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Modi Defends Indian Citizenship Law Amid Violent Protests Modi Defends Indian Citizenship Law Amid Violent Protests
(32 minutes later)
NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India delivered on Sunday his most impassioned defense yet of a sweeping citizenship law that favors every South Asian faith other than Islam, blaming opposition politicians spreading “lies” for increasingly deadly protests and accusing demonstrators of trying to destroy the country through vandalism and bloodshed. NEW DELHI — Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India used a political rally on Sunday to defend a citizenship law that has inspired mass demonstrations, accusing opposition politicians of “spreading lies” and protesters of trying to destroy the country through vandalism and bloodshed.
During an often combative speech to thousands of supporters in New Delhi, Mr. Modi signaled that he would not cede to protesters’ demands and scrap the contentious law, which critics argue is glaring evidence of his government’s plan to turn India into a Hindu-centric state and relegate 200 million minority Muslims to second-class citizens. During an often combative speech to thousands of supporters in New Delhi, Mr. Modi signaled that he would not scrap the law, which uses religion as a criterion for determining whether illegal migrants can be fast-tracked for Indian citizenship. Critics say it is glaring evidence of his government’s plan to turn India into a Hindu-centric state and marginalize 200 million minority Muslims.
“Respect the Parliament!” Mr. Modi said. “Respect the Constitution! Respect the people elected by the people! I challenge the ones who are spreading lies. If there is a smell of discrimination, then put me in front of the country.”“Respect the Parliament!” Mr. Modi said. “Respect the Constitution! Respect the people elected by the people! I challenge the ones who are spreading lies. If there is a smell of discrimination, then put me in front of the country.”
Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of Indians have taken to the streets in opposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which the Indian Parliament approved early this month. Around two dozen people have been killed since the protests began, and the authorities have been criticized for detaining demonstrators — including children — without legal recourse, shutting down internet and phone services, and firing live ammunition into crowds.Over the past two weeks, hundreds of thousands of Indians have taken to the streets in opposition of the Citizenship Amendment Act, which the Indian Parliament approved early this month. Around two dozen people have been killed since the protests began, and the authorities have been criticized for detaining demonstrators — including children — without legal recourse, shutting down internet and phone services, and firing live ammunition into crowds.
The demonstrations are the most significant challenge to Mr. Modi’s leadership since his Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power in 2014, but they have increasingly evolved into a broader fight over the very definition of India. Demonstrators say Mr. Modi’s government has resorted to authoritarianism and brute force to erode the country’s secular foundation, shrink space for religious minorities and move the country closer to a Hindu nation.The demonstrations are the most significant challenge to Mr. Modi’s leadership since his Bharatiya Janata Party rose to power in 2014, but they have increasingly evolved into a broader fight over the very definition of India. Demonstrators say Mr. Modi’s government has resorted to authoritarianism and brute force to erode the country’s secular foundation, shrink space for religious minorities and move the country closer to a Hindu nation.