The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi publicly defended the controversial Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) during a rally on Sunday in Delhi for the start of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) campaign. The BJP proposed the CAA and has pushed for a National Register of Citizens (NRC). The CAA, which was passed earlier this month, helps persecuted religious minorities gain access to Indian citizenship but specifically excludes Muslim immigrants. The NRC would seek to identify immigrants that are in the country without documentation if implemented.

Modi’s remarks were made amid continued protests, a rising death toll and internet service blackouts in the country. Modi said that the bill was “passed … to help the persecuted” and that the country needs to “respect India’s MPs and its parliament.” He also blamed the opposition for “spreading lies and rumors” and inciting the violent protests, which have caused the deaths of at least twenty people.

Modi attempted to reassure his audience by saying, “Muslims who were born on Indian soil should not be concerned by the CAA or NRC.” He made a final comment to those who oppose the CAA: “I challenge those spreading lies to go review the work I am doing and if there is even a whiff of communalism, please tell the nation.”