New Delhi, India is witnessing a surge of protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), a law critics argue discriminatively targets Muslims. Demonstrations have emerged in multiple states, signaling widespread unrest just as the country approaches a general election.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Narendra Modi government is encountering significant opposition as protests unfold in regions such as Assam and Tamil Nadu. Protestors have resorted to burning copies of the CAA and chanting slogans to express their disapproval, reflecting a growing sentiment against the law’s perceived bias. In Assam, opposition factions have escalated their response by organizing a statewide strike, indicating the depth of resistance to the CAA.

Additionally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has mobilized in Kerala, initiating state-wide demonstrations to contest what they deem a “communal and divisive” statute. The CAA’s implementation has revived tensions in Delhi as well, where significant protests occurred in 2019. Authorities are ramping up security measures to mitigate the risk of violence, including restrictions on gatherings and heightened police surveillance in vulnerable locales.

The heart of the controversy lies in the CAA’s provision to fast-track citizenship for non-Muslim refugees from neighboring Muslim-majority countries, which has incited fears among rights advocates and Muslim communities about its exclusionary implications, especially when paired with the proposed national citizen registry.