Indian court turns down petition to stop implementation of citizenship law

UN secretary general expresses concern over police brutalities against protesters, calls for restraint

NEW DELHI: India’s top court on Wednesday refused to stall the implementation of a new law that lays out a path for non-Muslim minorities from some neighboring countries for Indian citizenship, despite violent protests across the country.

The Supreme Court said it would hear petitions challenging the law on Jan 22. The petitioners argue that it violates India’s secular constitution.

Protests against the law erupted in the northeastern state of Assam last week. They have since turned violent and spread to universities across the country, where students and the public have come out to chant anti-government slogans and call the law anti-Muslim and anti-constitution.

UN expresses concern

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed concern over police brutalities against protesters in India and called for restraint, reported Radio Pakistan.

This was stated by UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, during a briefing at UN Headquarters in New York.