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Thousands of Indians Protest Contentious Citizenship Law

Published December 16th, 2019 - 07:24 GMT

Around 5,000 people started fresh rallies across India on Sunday against a contentious citizenship law, while police members stood to watch people singing, chanting and carrying banners with the words 'long live Assam'.

Moreover, in India's Assam region, four people killed after being shot by police, while another was killed when a shop he was sleeping in was set on fire.

The legislation, passed by the national parliament on Wednesday, allows New Delhi to grant citizenship to millions of illegal immigrants who entered India from three neighbouring countries on or before December 31, 2014 - but not if they are Muslim.

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A man walks on a street as a bus is on fire following a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in New Delhi on December 15, 2019. Angry protesters in northeast India vowed on December 15 to keep demonstrating against a contentious citizenship law as the death toll from bloody clashes opposing the bill rose to six. STR / AFP

A man walks on a street as a bus is on fire following a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in New Delhi on December 15, 2019. Angry protesters in northeast India vowed on December 15 to keep demonstrating against a contentious citizenship law as the death toll from bloody clashes opposing the bill rose to six. STR / AFP

A relative mourns next to the dead body of Ishwor Nayak, 25, who was killed after police fired during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) three days before, in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. The death toll from violent protests in northeast India against a contentious citizenship law has risen to six, officials said on December 15, as authorities maintained internet bans and curfews to quell unrest. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP

A relative mourns next to the dead body of Ishwor Nayak, 25, who was killed after police fired during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) three days before, in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. The death toll from violent protests in northeast India against a contentious citizenship law has risen to six, officials said on December 15, as authorities maintained internet bans and curfews to quell unrest. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP

A Muslim man holds a placard as he participates along with others in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Ahmedabad on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAM PANTHAKY / AFP

A Muslim man holds a placard as he participates along with others in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Ahmedabad on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAM PANTHAKY / AFP

A woman shouts as she takes part in a musical concert along with others to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

A woman shouts as she takes part in a musical concert along with others to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

A traditional painting is pictured at a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP

A traditional painting is pictured at a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP

Demonstrators take part in a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

Demonstrators take part in a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP

Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP

Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP

Indian left wing activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Home Minister Amit Shah during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in Siliguri on December 14, 2019. SILIGURI, INDIA

Indian left wing activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Home Minister Amit Shah during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in Siliguri on December 14, 2019. SILIGURI, INDIA

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

A protester displays placards during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

A protester displays placards during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

A man walks on a street as a bus is on fire following a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in New Delhi on December 15, 2019. Angry protesters in northeast India vowed on December 15 to keep demonstrating against a contentious citizenship law as the death toll from bloody clashes opposing the bill rose to six. STR / AFP
A relative mourns next to the dead body of Ishwor Nayak, 25, who was killed after police fired during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) three days before, in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. The death toll from violent protests in northeast India against a contentious citizenship law has risen to six, officials said on December 15, as authorities maintained internet bans and curfews to quell unrest. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
A Muslim man holds a placard as he participates along with others in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Ahmedabad on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAM PANTHAKY / AFP
A woman shouts as she takes part in a musical concert along with others to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
A traditional painting is pictured at a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
Demonstrators take part in a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP
Indian left wing activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Home Minister Amit Shah during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in Siliguri on December 14, 2019. SILIGURI, INDIA
Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP
A protester displays placards during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP
A man walks on a street as a bus is on fire following a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in New Delhi on December 15, 2019. Angry protesters in northeast India vowed on December 15 to keep demonstrating against a contentious citizenship law as the death toll from bloody clashes opposing the bill rose to six. STR / AFP
A man walks on a street as a bus is on fire following a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in New Delhi on December 15, 2019. Angry protesters in northeast India vowed on December 15 to keep demonstrating against a contentious citizenship law as the death toll from bloody clashes opposing the bill rose to six. STR / AFP
A relative mourns next to the dead body of Ishwor Nayak, 25, who was killed after police fired during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) three days before, in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. The death toll from violent protests in northeast India against a contentious citizenship law has risen to six, officials said on December 15, as authorities maintained internet bans and curfews to quell unrest. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
A relative mourns next to the dead body of Ishwor Nayak, 25, who was killed after police fired during a protest against the government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) three days before, in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. The death toll from violent protests in northeast India against a contentious citizenship law has risen to six, officials said on December 15, as authorities maintained internet bans and curfews to quell unrest. SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
A Muslim man holds a placard as he participates along with others in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Ahmedabad on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAM PANTHAKY / AFP
A Muslim man holds a placard as he participates along with others in a peaceful protest against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in Ahmedabad on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAM PANTHAKY / AFP
A woman shouts as she takes part in a musical concert along with others to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
A woman shouts as she takes part in a musical concert along with others to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
A traditional painting is pictured at a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
A traditional painting is pictured at a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
Demonstrators take part in a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Demonstrators take part in a musical concert to protest against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) in Guwahati on December 15, 2019. Some 5,000 people took part in a fresh demonstration in Guwahati on December 15, with hundreds of police watching on as they sang, chanted and carried banners with the words "long live Assam". Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP
Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP
Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. DIPTENDU DUTTA / AFP
Indian left wing activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Home Minister Amit Shah during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in Siliguri on December 14, 2019. SILIGURI, INDIA
Indian left wing activists of Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) shout slogans as they burn an effigy of India's Home Minister Amit Shah during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in Siliguri on December 14, 2019. SILIGURI, INDIA
Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP
Protesters shout slogans during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP
A protester displays placards during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP
A protester displays placards during a demonstration against the Indian government's Citizenship Amendment Bill in New Delhi on December 14, 2019. Protests against a divisive new citizenship law raged on December 14 as Washington and London issued travel warnings for northeast India following days of violent clashes that have killed two people so far. Jewel SAMAD / AFP

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