Indian SC refuses to stay implementation of controversial citizenship law

• The bench says it will hear petitions on January 22.
• It issued a notice to the central government about all 59 petitions challenging the act.

The Supreme Court of India refused on Wednesday to hear pleas challenging the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) which has led to the death of several people protesting the controversial law across the country.

An SC bench of Chief Justice SA Bobde, Justice BR Gavai and Justice Surya Kant took up the hearing today and refused to stay the implementation of CAA, Indian media reported. The bench issued a notice to the central government about all 59 petitions challenging the act. The top court said it will hear the pleas on January 22.

Last week, the Indian government introduced a controversial bill in parliament that would give citizenship to non-Muslim minorities from three neighbouring countries Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan. This mean the law will create a legal pathway to grant Indian nationality on the basis of religion.

Following the passing of the bill, widespread protests erupted in the country which turned violent after thousands of students protested the new act. More than 100 students many of whom were shot were injured when police resorted to baton charge and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters.