| Summary/Abstract |
Citizenship in India has been the subject of “contentious politics” for decades (Aminzade et al. Reference Aminzade, Goldstone, McAdam, Perry, Tarrow, Sewell and Tilley2001). Incorporating citizenship within the framework of Indian federalism and the role of federalism in responding to varied citizenship claims is not without challenges. Indian states, which constitute India’s federal framework, are central to the complex negotiations that have shaped ideas of citizenship in the country. It is not surprising, therefore, that the amendments to India’s citizenship laws have been fiercely contested not only by protestors on Indian streets but also within legislative assemblies in several state governments, which are the basic units of governance in India’s federal democracy.
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