At least six people have died in violence across Uttar Pradesh as thousands took to the streets protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Internet services continue to be blocked in several parts of the country and Section 144 -- a law that bans gatherings of four or more people, effectively making protests illegal -- was imposed in cities across the UP and Karnataka.
Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in a statement on Friday evening, called the new citizenship law "discriminatory" and accused the BJP-led central government using "brute force to suppress dissent". She assured the people that her party "is fully committed to stand up and defend their fundamental rights and uphold the foundational values of our constitution."
Protesters in Old Delhi carrying Indian flags and "Save the Constitution" banners and marching from Jama Masjid to Jantar Mantar in the centre of the city were stopped at Delhi Gate. Delhi Police put up barricades to block the protesters but as the crowd grew larger, and a vehicle was set on fire outside a police station, police resorted to using water cannons and baton-charges to control the situation.
Earlier in the day, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad led a massive protest against the controversial law at Jama Masjid and called for a protest march to Jantar Mantar. At least 11 protestors were injured and taken to a government hospital nearby.
Delhi Metro has shut 17 station in response to the violence, including the busy Rajiv Chowk, Pragati Maidan and Khan Market stations.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Act for the first time makes religion the test of citizenship in India. The government says it will help minorities from three Muslim-dominated countries to get citizenship if they fled to India because of religious persecution. Critics say it is designed to discriminate against Muslims and violates the secular principles of the constitution.
