India's Citizenship Law Riot: 17 Protesters Killed, Modi in Emergency Meeting

The number of people killed in clashes with Indian police continues to rise, but the government does not intend to change the citizenship law despite allegations of discrimination against Muslims. The Prime Minister, who has been disabling the Internet across the country for days, meets with his ministers to take security measures against the uprising

India's Citizenship Law Riot: 17 Protesters Killed, Modi in Emergency Meeting

The number of people killed in demonstrations against the Indian Citizenship Act, which exacerbates the Muslim minority, has risen to 17 people after three protesters were killed in clashes with police on Saturday. Police chief in Uttar Pradesh warned that "number of fatalities may rise," without providing further details on recent fatalities.

The uprising against the new law, which claims to discriminate against Muslims, represents the most significant opposition to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government since taking office in 2014. A government official today said Modi is holding an emergency meeting with the council to discuss security measures aimed at preventing the violent protests. The government said there was no way the law would change.

In other parts of India, anger at the law stems from being seen as discriminatory against Muslims and as a law that makes religion a criterion for citizenship in a country that is proud of its secular constitution. "This legislation is at the heart of the Constitution and seeks to make India a completely different country," wrote prominent historian Ramachandra Joa in the Indian Telegraph newspaper. "That's why so many people from many different walks of life raised their voices against it." Joa was released from custody after being held for protest against the law in the southern city of Bangalore. Opposition to the law has grown through regional party leaders in the state who vowed to prevent their implementation in their states.

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Protests in northeast India (Photo: Reuters)

Northeast India demonstrations, December 21, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

The law paves the way for citizenship for religious minorities who fled from neighboring Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh, except for Muslims. Opponents say this is further proof that Modi, who strengthened after his resounding victory in this year's election and gave him a second term, is working quickly to reshape India as a Hindu nation and weaken its secular character.

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahatir Muhammad has also criticized the law, saying it is unfair. Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of the Islamic summit in Kuala Lumpur, Muhammad said that India is a secular state and people's religions should not prevent them from citizenship. "Keeping Muslims away from becoming citizens, even in an appropriate process, I think is unfair," he said.

The Indian Information Ministry yesterday ordered broadcasters across the state to refrain from using content that could fuel the violence and called for "strict compliance" of the instructions. Samogel Bhattacharya, Assam's student union leader, said "Thousands of women are protesting across Assam. Movement against the law is gaining momentum every day." Uttar Pradesh, considered a popular country in India, has faced the most severe violence in India with nine killed so far, and human rights activists say police raided their homes and offices to prevent them from planning further protests.

Finger against the police: Muslim women who have become a symbol of protest in India

Protests against New Delhi's Citizenship Law (Photo: Reuters)

Demonstration against Citizenship Law, New Delhi, India, December 19, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

In an effort to stem the protests, Indian authorities have disabled phones and Internet access in parts of the country. While the protest is mainly led by students, many other sections of the Indian public are facing blockades of the media, including in New Delhi, West Bengal, Aligarh and the entire state of Assam, throughout the days since the passing of parliamentary law.

In Aligarh, where police used violence against students and fired tear gas at university premises last week, Internet services have also been suspended today, for the sixth consecutive day. Services were also suspended in the capital of Uttar Pradesh. Authorities have revamped Internet services in the northern border state of Assam, the center for anti-immigrant activities in Bangladesh, where protests began last week.

The resentment against Bangladeshi immigrants has continued for years in Assam, one of India's poorest countries, where foreigners are accused of stealing the land and jobs of local residents. Under the control of the Nationalist ruling party, Assam has long faced clashes between the Hindu majority and members of the Muslim minority.

India's police forces disperse protests in the northeast (Photo: Reuters)

India's police forces disperse protests in northeastern state, December 21, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

The Internet disconnection method is especially beloved by Modi's government. According to the New Delhi Center for Freedom of Surfing, authorities have disrupted the Internet 102 times so far in the past year. Last year, the #KeepItOn coalition supported by 191 organizations around the world, and the nonprofit Access Now, reported that out of 196 internet disruptions in 25 countries - India accounts for the majority of 134 of them.

Since Modi’s nationalist Hindu government came to power, the internet has been cut off more than 360 times. It is a tactic used in totalitarian regimes around the world, such as Egypt, where police have blocked more than 500 sites in recent years to suppress an uprising. In Iran, too, which has faced protests against rising gas prices, the internet was shut down last month, and restrictions are being placed on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other websites as a regular.

Protests in northeast India (Photo: Reuters)

Northeast India demonstrations, December 21, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Protests in northeast India (Photo: Reuters)

Northeast India demonstrations, December 21, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)

Indian police in one of the demonstration centers (Photo: Reuters)

India's police forces disperse protests in northeastern state, December 21, 2019 (Photo: Reuters)