India has raised concerns with Indonesian authorities over the attacks and protests that have been witnessed outside the Indian embassy in Jakarta and the Indian consulate in Medan over the past two weeks.

Various Islamic organisations organised protests outside the Indian missions in Jakarta on March 2, 6 and 13 and Medan on March 2 which led to vandalism and bottles were hurled into the premises, putting the mission staff at risk. India took up the matter with Indonesian authorities and also raised concerns regarding the security of the premises with the Indonesian envoy in New Delhi.

The Indonesian envoy assured the security of the missions and officials to the MEA. The government of Indonesia has taken measures under the Vienna Convention to protect the premises from damage or impairment of dignity of the embassy of India or its consulate. In an unprecedented move, around 1,100 police personnel were deployed in Jakarta on Friday and traffic was also diverted. No traffic has been allowed in front of the embassy.

The protests began in the wake of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act which was passed in the Indian parliament on December 12, 2019.

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) and representatives of Islamic mass organizations urged the Indian government to uphold justice and repeal discriminatory citizenship laws against Indian Muslims (CAA).

During a meeting between the Indonesian foreign ministry and Indian Ambassador to Jakarta Pradeep Kumar Rawat, concerns regarding the citizenship legislation raised by civil society groups came up. India, on its part, raised concerns regarding the protests that have been "allowed" to carry on outside the Indian missions.

Interestingly, the protesters hold up ISIS flags along with anti-India banners. Of the Islamic organisations that hold these protests, two of them, 212 Alumni and FPI, are deemed illegal even by the Indonesian authorities.

Sources in the Indonesian government said, "Civil society organisations and many other organisations had a message and those messages were conveyed (to the Indian government). People have concerns, but the Indonesian government is confident we are both pluralistic, democratic countries."

There has been an increasing need for outreach with the Islamic organisations and civil society groups to sensitise them of government of India's decisions. Sources have told India Today that officials in Jakarta remain engaged with organisations like the Nahdlatul Ulama and Mohammadiah.

There were concerns that were raised from various quarters after Delhi witnessed the worst riots last month. India has remained engaged on the efforts taken by New Delhi with regard to quelling the unrest.

Indonesia's Vice President Ma'ruf Amin, who was also the head of the Ulema Council before assuming this position, had asked India to prioritizes religious tolerance.

The Deputy Chairman of the MUI, Muhyiddin Junaidi, also raised the issue of the situation in Kashmir, urging the United Nations to send a fact-finding team to India to implement strict measures in accordance with international law and conventions. "The MUI urges the Indian Government to respect the Eleven UN Security Council Resolutions on the fate of Jammu Kashmir residents to determine their fate through the plebiscite and stop the blockade of Jammu Kashmir," he said.

The Indian envoy to Indonesia is likely to call on the new vice president this week. While it is a courtesy call, expect Vice President Ma'ruf Amin to discuss the issues of concern raised by the Islamic organisations of the country while India could raise concerns regarding the continued protests and also explain that the legislations and decisions while internal to India are in no way directed against any one community.