Image copyright AFP Police and demonstrators have fought pitched battles 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.
Police used tear gas and truncheons as hundreds of protesters torched buses and blocked roads.
Protests have raged across north and east India since the law was passed.
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.
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.
Why is the law so divisive?
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.
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.
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.
Click Here to Visit Orignal Source of Article https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-50802653
