Shaheen Bagh protesters say they will stay put
NEWDELHI: Despite the Delhi government’s barring any formal gathering of over 50 people on Monday in view of the Covid-19 epidemic, protesters at Shaheen Bagh said they will continue their agitation but added that they will divide into smaller groups now and spread across the road that connects Noida with south Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced more restrictions to contain the spread of coronavirus under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 . All social, cultural, political, religious, academic, sports, and family gatherings of over 50 people have been barred, the only exceptions being weddings.
Since Covid-19 is a respiratory disease, health experts have warned that exposure to large gathering increases the chances of contracting it.
To a specific question about the anti-caa protest at Shaheen Bagh, Kejriwal said the rule will apply to all gatherings of more than 50 people. “If protesters or any other groups continue to gather in large numbers then appropriate actions under the Epidemic Disease Act will be taken by the district magistrates, sub-divisional magistrates,” the chief minister said.
The Act allows district magistrates to take action against people not cooperating with government orders under section 133 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. They may remove a person obstructing the government’s work or causing nuisance. It also allows “coercive action as deemed necessary” and a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment and ₹1,000 fine or both under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code.
In order to protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act and National Register of Citizens, hundreds of locals had blocked the arterial road no. 13 A — that connects south Delhi with Noida — at Shaheen Bagh on December 15, 2019. In the past three months, protesters have refused to vacate the spot unless CAA is repealed.
Reacting to the order, Abid Sheikh, one of the organisers at Shaheen Bagh protest, said: “We have decreased the number of protesters and are still working on it. The protest site is about 1.2-km-long. We are trying to ensure that not more than 50 people sit at a place.”
Ritu Kaushik, another organiser, said, “We were waiting for the Supreme Court hearing on the matter on March 23. Now with the Delhi government order, we are holding consultations on how to continue our protests.” The protesters held talks with Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors last month on the road blockade and the report has been submitted to the apex court.
Protesters said they are taking precautions such as washing hands regularly, using sanitisers, and spreading awareness on basic hygiene. “We will also ensure that the protesters sit at some distance with one another as shown in multiple health advisories,” said a volunteer, requesting anonymity.