The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ruled that public spaces and roads cannot be occupied indefinitely by protestors and that dissent and democracy must go hand in hand.

A bench headed by Justice S K Kaul passed the verdict on batch of petitions against the anti-CAA protests in the national capital's Shaheen Bagh.

The court also said that authorities must ensure that such spaces are cleared.

“Dissent and democracy must go hand in hand but protests should be confined to designated areas,” said Justice SK Kaul.

The top court order has come on pleas seeking removal of protesters from Shaheen Bagh area of the national capital that witnessed months of occupation of an arterial road, causing inconvenience to the commuters between Delhi and Noida.

Reserving the verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday had said that the right to protest needs to be balanced with the mobility of people on a public road, as a person has a right to move from one place to another and this right cannot be prejudiced by the blocking of public road to hold protest.

A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Krishna Murari and Aniruddha Bose took up the matter in September after a gap of nearly seven months.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ruled that public spaces and roads cannot be occupied indefinitely by protestors and that dissent and democracy must go hand in hand.

The Supreme Court of India on Wednesday ruled that public spaces and roads cannot be occupied indefinitely by protestors and that dissent and democracy must go hand in hand. A bench headed by Justice S K Kaul passed the verdict on batch of petitions against the anti-CAA protests in the national capital's Shaheen Bagh. The court also said that authorities must ensure that such spaces are cleared. “Dissent and democracy must go hand in hand but protests should be confined to designated areas,” said Justice SK Kaul. The top court order has come on pleas seeking removal of protesters from Shaheen Bagh area of the national capital that witnessed months of occupation of an arterial road, causing inconvenience to the commuters between Delhi and Noida. Reserving the verdict, the Supreme Court on Monday had said that the right to protest needs to be balanced with the mobility of people on a public road, as a person has a right to move from one place to another and this right cannot be prejudiced by the blocking of public road to hold protest. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul, Krishna Murari and Aniruddha Bose took up the matter in September after a gap of nearly seven months. (With inputs from agencies)

Public places can't be occupied indefinitely by protesters: Supreme Court on Shaheen Bagh

Sanjay Hegde, one of the two interlocutors appointed by the Supreme Court to hold talks with protesters at Shaheen Bagh area to convince them to hold the agitation at an alternative site, said that they expect the protestors to come up with amicable solutions.

"We urged them to understand their role as responsible citizens under the Indian constitution and find solutions keeping in mind other fellow citizens. We said that we interlocutors were not going to impose any decision on them, but rather expected solutions to emerge from their side," Hegde's statement read.

"With the oncoming festival of Holi, we requested them to embrace positive solutions for the best interest of the country and the constitution," it added.

The statement added that upon resuming talks, the team of interlocutors had expressed their appreciation to the protestors for maintaining peace at the protest site despite violence in other parts of Delhi.

"In accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court, which has directed us to resume our dialogue with the protesters at Shaheen Bagh, we went to the site of the protests on March 3. We expressed our appreciation to the protesters for maintaining peace at the protest site, despite the violence that has recently rocked other parts of Delhi," it read.

The protesters, according to Hegde, were made aware of the fact that the team of interlocutors would be readily available to them "whenever they are collectively ready with any possible resolution of the current situation."

On February 17, the Supreme Court had appointed senior lawyers Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran, besides former CIC Wajahat Habibullah, to hold talks with protesters at Shaheen Bagh area to convince them to hold the agitation at an alternative site.

The interlocutors had submitted their reports to the SC in a sealed cover on February 24.

Thousands of people, the majority of them women, have been holding a sit-in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed NRC at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area since mid-December last year.

A PIL was filed by Nand Kishore Garg and Amit Sahni through their lawyer Shashank Deo Sudhi seeking appropriate directions to the Centre and others for removal of protestors from Shaheen Bagh near Kalindi Kunj.

It stated that people in Shaheen Bagh are illegally protesting against the CAA 2019, by blocking the common and public road connecting Delhi to Noida.

The petition seeks appropriate direction to the respondents, including the Union of India (UOI) for laying down detailed, comprehensive and exhaustive guidelines relating to outright restrictions for holding protest/agitation leading to obstruction of the public place.

The apex court will be hearing the matter on March 23. 
&nbsp;

Sanjay Hegde, one of the two interlocutors appointed by the Supreme Court to hold talks with protesters at Shaheen Bagh area to convince them to hold the agitation at an alternative site, said that they expect the protestors to come up with amicable solutions.

