Protesters chant “Remove Modi” after prayers at historic Jama Masjid mosque in Delhi

Demonstrators attend a protest against a new citizenship law, after Friday prayers at Jama Masjid in the old quarters of Delhi, India - Reuters

NEW DELHI (Reuters): Chants of “Remove Modi” filled the air after Friday prayers at the historic Jama Masjid as protesters gathered to march toward New Delhi’s centre, one of many demonstrations across India over a citizenship law critics say discriminates against Muslims.

While the latest rally in the capital started peacefully, police herded away some 100 protesters picketing parliament. Many other protests during the past week have turned violent, with at least seven people killed. Police in Mangaluru imposed a three-day curfew on Friday after the latest two fatalities.

In Uttar Pradesh, authorities said they shut down the internet in large parts of the state to prevent inflammatory material being circulated. News channel NDTV broadcast images from the state of a torched police van, and officers chasing protesters throwing stones and wielding sticks.

The backlash against the law pushed through parliament by India’s Hindu nationalist government on 11 December marks the strongest show of dissent since Prime Minister Narendra Modi was first elected in 2014.

The new law makes it easier for people from non-Muslim minorities in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan who settled in India prior to 2015 to obtain Indian citizenship.

Critics say the exclusion of Muslims is discriminatory, and the award of citizenship based on religion undermines India’s secular constitution.