The World Federation of Muslim Scholars today called on the Indian government to reverse the new nationality law, which it described as "racist with distinction against Muslims." This coincides with continued demonstrations in several Indian cities protesting the controversial law, and holding Prime Minister Narendra Modi responsible for the violence in the country in protest of the law.

The new law permits the granting of Indian citizenship to irregular immigrants with the nationalities of Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan, provided they are not Muslims and face persecution because of their religion in their predominantly Muslim countries.

Opponents of the law see it as part of the Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Nirendra Modi's program to reshape India as a Hindu nation, which the Modi party vehemently denied, stressing that the law would provide a haven for those fleeing religious persecution.

Today in a statement, the World Federation of Muslim Scholars warned that the citizenship law "will result in forced evictions and hatred", strongly condemning the killing of peaceful demonstrators who demanded their legitimate rights, praising "the non-Muslims standing with their Muslim brothers to affirm the common fate."

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Economic boycott
The Federation also called on the United Nations, human rights institutions and the Islamic world to "stand legally and economically against this dangerous trend until the Indian government returns from this law."

On the other hand, the Indian Prime Minister held the opposition in his country responsible for the violence that erupted in protest of the nationality law.

"The main opposition is trying to spread lies and fear regarding the citizenship law," Moody said - during a mass gathering today in the capital, New Delhi.

Moody considered that all kinds of methods were tried in order to remove him from power, denying that the new law was anti-Muslim.

"The law has no impact on 1.3 billion Indians ... I assure the Muslim citizens of India that this law will not change anything for them ... My government is proposing reforms without any religious bias," he said.

Protests calling for repealing the law continued in several Indian cities today, as the number of victims of the demonstrations increased from its inception to 24 dead and dozens of wounded, in addition to thousands of detainees.

The capital, New Delhi, witnessed several demonstrations, and clashes erupted between demonstrators and the police in 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh state (north of the country).

Indian authorities imposed a state of emergency, blocked the Internet, and closed restaurants and shops in several cities across the country.

The police also fired bullets and tear gas, chased protesters with batons, and arrested hundreds of people across the country amid increased violence, without discouraging them from continuing protests against the law.