Shaheen Bagh protesters plan march towards Shah's residence for discussions
A couple of protesters of Shaheen Bagh, the epicenter of anti-Citizenship Amendment Act agitation in Delhi, are planning to march towards Union Home Minister Amit Shah's residence at 2 pm today to discuss the contentious law. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), however, clarified that no meeting with Shah has been scheduled. This week, the BJP leader said he was "open for discussions".
A bit about CAA and the Shaheen Bagh protest
CAA prefers persecuted non-Muslims from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan while granting Indian citizenship. This law, passed in Parliament last year, sparked countrywide protests. While Northeastern states feared for their rights, Muslims called the law partial towards them. Since mid-December, women, and children have been sitting on the streets in the pocket of South Delhi demanding a rollback. BJP has clarified it won't budge.
Shah, who saw CAA's passage, said he's ready for discussions
Shah became CAA's face, he steered Bill's passage in the Parliament and defended it on all platforms. This week, while speaking at Times Now Summit, Shah said he was open for discussions and that his office will arrange an appointment within three days after the request has been made. After his statement, a section of protesters of Shaheen Bagh said they will meet him.
"Will ask Shah to assure NRC, CAA will be scrapped"
"Amit Shah has himself invited everyone on television to meet him, so we are going to meet him tomorrow," one of the protesters said. And a 76-year-old protester told NDTV, "We will march to Amit Shah's house along with everyone here. We will speak in front of everyone. We will ask him to give in writing that NRC and CAA will be taken back."
Anyone who has problem with CAA will be going: Protester
"Shah invited the entire country to him to discuss issues related to CAA. So, we will be going to meet him tomorrow at 2 pm. We don't have any delegation, anyone who has an issue with the CAA will be going," another one said yesterday.
No meeting is scheduled: MHA spoiled protesters' plans
While the protesters have revealed their plans, MHA clarified it has not received any request. "No such meeting is scheduled with the Union Home Minister Amit Shah," MHA said yesterday. Earlier, Shah's cabinet colleague Ravi Shankar Prasad had said the government is ready to talk with protesters, but the discussions should be in a structured form. Later, he lamented no one approached them.
