New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors met Shaheen Bagh protestors Thursday in their second visit to the site where people have been on a sit-in since the last two months against the amended citizenship act (CAA).
Advocates Sanjay Hedge and Sadhana Ramachandran, the interlocutors, were not willing to start the discussion in the presence of media. The protestors tried to convince them that they want to represent their issues before the media, but the journalists were later asked to leave.
Ramachandran began addressing the protestors saying, ‘Aapne bulaya hum chale aaye (You called us and we are here)’.
Hegde told the protesters that the apex court has recognised their right to protest.
“When Shaheen Bagh has become an example of protests in India, let us set an example of a protest that does not disturb anybody. You all must be rest assured that we are here to fight for you. Don’t think if you change your spot, your fight will die down,” Hegde told the protestors.
“We have seen many prime ministers come and go. Whoever comes in power and runs the country, sometimes some could be right and some could be wrong. Whatever you are saying the whole country is listening and also the PM,” Hegde added.
The protestors have been demanding repeal of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).
Ramchandran said she was ‘really waiting’ for that day when the ‘country’s atmosphere will change’.
An elderly man also expressed his fear about his children’s security. “I am very scared… I am very scared for my children. Madam save me,” he said.
When Ramchandran asked him more about his fear, the man replied, “I am a single father. I will die and go but my children should get to live here with authority. My girls go to school where they are being told that you will go out of the country.”
Ramchandran told protestors not to cry and speak openly. Another man, while talking to the interlocutors, said, “I have a national flag on my bicycle. We love this country and stop calling us traitors.” His daughter told mediators, “I am a young girl and I want a beautiful India.”
However, in spite of discussions on the second successive day, the protesters showed no signs of shifting to a different space. Their attitude remained quite defiant with a number of protesters shouting ‘down with CAA’ in front of the interlocutors.
PTI