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| Toll rises to 22 in Delhi violence as Modi issues plea for calm | Toll rises to 22 in Delhi violence as Modi issues plea for calm |
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| NEW DELHI — The sit-in where women had gathered to protest a new citizenship law was gone, the posters torn and trampled. The mosque next door stood charred and silent, its floor marked with smeared blood. Stillness filled a major road, empty except for stray dogs picking their way through debris. | NEW DELHI — The sit-in where women had gathered to protest a new citizenship law was gone, the posters torn and trampled. The mosque next door stood charred and silent, its floor marked with smeared blood. Stillness filled a major road, empty except for stray dogs picking their way through debris. |
| A tense calm settled on a swath of India’s capital Wednesday after a stunning outbreak of communal violence this week left at least 22 dead. The riots are the worst such clashes to hit Delhi in decades and came as President Trump made his first official visit to India. | A tense calm settled on a swath of India’s capital Wednesday after a stunning outbreak of communal violence this week left at least 22 dead. The riots are the worst such clashes to hit Delhi in decades and came as President Trump made his first official visit to India. |
| Mobs of Hindus and Muslims had clashed on roads and alleyways in northeast Delhi, throwing stones and crude gasoline bombs. At least four mosques were torched, as were scores of homes and businesses. Witnesses said that instead of stopping the violence, police joined crowds shouting Hindu nationalist slogans and fired indiscriminately. | Mobs of Hindus and Muslims had clashed on roads and alleyways in northeast Delhi, throwing stones and crude gasoline bombs. At least four mosques were torched, as were scores of homes and businesses. Witnesses said that instead of stopping the violence, police joined crowds shouting Hindu nationalist slogans and fired indiscriminately. |
| Trump’s second day in India: Violence in Delhi and support for Modi on ‘religious freedom’ | Trump’s second day in India: Violence in Delhi and support for Modi on ‘religious freedom’ |
| On Wednesday afternoon, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended days of silence on the riots. He issued an appeal for calm, urging people in Delhi to “maintain peace and brotherhood at all times” and restore normalcy. | On Wednesday afternoon, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended days of silence on the riots. He issued an appeal for calm, urging people in Delhi to “maintain peace and brotherhood at all times” and restore normalcy. |
| This week’s violence marked the second time in Modi’s political career that he has presided over a significant episode of communal violence. In 2002, when he was chief minister of the state of Gujarat, more than 1,000 people were killed, mostly Muslims, in three days of riots. A court-appointed panel cleared Modi of involvement in the violence. | This week’s violence marked the second time in Modi’s political career that he has presided over a significant episode of communal violence. In 2002, when he was chief minister of the state of Gujarat, more than 1,000 people were killed, mostly Muslims, in three days of riots. A court-appointed panel cleared Modi of involvement in the violence. |
| Why protests are erupting over India’s new citizenship law | Why protests are erupting over India’s new citizenship law |
| The riots in Delhi took place against a backdrop of rising tensions over a controversial citizenship law passed by the Modi government in December. Critics say the measure is unconstitutional and deepens fears that Muslims will be treated like second-class citizens in Modi’s India. Protests against the law have erupted nationwide, with Indians of all religions taking part. | The riots in Delhi took place against a backdrop of rising tensions over a controversial citizenship law passed by the Modi government in December. Critics say the measure is unconstitutional and deepens fears that Muslims will be treated like second-class citizens in Modi’s India. Protests against the law have erupted nationwide, with Indians of all religions taking part. |
| But Muslims have led the opposition to the law. Meanwhile, members of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have engaged in increasingly strident rhetoric against the protesters. During the run-up to an election in Delhi this month, BJP leaders called protesters criminals and traitors who deserved to be shot. | But Muslims have led the opposition to the law. Meanwhile, members of Modi’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have engaged in increasingly strident rhetoric against the protesters. During the run-up to an election in Delhi this month, BJP leaders called protesters criminals and traitors who deserved to be shot. |
| Tania Dutta contributed reporting. | Tania Dutta contributed reporting. |
| Trump praises Modi’s record on religious tolerance as violence erupts over India’s treatment of Muslims | |
| India’s Muslims rush to collect documents after new law fuels anxiety over their citizenship status | India’s Muslims rush to collect documents after new law fuels anxiety over their citizenship status |
| Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world | Today’s coverage from Post correspondents around the world |
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