Mohd Aasif | Caravan Daily
NEW DELHI – “Democracy means the will of the people, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going against the will of the people,” said young Bhim Army leader Chandrashekhar Azad at the Shaheen Bagh sit-in protest on the day the Supreme Court refused to order a stay on the CAA. The sit-in protests have completed 38 days on Thursday.
Chandrashekhar Azad was arrested from Jama Masjid a month ago on the pretext of making a “hate speech”. Delhi Police had also put a ban on his entry to the capital, which was lifted a day ago.
The protesters at Shaheen Bagh were eagerly awaiting his arrival. He received a full-throat-ed welcome. Crowds started shouting in unison, “Dekho-Dekho Kaun Aaya, Sher Aaya Sher aaya” (Look who came, the lion). People have admired his courage on the day of his arrest. Hundreds of hands were waving at him. Many were holding his portraits.
The dais was overcrowded as everyone wanted to have a picture taken with the leader. A copy of the Constitution of India and a smile on his face gave the impression as to where his heart was. A woman there was heard saying Chandrashekhar was the first leader who “raised his pen” to the crowd. “This is mightier than a sword,” said Azad, holding a pen.
The media and the government were constantly bragging about the road-blockades due to the protests, and the losses thereof. The young leader recalled the pain and sufferings caused by demonetization. Supporting the road blockade, he said, “It’s meaningless to talk about traffic jams caused by this movement because roads in Delhi are always jammed with traffic.”
He pleaded with the protesters to continue their movement, but ensure it was done in a peaceful manner. He will continue to extend his support to anti-CAA protest movement. The activists from his organisation has been showing their solidarity with the movement in different parts of the state. Hoping for the best in favour of the movement, he said, “Truth always triumphs.”
