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CITIZENSHIP

Shaheen Bagh-like protests begin in UP

otivated by on- Meanwhile the court has
going continu- granted bail to various activ-
ous agitation ists locked in Lucknow Jail.
over Citizen- The president of Rihai Manch
M ship Amend- Mohd Shoaib released on
ment Act (CAA) and National bail as the Lucknow police
Register of Citizens (NRC) in miserable failed to place any
Delhi’s ShaheenBagh, a group evidences against him for
of women with their children provoking violence on CAA
have started spontaneous protest of December 19, 2019.
protests at Clock Tower Similarly, Congress leader
Park in old Lucknow area Sadaf Jafar, who was merci-
amidst fog and severe cold lessly beaten at the police sta-
conditions. Administration tion, was set free by the court
deployed heavy police and as no case of violence could
Rapid Action Force (RAF) in be made against her with suf-
the area to meet any unprec- ficient evidences. Civil Rights
edented situation. activist Robin Verma and
The support to protest Deepak Kabirtoo have been
has drawn good response A group of women have started demonstration released on bail.
braving the shivering chill Addressing the media
and fog, the residents of at Clock Tower Park in old Lucknow, Mohd Shoaib’s advocate said,
Husainabad including large writes mudit mathur “The government has mis-
number of elderly woman conceived that putting us in
had left their homes on Janu- that had gone violent. “My of the place and locked public jail and adopting oppressive
ary 17 afternoon to join it and nephew was totally peaceful toilets. This step backfired as could crush public agitations.
spent the night in open space but he was put behind the it further gave rise to public We are not scared of going
under the Clock Tower to op- bars just because he opposed sympathies for the protesters to jails.”
pose CAA and the proposed the government’s move. I will and local residents allowed Narrating the atrocities
NRC exercise. By evening, continue peaceful protest protesters to use their per- met by him, he said, “The
the women from all religious until he is released uncondi- sonal washrooms enlarging police wanted to know the
faith and age group started tionally,” she added. the scope of protest. Support whereabouts of General
joining the protest. The The protestors are hold- for the protesters poured secretary Rajiv Yadav and
number went up to 300. The ing posters and banners of in shape of logistics. A Sikh threatened to implicate in
figures further grown up on Mahatma Gandhi, Bhim Rao family came at the place fake cases.” He alleged that
January 19 as girls students Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh with food packets and water some protesters who were
assembled in support. and shouting slogans of “In- bottles for them. Hearing rounded upby police for in-
The first time women quilab Zindabad” and reciting about the hardships facing citing violence were released
protesters along with their patriotic couplets of martyr by peaceful protesters some on the calls from BJP office
grandchildren determined Ram Prasad Bismil, “Sarfa- Samaritans lent their helping while innocent people were
to continue their demand to roshi ki tamanna ab humare hand providing food, fruit sent to jail.
revoke CAA. “My parents and dil mein hai, dekhna hai zor juice, shawls and blankets to Meanwhile, the state BJP
grandparents were born in kitna bazu-e- qaatil mei hai.” them. leaders and ministers have
India and they did not leave Such an initiative by elderly Rahila, a protester, said, started a massive drive to
any papers for us to show people has attracted large “We are determined to exer- educate public about CAA
to the government, we have crowd of youngsters who cise our right to dissent over and NRC and clear misgiv-
assembled with our children brought food, refreshments the passage of CAA law by the ings created by opposition
and it is the fight for our and quilts and warm clothes government adopting consti- parties about the legislation.
rights,” 72 years old Rabbo for them. tutional method of peace and Adityanath took a stern
told Tehelka. Police and administra- non-violence. Some young view against Congress and
Ishat Jahan, 75, said that tion have adopted all tricks boy s and men came to join Samajwadi Party as alleged
her nephew and many others to disperse the protesting the protest with usbut we to be main force behind such
have been arrested during crowd but they failed to have not allowed, because we protests.
the protest against CAA in succeed. The administration don’t want any violence we
Lucknow on 19 December initially snapped electricity appealed them to stay back.” LETTERS@TEHELKA.COM

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