Despite Coronavirus Crisis & Calls To Shut Sit-In, Shaheen Bagh Protests Continue With Prayers
Shaheen Bagh protests have been on since December 2019 with Muslim women leading the fight against the Citizenship Amendment Act CAA and NPR. With the coronavirus threat which is looming large on the country and has so far killed two people in India and thousands around the world calls to call off the sit-in protests are growing louder. Delhi government has ordered a ban on any formal gathering of more than 200 people including the Indian Premier...Read More
The Shaheen Bagh protests have been on since December 2019 with Muslim women leading the fight against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and NPR.
However with the coronavirus threat, which is looming large on the country, and has so far killed two people in India and thousands around the world, calls to call off the sit-in protests are growing louder.
Protesters at the Shaheen Bagh say that even the biggest problems can be solved by reading the Quran from the heart.
They said that just like they prayed to Allah during the winter season, they can do the same for the coronavirus crisis as well.
The world is now battling with the coronavirus pandemic and a lot has changed for the country over the past few weeks. Just this week, two people died in the country due to the novel virus and 85 positive cases have been registered so far.
Thousands around the world have died with majority deaths coming from China, Italy and Iran.
The government has advised people to avoid large gatherings in the wake of the pandemic. Schools, colleges, cinema halls have been shut and people are advised to work from home.
Even as the protest spirit runs high, people on Twitter urged the protesters to call off the sit-in.
Protesters say CAA and NPR are bigger concerns for them than coronavirus. They want the government to arrange for a virus screening at the protest site.
However, the effect is quite visible. There are fewer people at the site. However, protesters deny the fall in number.
Due to the need to be safe and avoid crowds this is the right time to withdraw all protests. Thank you. #AntiCAAProtest #CoronaAlert
¡ª Saba Naqvi (@_sabanaqvi) March 13, 2020
In view of the #coronavirus outbreak in the country, #ShaheenBagh agitators, have demanded sanitisers, masks for safety purpose. Shaheen Bagh protestors will hold a press conference on Delhi riots & will touch upon the issue of #COVID_19 at the illegally occupied protest venue.
¡ª Ashwani Dubey (@AdvAshwaniDubey) March 13, 2020
Shaheen Bagh protesters are being advised by many to suspend their protests, till the Coronavirus threat blows over.
¡ª Yanger Longkumer (@YangerLongkume2) March 13, 2020
These protesters dared to call out the bigotry of the PM & have stood their ground against all odds.
I'm sure they can decide whether or not, without our help.
Unpopular opinion - suspend Shaheen Bagh because of coronavirus risk.
¡ª Sanpaku (@Grammatizator) March 13, 2020
Dear Shaheen Bagh friends,
¡ª Sasidharan Pazhoor (@inquestioner) March 13, 2020
I think you should stop the protests & take care of your family's health & yours for now.
I can assure you that #coronavirus will ensure that this govt will never be in a position to even think of CAA/NRC/NPR for the rest of their term.
Take care?
The Delhi government has ordered a ban on any formal gathering of more than 200 people, including the sporting events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Friday asked people to avoid public gatherings and maintain ¡°social distancing¡± as preventive measures.
When asked if the order also applies to Shaheen Bagh, he said the removal of protesters will have to be done by the Central government.
¡°Yesterday, we issued an order to shut all cinema halls, schools and colleges till March 31.Today, in another order, we have banned any sports gatherings, seminars and conferences having 200 people or more. Beyond this, if people are still meeting in large numbers, we can only appeal to them not to do so. Public health should be of prime importance,¡± said Sisodia.
