Acid attack fighters anxious post demolition drive
AGRA: Acid attack survivors running the Sheroes Hangout in Agra are living in anxiety after the local municipal body demolished the front portion of the café during an anti-encroachment drive on July 11.
“The red mark put by the demolition team at our doorstep would not leave any parking space and the open area we earlier had for visitors.
We pin our hopes on the present government in the state and would meet the district magistrate with a request for alternative space,” stated Ashish Shukla, director of Chaanv Foundation, running the first-ever café by acid attack survivors.
“Sheroes Hangout is not just a café. It stands for the self reliance and self-confidence of acid attack survivors.
Its closure is not that big an issue, but the government should spell out some other concrete plan for assuring a dignified livelihood for these acid attack survivors,” said Ashish.
“Former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav allotted space for the café run by acid attack fighters in Lucknow and also stood by us when we faced the demolition drive in Agra.
He even came to us earlier this week and promised better space for us, if he comes to power. We are strengthened by such support,” said Shukla.
The Sheroes Hangout on Fatehabad road in Agra is a well known place. Various social organisations hold meetings at this cafe that is located near the Taj Mahal.
It is a favourite destination for celebrities who laud the determination with which acid attack fighters are running this café. Visitors are charged on ‘pay as you wish’ basis for coffee and snacks served here.
All was well till July 11, when a joint team of nagar nigam and public works department reached the spot and brought down encroachments on the side of Fatehabad Road.
The wall made of bamboo sticks in the front portion of the café was also razed and a ‘red mark’ was put on the doorstep of the café, leaving the acid attack survivors anxious about the future of Sheroes Hangout.
“The exercise was undertaken to remove encroachments to facilitate road widening as part of the smart city project. Those from the café were allowed to remove their belongings and the bamboo wall was removed.
The action was not just confined to Sheroes Hangout, similar treatment was given to encroachments by others,” stated Vijay Kumar, additional commissioner, nagar nigam, the body which undertook the demolition drive.
The action was limited to removal of encroachments and no further demolition would be undertaken against the remaining structure of Sheroes Hangout Café, clarified Vijay Kumar.