A volunteer coordinating the frisking exercise used the proverb, “Prevention is better than cure”, to explain why security measures were taken by the coordinators, of late. “The police are not protecting us. That’s why we have to take extra care,” he said.
Zafar Aafaq and Mohd Aasif | Clarion India
NEW DELHI— “Due to security reasons, we request you to keep moving and don’t gather around here,” a volunteer announces over the microphone connected to a movable speaker at a curve near the entry point to the Shaheen Bagh sit-in. He’s part of a corridor built by a human chain to facilitate a hassle-free entry for visitors to the tent. “Be alert and keep an eye on everyone,” the volunteer pronounces.
People arriving at the protest site are frisked before entry. For the media, talking to protesters for quotes has become difficult. “I can’t talk because the stage managers have asked us to avoid speaking to the media,” said a volunteer selling flags and arm-bands carrying anti-CAA slogans. Photographers have to first identify themselves to the volunteers before opening their shutters. Those without identity cards are subjected to extra scrutiny.
“If a volunteer knows you, then it’s easy to cover the sit-in,” says Nasir Ahmad, a photojournalist who works with an international wire agency.
The extra vigil at the women-led Shaheen Bagh sit-in South Delhi came after the gunfire incident on Saturday afternoon when a Hindutva supporter fired shots in the air in a brazen manner. Though no one was hurt, the incident sent shockwaves across at the sit-in.
“The firing incident triggered fear among some women protesters but the speaker on the stage advised them to remain calm and things swiftly returned to normal,” said 40-year-old Naziya, one of the women coordinators managing the sit-in.
There was also a call from the extremist Hindu Mahasabha to its activists, that they march to Shaheen Bagh and clear the road from the protesters. There, thus, was extra caution and a major shift in the way the sit-in carried on. By contrast, for over seven weeks, everything at the sit-in site was informal. Anybody could walk in, join the protest or express their solidarity.
NO POLL TALK, PLEASE
Till a day ago, whoever wanted to address the protesters had to just get his or her name listed and could express their views on stage. Now, there is a rule book which clearly states: “No one is allowed to speak except on the issues related to CAA, NRC, NPR, unemployment, poverty, price rise and the rise in crime against women. In other words, this is not a stage for anyone to come in and indulge in an election campaign. This is prohibited.”
The aspiring speakers have to also sign a form declaring that they are responsible for the comments they make at the site.
Shoaib Jamei who is a regular panelist on the right-wing TV channels was pushed back by volunteers after he made an attempt to hold forth from the stage. Jamie was part of the TV discussion the other day in which Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad announced that “the government is ready to hold negotiations with the Shaheen Bagh protesters.”
The announcement was received with mixed response from the people, with many saying that the protests will end only after the Modi government repealed the Citizenship Amendment Act.
A proactive volunteer coordinating the frisking exercise used the proverb, “Prevention is better than cure”, to explain why security measures were taken by the coordinators, of late. “The police are not protecting us. That’s why we have to take extra care,” he said.
Naziya, the woman coordinator, said the police would have to answer if goons managed to reach the sit-in. “The police have taken an oath to protect the people without bias and they should do this.” She said the protesters at Shaheen Bagh too have an added responsibility, as they have inspired many other sit-ins against the CAA across the country. “We feel proud that we have built such a big movement and we have to protect it from being sabotaged by the Hindutva forces,” she said.
“WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING”
The protesters say that they are not going to budge in the face of intimidation like the firing on Saturday. “We will fight with more of determination,” said Prakash Devi, another key co-coordinator. “You see, the crowd is becoming bigger and bigger.”
The central spot of the sit-in was sparsely populated in the morning as most of the regular protesters had gone to their homes, as usual, for a quick siesta. The spot was ringed by an increased number of volunteers carrying flags and shouting patriotic and anti-CAA slogans.
ALAS, WE WERE AWAY!
Jabar Jung Singh, a Sikh volunteer who donned a blue robe and turban, as also carrying a stick and a Kirpaan, was regretful he was absent at the time of the shooting. “We had promised our Muslim sisters and brothers that if ever a bullet was fired at them, it would have to first pass through our chests. I am sorry we were not here yesterday.” He said that their demand to the government is that the names of religions and countries should be dropped from the law. “Instead, India should welcome all refugees who are being persecuted anywhere in the world,” demanded Singh.
A group of teachers from Jamia Millia Islamia was also present there to show their solidarity with Shaheen Bagh. They said that they cannot afford to sit in cozy offices and pretend that everything is normal. One among them was Prof Sonia Gupta, from the department of Latin American Studies, who said the shooting was an act of terrorism. “Use of violence against peaceful protesters is absolute terrorism.” She had an advice for ministers that they be responsible in their speeches. Many are of the view that the Jamia and Shaheen Bagh incidents were instigated by inflammatory speeches of the BJP leaders during election campaign.
MOTHERS OF THE PLAZA de MAYO
“These protesters here have broken all the stereotypes associated with Muslim women,” Prof Gupta said, as she spoke in awe of the Shaheen Bagh women and related the sit-in with the ‘Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo’ in Latin America wherein mothers sat at the square near the government building and demanded that the whereabouts be made public of their loved ones who were subjected to forced disappearance by the dictatorial regime there. “This is a historic movement in the destiny of the nation,” she added.