Coronavirus lockdown: After 100+ days, Shaheen Bagh protest site cleared
With Delhi tightening its curbs to restrict public movement and seriously discouraging gatherings, the Shaheen Bagh protest site was cleared this morning by the police, nearly 101 days after women started a sit-in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). Officials said the protesters were asked to vacate the site, but after they relented, cops were forced to take strict action.
The agitation began last year, protesters braved Delhi's chill too
Since mid-December, women have been sitting on streets, in the pocket in South Delhi, to raise their voice against CAA, which makes religion a criterion to grant citizenship to outsiders. They claim by excluding Muslims from the law's ambit, the government has displayed its bigoted nature. Demanding a rollback, the women raised slogans against the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The protest blocked traffic, mediators were sent to site
Due to the protest, a key road, connecting Noida to Delhi, was blocked, prompting petitioners to approach the Supreme Court. Noting that the protesters should sit at a designated spot, where the normal public isn't troubled, the apex court appointed mediators to talk to them. Despite multiple visits by the mediators, the women didn't budge and remained stationed there.
Kejriwal gave order against gatherings, including Shaheen Bagh
When coronavirus cases surged in Delhi, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced initially that a gathering of 50 people would be prohibited, and said it applies to Shaheen Bagh as well. The number of people allowed to gather was later brought down to 20. Nevertheless, women continued protesting, saying they were taking all the precautions. Elderly and children weren't allowed anymore, they said.
On Janata curfew day, the women held symbolic protest
On Sunday, when the entire nation observed voluntary curfew, called Janata curfew, women of Shaheen Bagh held a symbolic protest. They kept their slippers and shoes on cots, which were laid to ensure there's a distance between the protesters. "We aren't ending the protest, come what may. But we are mindful of the danger of the coronavirus," one of the organizers told The Print.
Cops requested protesters to vacate site, then used force
However, understanding that the protesters face a serious health risk, Delhi Police took the tough route today. Cops reached the site at 7 am and asked them to vacate the site, which had been witnessing protest round the clock. "When they refused to clear up, they were removed forcefully at around 7:30 am," an official said, adding that civic bodies will clear the area.
