India: Anti-CAA protesters organize demonstrations in several cities from January 22 /update 30

Event

Anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters are organizing demonstrations in major cities across India, including Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Hyderabad starting from Wednesday, January 22. Protests are expected daily from Wednesday onward in the following cities:

• In Delhi all day on Wednesday at Shaheen Bagh (Okhla), from 19:00 to 20:00 (local time); at Jamah Masjid (Old Dehli), from 20:00 to 22:30; at Zakir Nagar Dhalan (Zakir Nagar) as of 18:30 in Waziribad; at the Main Road (Baba-ul-Uloom) as of 20:00; all day at Inderlok Metro Station (Daya Basti); and all day at the Turkman Gate (Chandni Chowk)
• In Chennai at the Valluvar Kottam Monument (Nungambakkam) from 15:00 to 20:00
• In Bangalore at the BBMP College Grounds (Chamrajpet) from 15:30 to 18:00
• Related protests are also planned daily from Wednesday onwards in Ahmedabad, Aligarh, Allahabad, Aurangabad, Bathinda, Bhilai, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Gaya, Hyderabad, Jalgaon, Jaipur, Kisanganj, Lucknow, Mumbra, Mysore, Nagpur, Nalanda, Nanded, Parbhani, Patna, Pune, Raipur, Siwan, and Vijaywada.

Protests are to be expected in the aforementioned cities and locations over the coming several days as government convenes for a four-week review period to respond to legal contestations. 

Additionally, protests are planned on specific dates in the following cities:

• In Mumbai, a march is scheduled on Sunday, January 26, from Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Gardens to Vashi Railway Station starting at 15:00
• In Delhi on Wednesday at Jamia Millia (Ghafoor Nagar) as of 13:00 and in Jafrabad and Seelampur from 15:00 to 20:00.

A heightened security presence and disruptions to transportation, business, and telecommunications are to be expected in the vicinity of all protests 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.

India's supreme court refused to strike down the law on January 22, prompting further protests. At least 30 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.