CAA-NRC bigger threat than Coronavirus: Shaheen Bagh protesters

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CAA-NRC bigger threat than Coronavirus: Shaheen Bagh protesters

The women at Shaheen Bagh said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their healthcare

Tuesday March 17, 2020 8:29 PM, ummid.com with inputs from IANS

New Delhi: Women protesting at Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR) feel that the CAA combined with NRC and NPR are a bigger threat than the novel coronavirus.

More than 500 women are sitting close to each other despite the coronavirus threat and advisory of the Delhi government. Neither is there any facility to wash hands nor have they covered their mouths with masks.

The women at Shaheen Bagh said it is the responsibility of the government to ensure their healthcare.

"We have to fight the coronavirus as well as the CAA. The CAA and the NRC are more dangerous than the coronavirus so we will continue our fight. We won't withdraw the protest amid fear of getting infected", Sofia, a woman protester, said.

'Open a Mohalla Clinic'

"Mohalla clinics have been opened by the Delhi government at various places. If the government is so worried about our health, they should open a mohalla clinic near the protest site," said Rukhsat another woman protesting here.

Noorjahan, a 54-year-old woman, said: "If the government is worried about us then why don't they withdraw the Act. If they withdraw the CAA today, we will end the protest. But unless the government take it back we will continue to protest even if we get infected by the coronavirus."

'Ready for all sacrifices'

The women protesters said they were ready for all sacrifices.

"We faced a lot of problems during the protest. We faced the winter chill and now we will face the scorching summer. The coronavirus threat also can't stop us. Unless the government listen to our demand we will continue to fight", the women added.

'Have risen up to protect the nation'

In a statement issued earlier in the morning the protesters at Shaheen Bagh said they had risen up to protect the nation and its constitution.

"Our fight is not against the ways of nature, but against the oppressive ways of our fellow humans. We have sat through the coldest winter of a century, and we shall also find ways to overcome our present conditions with utmost prescautions to ensure the safety of our fellow proestors", they said.

'Ensure protection of Delhi riot victims'

"We also demand the Delhi government to take adequate and immediate measures to ensure the safety of those in North-East Delhi who have lost their homes and are living in relief camps", the Shaheen Bagh protestors said in the statement posted on Twitter.

"While keeping in mind the health hazards of a congregation, we want to stress on the importance of continuing this struggle to protect the lives and statehoods of those marginalised by the policies of the central government", they said.

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