These protests quickly grew, attracting students from various universities and a diverse group of activists, writers, and poets, particularly around Gate No. 7 of the campus.

In the aftermath, the campus was left desolate, with signs of chaos evident in abandoned spaces like the reading hall and library, which were littered with scattered belongings.

Rahul Bhatia's book, 'The Identity Project: The Unmaking of a Democracy,' opens with a vivid portrayal of events on December 15, 2019, at Jamia Millia Islamia, through the eyes of a character named Ali.

The narrative is set against the backdrop of escalating protests against the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB), which led to the cancellation of the fifth-semester exam at the university on December 14.

Ali, the protagonist, becomes acutely aware that the NRC will instill fear and uncertainty among citizens regarding their legal status in India.

The narrative also highlights the plight of individuals like Nisar, who faced significant challenges in seeking justice after rioters destroyed his property, underscoring systemic issues within the justice system.

Bhatia further explores the 2020 Delhi riots that erupted following the anti-CAA protests, focusing on the personal experiences of those whose lives were irrevocably changed by the violence.

Shah's comments implied that the CAB would be followed by the National Register of Citizens (NRC), which could render many Indians stateless if they cannot provide adequate documentation.

The CAB allows non-Muslim refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh who arrived in India before 2015 to gain citizenship, raising significant concerns about the exclusion of Muslims.

Tensions peaked on December 15 when police clashed with protesters on campus, resulting in a chaotic and violent atmosphere that left the university environment severely impacted.

Bhatia references remarks made by Amit Shah in Parliament on December 10, where he characterized the CAB as a measure to aid persecuted minorities from neighboring countries.

The NRC, initially applied in Assam, demands residents to prove their citizenship through potentially difficult-to-obtain historical documents, creating widespread anxiety.