The women of Shaheen Bagh have begun their march towards Amit Shah’s residence in Delhi on Sunday despite receiving no permission from the Delhi Police. In light of the march, the Home Minister’s residence has been barricaded from all sides. The protesters against the Citizenship Amendment Act had applied for permission on Saturday afternoon which was rejected. Security has been heightened in view of the march.
HAPPENING NOW- #ShaheenBagh protesters are lining up to march together to meet Home Minister Amit Shah.
On the other side- security tightened up. pic.twitter.com/Z4HrZWvksI
— Zeba Warsi (@Zebaism) February 16, 2020
Deputy Commissioner of Police of South East Delhi, R.P. Meena, said, “They told us that they wanted to take out a march but we told them they cannot as they do not have appointment call from Union Home Minister. We are talking to them and we hope that they will understand.”
RP Meena, DCP South East: They(Shaheen Bagh protesters) told us that they wanted to take out a march (to meet HM) but we told them they cannot as they do not have appointment call from Union Home Minister. We are talking to them and we hope that they will understand. pic.twitter.com/Ajq34ftYDG
— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2020
On Thursday, the Home Minister had said at the Times Now Summit that he was willing to meet those protesting against the CAA and the NRC. He had said that they only need to book an appointment with his office and that he will meet them within three days. However, the protesters of Shaheen Bagh insist that instead of a delegation, everyone will go to meet Amit Shah. Some have even insisted that either the Prime Minister or the Home Minister visit Shaheen Bagh personally to meet the protesters.
“Amit Shah had said if anyone has any problem with the CAA, then he/she can meet him and discuss the problem. Shaheen Bagh has a problem with CAA and that’s why tomorrow everyone in Shaheen Bagh will march to Amit Shah’s residence,” one protester said. The protesters insist that they will not be sending a delegation to meet Amit Shah but rather “every person will be part of the delegation”.
Shaheen Bagh is the same place where slogans of ‘Jinnah Wali Azadi‘ were raised by the anti-CAA protesters. The protest was masterminded by Sharjeel Imam, a fan of Muhammad Ali Jinnah who had urged Muslims to cut off North East India from the rest of the country. He is currently locked up in prison. A baby had also died at Shaheen Bagh after being exposed regularly to the harsh Winter weather of Delhi by the parents who consider it to be a sacrifice for the protest.
