Delhi poll worries don’t deter Shaheen Bagh

NEW DELHI: Shaheen Bagh, venue of a peaceful sit-in protest against CAA-NRC, has loomed large over the Delhi election. Home minister Amit Shah urged his voters to press the EVM button with so much anger that the current could be felt in Shaheen Bagh. Junior finance minister Anurag Thakur promised that Shaheen Bagh would be cleared as soon as the election was won by BJP.A Hindu supremacist shooter also showed up there.
But on the eve of a decisive election, Shaheen Bagh has bigger things to worry about — the ‘kaala kanoon’, as they call CAA. “This is not about any election, it is about Constitution. We will stay here till we are heard,” says Reshma Parveen, who is at the site with her baby. “They can see the pareshani (inconvenience) of traffic, but can’t they see how it feels when someone’s citizenship is at stake? Is traffic a greater issue than someone’s wajood, our existence?” asks a woman sitting next to her.
While students, activists and other citizens have all come to sit with them, there is considerable suspicion of the media, which they feel has maligned them as they seek their rights. “They say we are paid Rs 500 to sit here, in this bitter cold. A child died and they used even that against us. But there is an uparwala (divine power) and all this is being seen,” says an elderly woman.
Women of all generations sit together while men stand on the sidelines. They come after their work is done, some dandling babies, sitting with children. Anyone can go, list his or her name and make a speech.
There are many outsiders who come to support them, encourage them and express solidarity. Four contingents of Sikh farmers have come recently, and one of these visitors says: “This is being called a Pakistani conspiracy. That’s why we came here from Punjab to stand next to you.” When he ends his speech with Sat Sri Akal, Shaheen Bagh’s men and women join in.
There is some talk about the election and AAP’s chances. Are they worried about what could happen after the results come in on Tuesday?
“We are not thinking about any danger, we don’t care,” says Parveen. “One dies at the time one is fated to die — there is no fear now,” says another woman.
How long do they intend to continue? During the campaign, AAP and others urged them to call off the protest to avoid polarisation.
“It’s not a party or a function which can be wound up just like that. We are not here because it’s fun. We will leave today, right now, if someone from the Government comes and talks to us,” says Tabassum.
“We know it’s all politics, but there are boundaries. Their minds may be closed, but if they came here, hum mohabbat se samjhaenge (We will explaint to them with love). It is not a Hindu-Muslim matter, it is about citizenship, Constitution. If you are making a law, why single out and exclude one community,” she asks.
“Unless we feel secure, how can we concentrate on our studies, how can we make this country proud of our achievements? Sabka saath ho, tabhi toh sabka vikas hoga (Only when everyone is with us will everyone progress),” says 12-year-old Areeba, sitting next to her mother.