Thousands protested in rival demonstrations in
India Friday as tensions deepen over a citizenship law seen as anti-Muslim, with authorities deploying huge numbers of riot
police in the country.
Twenty-seven people have died in two weeks of at times violent demonstrations after Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government made it easier for non-Muslims from
Pakistan,
Afghanistan and Bangladesh to be naturalised.
Coupled with a mooted citizens register, it has stoked fears -- including in
Washington and the UN rights office -- about the marginalisation of Muslims who make up 14 percent of India's 1.3 billion people.