Tens of thousands of people protested across India on Friday against a citizenship law passed by the Hindu nationalist government that critics say discriminates against Muslims.

Some 30,000 marched in the southern city of Bangalore, more than 20,000 in Siliguri and thousands in Chennai, while big rallies were also held in New Delhi, Guwahati and other cities.

Protests have rocked India since legislation was passed in December that eases the way for religious minorities from neighbouring nations to gain Indian citizenship, but not if they are Muslim
Protests have rocked India since legislation was passed in December that eases the way for religious minorities from neighbouring nations to gain Indian citizenship, but not if they are Muslim AFP / Indranil MUKHERJEE

Demonstrators shouted slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Protests have rocked India since legislation was passed in December that eases the way for religious minorities from three Muslim-majority neighbouring nations to gain Indian citizenship, but not if they are Muslim.

Big rallies against a new citizenship law have been held in New Delhi and other cities across India
Big rallies against a new citizenship law have been held in New Delhi and other cities across India AFP / Jewel SAMAD

Critics say the law is a precursor to a national register of citizens that many among India's 200 million Muslims fear will leave them stateless. Many poor Indians do not have documents to prove their nationality.

At least 27 people have died in the protests in recent weeks and hundreds more have been injured in clashes with police, fuelling public anger.

At least 27 people have died in the protests against India's new citizenship law in recent weeks and hundreds more have been injured in clashes with police
At least 27 people have died in the protests against India's new citizenship law in recent weeks and hundreds more have been injured in clashes with police AFP / Indranil MUKHERJEE

Nineteen of the deaths have been reported in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, where police have been accused of using disproportionate force against protesters.

Many prominent activists, including a television actress, have been detained.

Tens of thousands of people protested across India on Friday against a citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims
Tens of thousands of people protested across India on Friday against a citizenship law that critics say discriminates against Muslims AFP / Jewel SAMAD

At the Bangalore protest, businessman Nazir Ahmed said that "Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs are gathering everywhere to protest and we shall continue to protest until this law is cancelled."

In New Delhi, protesters vowed to continue their "resistance just like Hong Kong", where a pro-democracy campaign has raged for nearly seven months.

"Police are trying to curb the protests in the most brutal way possible in a democracy but we won't back down," said Shristi, a 19-year-old student who gave only one name.

"In our own ways we will try to keep this movement alive till this law is revoked," she told AFP.

Nabiya, a 24-year-old student, said protesters were inspired by other movements such as in Hong Kong and Chile.

"We are not asking for a favour. The government has to revoke the law. It's our right that we are asserting," she told AFP as she prepared to recite a "protest poem" in Urdu.

Home Minister Amit Shah insisted Friday that the law was not discriminatory, as he launched a campaign to dispel "misinformation" that he said was being spread by opposition parties.

Workers from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party would go door-to-door to explain the new law, Shah said.

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