NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi demanded the resignation of Home Minister Amit Shah in the wake of the violence in north east Delhi which claimed the lives of twenty people.

Buildings and cars were torched as demonstrators backing and opposing the amended citizenship law clashed even as the city played host to US President Donald Trump, who was in India for his first state visit since assuming office.

Sonia Gandhi blamed BJP leaders for creating a volatile atmosphere with hate speeches, and held both the central and Delhi governments responsible for the situation in the capital territory.

Adequate forces must be deployed to bring the situation under control, and peace committees must be formed in mohallas, she said at a news conference on Wednesday.

She accused Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and his government of failing to maintain peace, and urged him to be visible in affected areas and be in constant touch with the public.

Sonia Gandhi also asked citizens to reject the politics of hate and do their best to heal rifts.

"What was the Home Minister doing since last week? What was the Home Minister doing earlier this week? Why were the paramilitary forces not called in earlier when the Home Ministry saw the situation worsening," Gandhi said at a press conference.