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India Opposition Demands Minister's Resignation Over Student Crackdown

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India's Congress Party is calling for the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah, a powerful ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The demand stems from a police crackdown on student protesters in New Delhi last week. The students were demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act, a law that critics argue discriminates against Muslims and could undermine India's secular fabric. The crackdown, which involved police entering university campuses and using force against students, has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups and opposition parties.

Congress leaders have accused Shah of "authoritarianism" and "brutality" for allegedly ordering the police action. They argue that the government is attempting to silence dissent through force rather than engaging in dialogue. The protests, which began in mid-December, have spread to several universities across the country, highlighting deep divisions over the new citizenship law. The government maintains that the law is necessary for humanitarian reasons and does not violate any constitutional provisions.

The situation remains tense, with further protests planned. The opposition's demand for Shah's resignation escalates the political confrontation between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its rivals. The crackdown has also drawn international attention, with human rights organizations urging restraint and respect for freedom of assembly. The Indian government has defended the actions of the police as necessary to maintain law and order.