India PM appeals for calm as citizenship protests grow

India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has appealed for calm
as violent protests against a new law on illegal migrants
continued for a fifth day.
Large rallies have been taking place in the capital Delhi,
Mumbai, Hyderabad and Kolkata (formerly Calcutta).
Monday’s protests came a day after clashes between police
and protesters in Delhi left at least 50 injured.
Protesters are angry at a law entitling citizenship to some non-
Muslim migrants from three Muslim-majority countries.
The leader of India’s opposition Congress Party, Sonia Gandhi,
accused the government of creating an atmosphere of
religious tension for political interests.
The protests – which have left six people dead – began in the
north-eastern state of Assam last Thursday, before spreading
to other parts of northern and eastern India.
But people are divided on why they have taken to the streets.
Some critics said the law is anti-Muslim, while others –
especially in border regions – fear large-scale migration.
The law allows non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and
Afghanistan, who entered India illegally, to become citizens.
The PM attempted to calm tensions in a series of tweets as
students resumed their protests on Monday.
“No Indian has anything to worry regarding this act. This act is
only for those who have faced years of persecution outside
and have no other place to go except India,” the prime
minister wrote.
“This is the time to maintain peace, unity, and brotherhood.”
Authorities have tried to curb the protests by shutting down
internet services, so it is unclear how many people in affected
areas have seen his tweets. (BBC).