Plans to change India’s citizenship regime have sparked fears of cultural erosion in the northeastern states, prompting protests, including hunger strikes, petitions and effigy-burning.
Citizens in the region fear amendments to the Citizenship Act of 1955 would make it easier for minority immigrants from neighbouring countries - Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan – to make a permanent move over the border.
The changes were first tabled in the lower house of the Indian parliament in 2016 after being put forward by the ruling Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP), led by prime minister Narendra Modi.
It would allow select “persecuted minorities” such as Hindus, Christians and Sikhs the right to citizenship status after six years of residence. Other groups must wait 11 years.
Protests in the northeastern states have been growing stronger and becoming more widespread since May.
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The biggest backlash has been seen in the state of Assam, which claims the proposals would lead to “unchecked infiltration” from neighbouring Bangladesh.
The concern is that any changes will impact on the demographics of the northeastern region.
The Citizenship Act has formed the basis of India’s citizenship regime since it gained independence from the British empire in 1947.
Critics argue the new regime would shift the basis of citizenship from “birth within a territory” to “by right of blood”, and "fundamentally alter the country".
The protests have prompted India’s government to announce it will "table discussion" to address citizens' concerns.
