India: Fresh anti-CAA protests scheduled nationwide January 13-16 /update 29

Event

Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) activists are organizing demonstrations in several cities across India on Monday, January 13, including the following locations:

• In Delhi from 10:00 to 12:30 (local time) at the JMC College Main Gate, then at 12:40 at the Hansraj College, and also from 13:00 to 13:00 at the Kamala Nehru College
• In Hyderabad (Telangana) at 14:00 at the Crystal Gardens Function Hall
• In Mumbai (Maharashtra) at 18:00 at the Som Bus Stop
• In Pune (Maharashtra) at 18:00 at the Chetna Garden, and 19:00 at the Konark Indrayu Mall
• In Chennai (Tamil Nadu) at 15:00 at Valluvar Kottam
• In Guhawati (Assam) outside of the Assam Legislative Assembly
• In Jafrabad (Gujarat) at 18:00 at the Markazi Chowk 
• In Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) at 15:00 in Ghandi Park, East Fort

Further protests are expected in Delhi over the week. On Tuesday, January 14, a march is scheduled from 14:00 to 17:00 from the Indian Law Institute to Jantar Mantar, and a rally is scheduled starting from 12:00 at the Gate seven of the Jamia Islamia on Wednesday, January 15.

A heightened security presence and disruptions to transportation, business, and telecommunications are to be expected around protest-affected areas over the coming days. Clashes between protesters and police cannot be ruled out.

Context

The Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) seeks to provide citizenship to non-Muslim minorities fleeing religious persecution in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan. In conjunction with the National Register of Citizens (NRC), activists claim that it specifically seeks to target Indian Muslims. The NRC aims to identify illegal immigrants by requiring individuals to prove their citizenship based on specific documentation prior to a certain cut-off date. On November 20, Home Minister Amit Shah said that the NRC will be implemented nationwide. Opponents of the CAA argue that it isolates Muslim Indians by favoring all non-Muslim religious minorities who may fail to qualify for the NRC but will nonetheless be assured citizenship. The CAA has also received opposition - particularly in several northeastern states - due to fears that it will encourage an influx of immigrants that will affect the ethnic balance.

India's Supreme Court refused petitions to halt the implementation of the CAA on December 18. A hearing on the act has been scheduled for January 22. At least 27 people have been killed in clashes between police and protesters, and police officers have arrested several hundred demonstrators since December 11.

Advice

Individuals in India are advised to monitor developments, avoid all protests and demonstrations as violence may flare up without warning, and prepare for widespread disruptions to transportation, business, and telecommunications in protest-affected areas. If a demonstration is organized without warning, individuals are advised to refrain from crossing roadblocks, take shelter in a safe place, and avoid taking pictures. Travelers should adhere to all instructions issued by local authorities (especially if curfews are enforced) and their home governments.