India Tomorrow
NEW DELHI, MARCH 16 – Protesters at Shaheen Bagh have summarily rejected the Delhi government’s order to limit gatherings to 50 people or less, potentially setting up a confrontation with authorities likely to invoke provisions of the Epidemic Act to try and clear the sit-in. “Inko sirf behkana hai… kabhi nahi uthenge (They just want to mislead… We’ll never leave),” nonagenarian Asma Khatunxwho is part of the triumvirate of “Dadis of Shaheen Bagh,” told The Telegraph. Bilkis (82), and Sarvari (75) are with her on this, saying the only thing that would make them leave would be the government repealing the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
“Humare bacchon ko marwa diya, maaon ko jalwa diya (They got our children killed and got their mothers burnt),” said Sarvari, asking where chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was when “we Muslims” were being killed in Delhi.
“Sau bandook chala lo tab bhi nahi marenge jab tak khuda nahi chahega (We won’t die even if you fire 100 guns),” added Khatun.”
Sit-in protests against the controversial act, deemed to be discriminatory while granting citizenship to persecuted religious minorities of select neighbouring countries, have been continuing at Shaheen Bagh and Jamia Millia for over three months now.
The Shaheen Bagh gathering has inspired several groups to undertake similar protests in Delhi and other parts of the country.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that any gathering – religious, family, social, political or cultural – of over 50 people will not be allowed in the national capital to prevent the spread of coronavirus, which has claimed one life in the national capital so far.
The ban on gatherings, the Aam Aadmi Party chief indicated, will also cover the Shaheen Bagh protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register.
While addressing reporters after reviewing the Delhi government’s efforts to tackle the spread of the disease with DMs, SDMs, municipal commissioners and Cabinet ministers, Kejriwal ordered the shutting of gyms, night clubs and spas in the city till March 31.
