Jakob Lindenthal, the German IIT-Madras student who was asked to leave India after he protested against the CAA and the NRC, says he's back in Europe. "This morning I landed in Amsterdam safely and will return to my family in Nuremberg soon," Lindenthal said in a Facebook post.
"These events are not so much about me but show that political freedom and the rule of law need the support of millions of open eyes and loud voices. My deep respect goes to all of you who carry the protests against CAA and NRC across India and across the world!" he wrote.
"I also want to bow down in front of those who can not show their concern about ongoing political developments openly because their existence would be threatened, but who still find their ways to support those who are showing their faces."
The protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act have grown into a countrywide movement in the weeks since the legislation was passed by Parliament. The law fast-tracks naturalisation for Pakistani, Afghan and Bangladeshi illegal immigrants (currently living in India) from six non-Muslim minority religious groups who fled persecution in their home countries. Critics say the policy is anti-Muslim, but the government denies that.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi says there's been no discussion on pan-India NRC -- a citizenship verification drive that is also being opposed by protesters -- thought Home Minister Amit Shah had said earlier that the register would be implemented nationwide.