This purpose of the act is evident from BJP politicians’ rhetoric. With the Citizenship Amendment Act in place, Muslims would primarily bear the punitive consequences of exclusion from the National Register of Citizens, which could result in serious amounts of statelessness, deportation, or prolonged detention

Many Indians lack the documents needed to prove citizenship, and Muslims are in the firing line. “My mother gave birth to me at home. My birth was never registered, so how do I produce a certificate?” Bano said. “Nor do I have land ownership or tenancy records dating back five decades. Although we’re law-abiding citizens, having lived peacefully in India all our lives, we might be thrown out of the country.”

The citizenship law amendments allow Hindus and other non-Muslims who were unable to prove their citizenship status in the state of Assam – and thus were left out of the National Register of Citizens – to maintain their Indian citizenship. It will also apply to other religious minorities who might be left out in the proposed nationwide National Register of Citizens. It will not, however, protect Muslims left off the registry.

Twenty five people lost their lives in the ongoing protests against the CAA. Most of the deaths have been reported in Uttar Pradesh (UP) after police allegedly fired on protestors. Though protests have been organised in almost all states across the country, deaths have been reported in only BJP-ruled states. Activists allege that huge gatherings in other states have been peaceful and without any incidents of violence, accusing the BJP of disproportionate police action on protestors.