An Indian Muslim participates in a protest against a new citizenship law that opponents say threatens India's secular identity, in Mumbai, India, on Friday, January 24.
In photos: Protesters rally against India's citizenship bill
An Indian Muslim participates in a protest against a new citizenship law that opponents say threatens India's secular identity, in Mumbai, India, on Friday, January 24.
Rafiq Maqbool/AP

Updated 0641 GMT (1441 HKT) January 28, 2020

Deadly protests have broken out in cities across India after the government officially approved the Citizenship Amendment Bill, or CAB. The new law could give Indian citizenship to immigrants from three neighboring countries -- but not if they are Muslim.

Opposition parties say the bill is unconstitutional as it bases citizenship on a person's religion and would further marginalize India's 200 million Muslims.

In response to protests, the Indian government has extended sweeping controls on demonstrations and imposed internet shutdowns.

A Muslim youth waves the Indian flag during a protest held by the Muslim community in Bangalore on January 24.
A Muslim youth waves the Indian flag during a protest held by the Muslim community in Bangalore on January 24.
Majunath Kiran/AFP/Getty
A heart made of paper boats with slogans on them rests near a protest in the Shaheen Bagh neighborhood in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 16.
A heart made of paper boats with slogans on them rests near a protest in the Shaheen Bagh neighborhood in New Delhi on Wednesday, January 16.
Harish Tyagi/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Protesters light candles near posters of Mahatma Gandhi and politician and social reformer Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar during a demonstration against India's new citizenship law at Mansoor Ali Park in Allahabad on Tuesday, January 14.
Protesters light candles near posters of Mahatma Gandhi and politician and social reformer Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar during a demonstration against India's new citizenship law at Mansoor Ali Park in Allahabad on Tuesday, January 14.
Sanjay Kanojia/AFP/Getty Images
Police personnel try to protect a man attending a protest against graffiti on the shutters and walls of Church Street condemning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's new citizenship law in Bangalore on Tuesday, January 14.
Police personnel try to protect a man attending a protest against graffiti on the shutters and walls of Church Street condemning Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and India's new citizenship law in Bangalore on Tuesday, January 14.
Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images
Activists of All Assam Students' Union and other indigenous organizations participate in a torch procession against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Guwahati, India, on Saturday, January 11.
Activists of All Assam Students' Union and other indigenous organizations participate in a torch procession against the Citizenship Amendment Act in Guwahati, India, on Saturday, January 11.
Anupam Nath/AP
Protestors shout slogans outside the Delhi Police Headquarters following clashes between student groups at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi on Sunday, January 5. <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/06/india/india-mob-attack-jnu-intl/index.html" target="_blank">The violence injured around 34 people, according to police.</a>
Protestors shout slogans outside the Delhi Police Headquarters following clashes between student groups at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi on Sunday, January 5. The violence injured around 34 people, according to police.
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Placards lie next to Indian Muslims offering prayers during a protest on Saturday, January 4.
Placards lie next to Indian Muslims offering prayers during a protest on Saturday, January 4.
Mahesh Kumar A/AP
Policewomen detain a student protesting outside Uttar Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday, December 27.
Policewomen detain a student protesting outside Uttar Pradesh Bhawan in New Delhi on Friday, December 27.
Manish Swarup/AP
Demonstrators gather at the Quddus Saheb Eidgah grounds to take part in a rally against India's new citizenship law in Bangalore on Monday, December 23.
Demonstrators gather at the Quddus Saheb Eidgah grounds to take part in a rally against India's new citizenship law in Bangalore on Monday, December 23.
Manjunath Kiran/AFP/Getty Images
Demonstrators sit next to bonfires during dusk as they block a road during a protest in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22.
Demonstrators sit next to bonfires during dusk as they block a road during a protest in New Delhi on Sunday, December 22.
Danish Siddiqui/Reuters
Protesters gather by the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi to demonstrate against India's new citizenship law on Friday, December 20.
Protesters gather by the Jama Masjid mosque in New Delhi to demonstrate against India's new citizenship law on Friday, December 20.
