- Title: Thousands take to streets to protest Citizenship law in India
- Date: 27th December 2019
- Summary: KOLKATA, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (DECEMBER 27, 2019) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) PROTESTERS AND OTHERS GATHERED FLAGS IN HANDS OF PROTESTERS VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS, SOME WITH FLAGS, PLACARDS, AND BANNERS MARCHING (SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) INDIA'S OPPOSITION CONGRESS PARTY, ABHIJIT MUKHERJEE, SAYING: "Till the time they don't withdraw (Citizenship Amendment Act) the rallies will continue to take place, these protests will continue as this is our right. The constitution of the country is impartial, there is tolerance and it is not communal." SILIGURI, WEST BENGAL, INDIA (DECEMBER 27, 2019) (ANI - NO USE INDIA) VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS INCLUDING, SECRETARY, DARJEELING DISTRICT, REGIONAL SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF INDIA (COMMUNIST) PARTY, GAUTAM BHATTACHARYA (FIRST ROW, WEARING SPECTACLES AND BROWN JACKET) WITH PLACARD, BANNERS WALKING AND RAISING SLOGANS BANNER CARRIED BY PROTESTERS READING (English): 'NO NRC NO CAA'/PROTESTERS WALKING VARIOUS OF PROTESTERS WALKING AND RAISING SLOGANS (SOUNDBITE) (English) SECRETARY, DARJEELING DISTRICT, REGIONAL SOCIALIST UNITY CENTRE OF INDIA (COMMUNIST) PARTY, GAUTAM BHATTACHARYA, SAYING: "It is (does) not attack only the Muslim community but attack on the Hindus (unclear) peoples (people) also. I think that it is the fight for the existence of the 1.3 crore peoples (people) of India."
- Embargoed: 10th January 2020 15:11
- Keywords: Citizenship Amendment Act India Jama Masjid Muslims New Delhi protests
- Location: KOLKATA, SILIGURI, WEST BENGAL/MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA/NEW DELHI, INDIA
- City: KOLKATA, SILIGURI, WEST BENGAL/MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA/NEW DELHI, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,Civil Unrest
- Reuters ID: LVA001BBR31AN
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Thousands of protesters came out on the streets across India on Friday (December 27) to demand the government to repeal a Citizenship law that grants citizenship to minorities of neighbouring nations on the basis of religion.
The Citizenship Amendment Act makes it easier for people from non-Muslim minorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who settled in India prior to 2015 to get Indian citizenship.
Protesters in India's eastern Kolkata, Siliguri and New Delhi took out rallies, where they raised slogans, carried placards, flags and posters to condemn the government. In western Mumbai city protesters sang anti-government songs as they staged demonstrations.
At least 25 people have been killed in protests across the country since the law, seen as discriminatory towards Muslims, was adopted on December 11.
Critics say the exclusion of Muslims is discriminatory and that the award of citizenship based on religion is an attack on the secular constitution.
Meanwhile in Mumbai city, former chief of Maharashtra state along with India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party supporters took part in a rally to support the law. - Copyright Holder: ANI (India)
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2019. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
