Shaheen Bagh protesters to defy Janata curfew, agitation will continue
What's the story
Putting theirs and the lives of dozens at risk, the protesters of Shaheen Bagh have decided to continue their agitation tomorrow when the entire nation has been requested to follow Janata curfew to reduce the transmission of coronavirus. The protesters, who want the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act scrapped, claimed they were taking all necessary precautions and that women will sit at a distance tomorrow.
Context
The agitation has been continuing for three months now
Since mid-December, several women have been sitting in Shaheen Bagh, a pocket in Delhi, to protest against CAA, which makes religion a criterion for granting citizenship to outsiders. The agitation has continued despite the Supreme Court saying that it must be shifted, as it was causing traffic woes. A mediation team also failed to strike a deal with the protesters and they haven't moved.
Plan
Women will sit in smaller tents, will distance themselves
After COVID-19 disease reached India, there was a renewed demand to vacate the site since it poses a health risk. The only way to contain the highly-contagious virus is to maintain social distancing, but the protesters remained adamant. A protester said, "On Sunday, we will sit under small tents. Only two women will sit under each tent and maintain a distance of one meter between them."
Changes
Women no longer sit on mattresses
Another protester named Ritu Kushik said women above 70 years and kids aged below 10 years aren't allowed at the site anymore. He also said women aren't sitting on mats, but have switched to cots. There's a minimum distance of three meters between the cots and not more than one woman can sit on one. Another said washing hands is part of a routine.
Details
Notably, gatherings are banned in Delhi, lockdown could be next
On Monday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal banned a gathering of more than 50 people in the National Capital, underlining that it applies to Shaheen Bagh as well. Yesterday, not more than 50 women were sitting, the protesters informed. However, today Kejriwal said a gathering of more than five people is banned. He didn't rule out the idea of implementing a lockdown either.
Quote
Discontinue morning walks, stay at home: Kejriwal
"I appeal to all of you to discontinue your morning walks for some time and stay at home. We are not doing a lockdown currently but we might in future, if necessary, for your betterment and safety," the AAP convenor said.
PIL
Meanwhile, a PIL has been filed in Supreme Court
Saying that the protest poses a huge danger, advocate Ashutosh Dubey filed a PIL in the top court, seeking directions to vacate the area. Pointing towards the advisory issued by Health Ministry, the petitioner said, "Life of several lakhs of people in Delhi will be at immediate threat as it (COVID-19) is very contagious if by any chance this disease takes a shape of community spread."