clashed with demonstrators in parts of the Indian capital, Delhi, during protests over a controversial new law on migrants. |
The new law entitles non-Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries to citizenship if they are facing religious persecution. | The new law entitles non-Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries to citizenship if they are facing religious persecution. |
Police used tear gas and truncheons against protesters as buses were torched and roads were blocked. | |
Protests have raged across north and east India since the law was passed. | Protests have raged across north and east India since the law was passed. |
Six people have been killed in the five days of unrest. | Six people have been killed in the five days of unrest. |
This weekend, demonstrators in West Bengal blocked key national highways while in Assam, the state government briefly lifted a curfew to allow people to buy essential goods. | This weekend, demonstrators in West Bengal blocked key national highways while in Assam, the state government briefly lifted a curfew to allow people to buy essential goods. |
The UK, US and Canada have issued travel warnings for people visiting India's north-east, telling their citizens to "exercise caution" if travelling to the region. | The UK, US and Canada have issued travel warnings for people visiting India's north-east, telling their citizens to "exercise caution" if travelling to the region. |
What happened in Delhi? | What happened in Delhi? |
Students of the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia university held a protest march which ended in clashes with the police. | Students of the prestigious Jamia Millia Islamia university held a protest march which ended in clashes with the police. |
It is still unclear who started the violence but stones were thrown at the police who retaliated with tear gas. | |
At least three buses and several motorcycles were set on fire. | At least three buses and several motorcycles were set on fire. |
University students distanced themselves from the violence and some police officers privately admitted that local troublemakers were behind the trouble, the BBC's Kinjal Pandya reports. | University students distanced themselves from the violence and some police officers privately admitted that local troublemakers were behind the trouble, the BBC's Kinjal Pandya reports. |
The university said police later entered the campus without permission and assaulted staff and students. | The university said police later entered the campus without permission and assaulted staff and students. |
Police said they did what was necessary to stop the protests. | Police said they did what was necessary to stop the protests. |
Schools near the university in southern Delhi have been asked to remain closed on Monday. | Schools near the university in southern Delhi have been asked to remain closed on Monday. |
Why is the law so divisive? | Why is the law so divisive? |
The law allows non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who entered India illegally, to become citizens. | The law allows non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, who entered India illegally, to become citizens. |
The Hindu-nationalist BJP government argues that the law aims to accommodate those who have fled religious persecution, the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from Delhi. | The Hindu-nationalist BJP government argues that the law aims to accommodate those who have fled religious persecution, the BBC's Anbarasan Ethirajan reports from Delhi. |
Critics say the law is part of the government's agenda to marginalise Muslims, and that it violates secular principles enshrined in the constitution. | Critics say the law is part of the government's agenda to marginalise Muslims, and that it violates secular principles enshrined in the constitution. |
Earlier this week the United Nations Human Rights office voiced concern that the new law was fundamentally discriminatory in nature. | Earlier this week the United Nations Human Rights office voiced concern that the new law was fundamentally discriminatory in nature. |
Meanwhile, many Assamese argue that outsiders will take over their land and jobs - eventually dominating their culture and identity. | Meanwhile, many Assamese argue that outsiders will take over their land and jobs - eventually dominating their culture and identity. |
The government denies any religious bias and says Muslims are not covered by the new law because they are not religious minorities, and therefore do not need India's protection. | The government denies any religious bias and says Muslims are not covered by the new law because they are not religious minorities, and therefore do not need India's protection. |