NDTV, New Delhi :
US President Donald Trump, asked today about the violence in parts of Delhi over citizenship law protests and religious freedom, said he discussed it with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and “he wants people to have religious freedom”.
On the violence in Delhi, President Trump said it was “up to India”.
“We did talk about religious freedom. The PM said he wants people to have religious freedom. They have worked really hard on it. I heard about the individual attacks but I did not discuss it. It is up to India,” Mr Trump said.
Asked about his position on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the US President said, “I don’t want to discuss that, I want to leave that to India. I hope they will do the right thing for the people of India.”
Clashes over the contentious citizenship law scorched Delhi for a second day today – coinciding with Mr Trump’s first official visit to India-as the number of deaths rose to at least 10.
There have been widespread protests since the law that critics say is anti-Muslim was passed in mid-December, with more than 25 people killed before the clashes in Delhi.
There were still reports of violence in several parts of the capital’s north-east district with large plumes of black smoke rising in the sky.
“The protesters are attacking police wherever they are present and clashing among each other where the police aren’t there,” senior policeman Alok Kumar said.
Three NDTV reporters and a cameraperson were attacked by a mob.
“There is hardly any police presence in the area. Rioters are running around threatening people, vandalising shops,” a resident of the poor, migrant neighbourhood of Maujpur told news agency PTI.
