Indonesia's largest Islamic organizations have expressed concern about the rising sectarian violence pitting Hindus against Muslims in New Delhi, India, and are calling on the government to take diplomatic actions to help bring peace to the country.

Sporadic violence hit parts of Delhi overnight as gangs roamed streets littered with the debris of days of sectarian riots that left 33 people dead, police said as quoted by AFP on Thursday.

The news agency reported that thousands of riot police and paramilitaries patrolled the affected northeast fringes of the Indian capital of 20 million people, preventing any major eruptions.

The unrest is the latest bout of violence over Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's controversial citizenship law, which triggered months of demonstrations that turned deadly in December.

Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) secretary-general Helmy Faishal Zaini said his organization “condemned any kind of violence, including actions to attack different groups”, calling on all parties to regard peace, freedom and tolerance as the main principles of life.

“We urged the Indonesian government to take diplomatic measures and be involved in any efforts to bring peace to India. These efforts are important as part of [Indonesia’s] responsibility to the international community — creating peace and security,” the NU leader said in a statement on Thursday.

Muhammadiyah, meanwhile, has raised concerns about the discrimination faced by the Indian Muslim community, citing Modi's citizenship law, which says that Muslim immigrants from Bangladesh, Pakistan and Afghanistan are not eligible for citizenship.

The law has been described as "anti-Muslim" and an attempt by Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party to turn India into a Hindu country.

“Muhammadiyah urges the Indian government to stop any kind of discrimination and violence against its citizens, especially the Muslims,” the organization's secretary-general, Abdul Mu’thi, said.

As a nonpermanent member of the United Nations Security Council, Indonesia, Abdul argued, should take the issue to the international body and encourage other nations to make a stand.

“What is happening there could threaten peace in South Asia and the world,” he said.

The latest rioting in India has caught the attention of Indonesian Muslims. Several pictures showing the beating of a Muslim man by Hindu nationalists and the vandalizing of a mosque have been circulating on social media, making the #ShameOnYouIndia hashtag trend in this country.

The Indonesian government and other major Muslim-majority countries have yet to release statements on the issue.

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation, however, has condemned the violence against Muslims in India that has resulted in the deaths and injuries of innocent people and the burning and vandalism of mosques and Muslim-owned properties.

“It expresses its sincere condolences to the families of the victims of these heinous acts,” the organization tweeted through its official Twitter account on Thursday, urging Indian authorities to prosecute the instigators and perpetrators of the acts of violence to ensure justice and safety for Muslims, as well as to protect Islamic holy places across the country.

The recent violence erupted late Sunday, AFP reported. Groups armed with swords and guns set fire to thousands of properties and vehicles. Homes, shops, two mosques, two schools, a tire market and a fuel station were torched. More than 200 people were also injured.

Modi called for calm on Wednesday, tweeting: "I appeal to my sisters and brothers of Delhi to maintain peace and brotherhood at all times. It is important [...] calm and normalcy be restored at the earliest."

International relations expert Agung Nurwijoyo of the University of Indonesia suggested Jakarta communicate with New Delhi "without intervening too far".

“We need to pay attention to the consequences of our position,” Agung said, adding that it could jeopardize ASEAN's efforts to include India in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Cooperation.

He argued it was crucial that an immediate conflict resolution be reached in India, given the fact that ethnic and religious sentiments have long been the roots of violence in the region.

“If [it] is not resolved, I am concerned the conflicts will expand [to surrounding countries], so constructive measures need to be taken,” Agung said.

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