India's Nationality Protests ... Demonstrations continue and death toll is rising

Protests calling for the repeal of the new nationality law are continuing in several Indian cities, while the number of victims of the demonstrations has risen to 24 dead and dozens injured, in addition to hundreds of detainees.

Anger has grown over the new law passed by parliament last week, which allows the Indian government to grant citizenship to millions of non-Muslim immigrants from three neighboring countries - Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan - and to face persecution because of their religion in their predominantly Muslim countries.

On the other hand, opponents say that the law is part of the program of Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Nirandra Modi to reconstitute India as a Hindu nation, which the Modi party strongly denied, stressing that the law will provide a haven for those fleeing religious persecution.

Demonstrations and emergency
During the past few days, the capital, New Delhi, witnessed several demonstrations against the law, which was considered an exclusion of Muslims. The protesters also burned a police car in front of the Parliament House.

Clashes erupted between demonstrators and the police in 15 districts of Uttar Pradesh (north of the country).

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

During the protests, police fired shots and tear gas, chased protesters with batons, and arrested hundreds of people across the country, amid increasing violence, but protesters vowed to continue their protests until the law is repealed.