Muslims in India protest ‘anti-secular’ Citizenship Act
Thousands of Indian Muslims took to the streets across the country on Friday as anger over new citizenship legislation grew.
Violent protests have erupted since the controversial law was passed by the parliament earlier this week.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government's bill will allow citizenship for persecuted Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who fled Muslim-majority Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before 2015.
The bill excludes Muslims living in the remote northeast -- a move critics say undermines the secular constitution.
(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PROTESTER, SAYING:
"We are happy. People of religions are happy and living peacefully. But we are protesting the bill which is dividing people. India is a secular country and let it remain secular."
(SOUNDBITE) (Hindi) PROTESTER, SAYING:
"The ruling government is only trying to weaken the foundation of the country (through this Act). All these Muslims that you are seeing are fighting to strengthen the basic foundation of India."
The UN human rights office voiced concern over the law on Friday -- saying it was "fundamentally discriminatory in nature" by excluding Muslims.