Money Sharma/AFP via Getty Images
Policemen with batons charge a protester in Ahmedabad on Thursday, December 19.
Policemen with batons charge a protester in Ahmedabad on Thursday, December 19.
Ajit Solanki/AP
Indians gather during a protest rally in Mumbai on December 19.
Indians gather during a protest rally in Mumbai on December 19.
Rajanish Kakade/AP
An officer flees a police station damaged by protesters during a demonstration in Lucknow on December 19.
An officer flees a police station damaged by protesters during a demonstration in Lucknow on December 19.
Stringer/AFP via Getty Images
Chief minister of West Bengal state and leader of the Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee, along with party supporters, walks in a mass rally across Howrah bridge in Kolkata on December 18.
Chief minister of West Bengal state and leader of the Trinamool Congress Mamata Banerjee, along with party supporters, walks in a mass rally across Howrah bridge in Kolkata on December 18.
Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images
Students from Jamia Millia Islamia, a university in New Delhi, shout slogans during a protest on Tuesday, December 17.
Students from Jamia Millia Islamia, a university in New Delhi, shout slogans during a protest on Tuesday, December 17.
Altaf Qadri/AP
People standing on roofs in New Delhi watch police gathered next to a demonstration on December 17.
People standing on roofs in New Delhi watch police gathered next to a demonstration on December 17.
Money Sharma/AFP/Getty Images
Students and activists protest outside the Allahabad University campus in Allahabad, India, on Monday, December 16.
Students and activists protest outside the Allahabad University campus in Allahabad, India, on Monday, December 16.
Sanjay Kanojia/AFP via Getty Images
People participate in a mass rally in Kolkata, India, on December 16.
People participate in a mass rally in Kolkata, India, on December 16.
Dibyangshu Sarkar/AFP via Getty Images
Demonstrators hold signs at the University of Mumbai.
Demonstrators hold signs at the University of Mumbai.
Punit Paranjpe/AFP via Getty Images
A bus is seen on fire following a demonstration in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15.
A bus is seen on fire following a demonstration in New Delhi on Sunday, December 15.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
A child prays during a condolence event in Guwahati, India, for demonstrators killed in anti-CAB protests.
A child prays during a condolence event in Guwahati, India, for demonstrators killed in anti-CAB protests.
Anupam Nath/AP
Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in Guwahati on Friday, December 13.
Demonstrators shout slogans during a protest in Guwahati on Friday, December 13.
Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives of Sam Stafford, 18, who was killed during clashes with police the previous day, react in Guwahati on December 13.
Relatives of Sam Stafford, 18, who was killed during clashes with police the previous day, react in Guwahati on December 13.
Biju Boro/AFP via Getty Images
Indian Muslims demonstrate against the bill in New Delhi on December 13.
Indian Muslims demonstrate against the bill in New Delhi on December 13.
Manish Swarup/AP
Police fire tear gas during a protest in Guwahati on Thursday, December 12.
Police fire tear gas during a protest in Guwahati on Thursday, December 12.
Biju Boro/AFP via Getty Images
Indian soldiers patrol near a burnt vehicle during a curfew in Guwahati on December 12.
Indian soldiers patrol near a burnt vehicle during a curfew in Guwahati on December 12.
Biju Boro/AFP via Getty Images
An Indian police officer aims his gun before firing toward protesters who threw stones in Guwahati on December 12.
An Indian police officer aims his gun before firing toward protesters who threw stones in Guwahati on December 12.
Anupam Nath/AP
Indian youth congress members hold torches as they demonstrate in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11.
Indian youth congress members hold torches as they demonstrate in New Delhi on Wednesday, December 11.
Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images
Security personnel use batons to disperse students protesting against CAB in Guwahati on December 11.
Security personnel use batons to disperse students protesting against CAB in Guwahati on December 11.
Biju Boro/AFP/Getty Images
Protesters on motorbikes hold placards during a protest against the bill in Guwahati on Tuesday, December 10.
Protesters on motorbikes hold placards during a protest against the bill in Guwahati on Tuesday, December 10.
Anupam Nath/AP
Demonstrators shout slogans during a shutdown called by the North East Students' Organization in Agartala, India, on December 10. It was hours after lawmakers approved the government's new citizenship bill.
Demonstrators shout slogans during a shutdown called by the North East Students' Organization in Agartala, India, on December 10. It was hours after lawmakers approved the government's new citizenship bill.
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