The Shaheen Bagh anti-protest site was cleared by Delhi Police today morning in wake of the coronavirus pandemic. However, in an unprecedented move, the artwork, graffiti and murals, a symbol of resistance, have been removed by the government.
The art installations have been dismantled at both the protest sites while the walls with graffiti have been whitewashed. It is speculated that the local authorities might be behind the painting of the walls, to bring them back to their original condition.
The Shaheen Bagh sit-in protest led by women came to a halt today after more than 100 days over the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The site was vacated by women earlier considering Section 144 being imposed in the national capital to tackle the pandemic.
The recent act of the authorities has sparked anger on Twitter with some questioning if graffiti is also contagious.
The cops had brought in cranes to remove the temporary structures erected along the road. The massive tent under which the protests were held were also dismantled. Police said they have taken all the tents and billboards agitators had put up in Shaheen Bagh.
¡°Shaheen Bagh has been cleared. We requested them to vacate the road. They continued to ignore the request,¡± RP Meena, deputy commissioner of police South East Delhi, said.