The worst violence against Indian Muslims in decades has rocked India's New Delhi, claiming the lives of at least 27 people in the last three days.

Deadly incidents erupted on Sunday after clashes broke out between those protesting for a controversial citizenship law passed last year and others rioting against it.

The legislation allows the issuing of citizenship based on religion and grants amnesty to "persecuted minorities" from Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and Pakistan with the exception of Muslims. People of the faith have been protesting the unjust law for weeks. Their riots have been met with violence that has escalated further due to incitement from a few Hindu politicians.

Early on Sunday, Kapil Mishra, a leader from the governing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), issued a statement against protesters opposing the law. According to the BBC, the man also led a rally in Jaffrabad and tweeted out asking people to gather in the area. In his post, Mishra gave Delhi Police three days to clear all protests and "warned of consequences if they failed to do so." The violence erupted shortly after his statements started circulating online.