NEW DELHI: Protests continue in large crowds in major cities of India against controversial citizenship law that is based on religion.
The rallies against the law over the past few days have often turned violent, with six, where police have fired tear gas and arrested hundreds of people.
According to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the measure is meant to protect persecuted minorities, but critics see it as part of a master plan by him and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to define India as a Hindu nation and move away from its secular foundations.
The official authorities earlier imposed a ban on gatherings of more than four people in some of the cities.
During the protest which began since last week, at least 21 people, including 12 policemen, has been injured. Eight people were arrested for rioting and arson, police.
Read more: Indian movie stars speak about Indian citizenship act
The law allows New Delhi to grant citizenship to non-Muslim nationals from three neighbouring countries follows other policies from the government of Modi that critics say are designed to marginalize Muslims in the Hindu-majority nation.
The law gives migrants fleeing persecution from neighbouring Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh an easier path to citizenship, except that Muslims 14 percent of India’s population are excluded.
Also read: Indian citizenship act: UN chief expresses concerns
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