In December, 2019, Indian parliament passed a controversial new law: the Citizenship Amendment Act or CAA. The law fast-tracks citizenship for migrants from three neighboring countries, specifically if they are non-Muslims. Since the law was passed, it drew widespread opposition and protests, not only because it discriminates against Muslims but violates the very foundation of the Indian constitution.
Soon after, Delhi witnessed violence in its northeast area, which led to the deaths of 53 people and left hundreds injured, the clash between pro and anti-CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) protests turned into one of the deadliest communal violence witnessed by the national capital in decades, coinciding with the American President Donald Trump's visit in february.
The violence was unambiguously communal: mobs of each community targeted the other with sticks, bullets and petrol bombs. Muslims came under greater fire.
The violence, arson and looting affected entire neighbourhoods, ruining livelihoods, leaving some on the streets and others dead or injured. Both Hindus and Muslims committed acts of violence and also were at the receiving end, though reports suggest that the latter were disproportionately targeted.
Mayank Makhija is a freelance photojournalist based in New Delhi, India representing NurPhoto Agency (Italy). Recently, he completed 'New Waves of Documentary: Practice as Research' mentorship program- a collaboration of Pathshala & VII Academy. His editorial work has been published in NYTimes, TIME, The Guardian, BBC News, Le Monde, NPR, CNN, Deutsche Welle, Getty Images and Caravan Magazine among others. He also contributes to various agencies including AP, AFP, Zuma besides NurPhotos.
Makhija's work has also been exhibited at Expanded/Pathshala South Asian Media Institute, Dhaka (2022); Copeland Gallery/Peckham 24, London (2021); Iran Artist Forum/24HourProject, Tehran (2019); MF Husain Art Gallery/JMI, New Delhi (2019) and SACAC, New Delhi (2018).
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