Citizenship Amendment Act Protest: US Urges India To 'Protect, Respect' Right Of Peaceful Assembly

Amid protests continuing over the Citizenship Amendment Act, United States on Monday urged India to protect and respect the right of peaceful assembly of the people and appealed protesters to refrain from violence. US State Department spokesperson said Washington is closely following the developments regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act in India.

“Respect for religious freedom and equal treatment under the law are fundamental principles of our two democracies. United States urges India to protect rights of its religious minorities in keeping with India’s Constitution and democratic values”, US State Department spokesperson told news agency ANI.

US State Dept Spokesperson to ANI: Respect for religious freedom&equal treatment under the law are fundamental principles of our two democracies. United States urges India to protect rights of its religious minorities in keeping with India’s Constitution&democratic values. 2/2 https://t.co/xN9ly4KgMz

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2019

In the wake of new citizenship act, protests erupted in Northeast region followed by students’ agitation against crackdown across universities in India.

In view of violent protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act, Ministry of Home Affairs has already issued an advisory to states and Union Territories asking them to take requisite precautionary measures to maintain law and order, sources said.