Sanjay Hegde, one of the two interlocutors appointed by the Supreme Court to hold talks with protesters at Shaheen Bagh area to convince them to hold the agitation at an alternative site, said that they expect the protestors to come up with amicable solutions. "We urged them to understand their role as responsible citizens under the Indian constitution and find solutions keeping in mind other fellow citizens. We said that we interlocutors were not going to impose any decision on them, but rather expected solutions to emerge from their side," Hegde's statement read. "With the oncoming festival of Holi, we requested them to embrace positive solutions for the best interest of the country and the constitution," it added. The statement added that upon resuming talks, the team of interlocutors had expressed their appreciation to the protestors for maintaining peace at the protest site despite violence in other parts of Delhi. "In accordance with the orders of the Supreme Court, which has directed us to resume our dialogue with the protesters at Shaheen Bagh, we went to the site of the protests on March 3. We expressed our appreciation to the protesters for maintaining peace at the protest site, despite the violence that has recently rocked other parts of Delhi," it read. The protesters, according to Hegde, were made aware of the fact that the team of interlocutors would be readily available to them "whenever they are collectively ready with any possible resolution of the current situation." On February 17, the Supreme Court had appointed senior lawyers Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran, besides former CIC Wajahat Habibullah, to hold talks with protesters at Shaheen Bagh area to convince them to hold the agitation at an alternative site. The interlocutors had submitted their reports to the SC in a sealed cover on February 24. Thousands of people, the majority of them women, have been holding a sit-in protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed NRC at Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area since mid-December last year. A PIL was filed by Nand Kishore Garg and Amit Sahni through their lawyer Shashank Deo Sudhi seeking appropriate directions to the Centre and others for removal of protestors from Shaheen Bagh near Kalindi Kunj. It stated that people in Shaheen Bagh are illegally protesting against the CAA 2019, by blocking the common and public road connecting Delhi to Noida. The petition seeks appropriate direction to the respondents, including the Union of India (UOI) for laying down detailed, comprehensive and exhaustive guidelines relating to outright restrictions for holding protest/agitation leading to obstruction of the public place. The apex court will be hearing the matter on March 23.

Expect Shaheen Bagh protesters to come up with amicable solutions, says Sanjay Hegde

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Delhi government and Delhi police over Shaheen Bagh protest and posted the matter for hearing on February 17. ''The protest has been going on for a long time.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to Delhi government and Delhi police over Shaheen Bagh protest and posted the matter for hearing on February 17. ''The protest has been going on for a long time. You can`t block public roads indefinitely and the protests can`t continue like this on public places," observed Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul. A bench comprising Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and KM Joseph was hearing the matter. Justice Kaul said the protests have gone into many days, there must a designated area to protest, "you just cannot block the road. There cannot be an indefinite period of protest in public area. Then, everybody will protest everywhere", added Kaul. The apex court's observation came after counsel for Bhim Army Chief Chandershekhar Azad said that the matter is about balancing rights. Justice Joseph also agreed with this observation on blocking a public road. "Can you block the public road", said Justice Joseph. Advocate Amit Sahni had moved the apex court seeking directions to the authorities to remove the blockade on the Shaheen Bagh stretch. Meanwhile, a protest march was held from Mandi House to Parliament House in the national capital against Citizenship Amendment Act, National Register of Citizens and National Population Register.

Supreme Court issues notices to Delhi govt, police over Shaheen Bagh protest

After pictures of Shaheen Bagh gunman Kapil Gujjar joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of party MP Sanjay Singh surfaced on Tuesday, the BJP accused its rival in Delhi of "instigating and misusing" the youth.

Kapil had fired two aerial shots near Shaheen Bagh protest site on February 1 as he was apparently angry over the road blockade.

"It is not a casual photo. He (Kapil Gujjar) was joining Aam Aadmi Party and (Rajya Sabha MP)Sanjay Singh welcomed him. This shows how AAP instigates the youth and misuses them. Thus AAP stands exposed before the people of Delhi," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said at a press conference on Tuesday.

"They welcome youth into their party by garlanding them and then make them fire bullets. It has now become clear through various sources that the youth who opened fire at Shaheen Bagh was an AAP member," he added.

Slamming the AAP further, Javadekar said, "They openly supported the protests at Shaheen Bagh and other places because they want to increase tension (in Delhi). Their MLA Amanatullah Khan had recently given a speech in Shaheen Bagh also. Now Sanjay Singh says what if a photo has surfaced."

AAP leader Sanjay Singh earlier today had alleged that it was a "conspiracy" and "another example of BJP's dirty politics".

"Amit Shah is the Home Minister of the country right now. Before the elections, many more photos and conspiracies will emerge. There are just three to four days left for the elections. BJP will do as much dirty politics as it can. What does having a picture with someone mean?" Singh told ANI here.

Earlier today, the photos recovered from Kapil's phone show him and his father Gaje Singh with AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Atishi. The photo is apparently from the last year when the father-son duo joined the party.

Confirming that the photos were recovered from Kapil's phone, DCP Crime Branch, Rajesh Deo said today, "We recovered the pictures from his phone during the course of the investigation. Kapil has confessed that he and his father joined AAP somewhere between January-February 2019.

After pictures of Shaheen Bagh gunman Kapil Gujjar joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of party MP Sanjay Singh surfaced on Tuesday, the BJP accused its rival in Delhi of "instigating and misusing" the youth.

After pictures of Shaheen Bagh gunman Kapil Gujjar joining the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the presence of party MP Sanjay Singh surfaced on Tuesday, the BJP accused its rival in Delhi of "instigating and misusing" the youth. Kapil had fired two aerial shots near Shaheen Bagh protest site on February 1 as he was apparently angry over the road blockade. "It is not a casual photo. He (Kapil Gujjar) was joining Aam Aadmi Party and (Rajya Sabha MP)Sanjay Singh welcomed him. This shows how AAP instigates the youth and misuses them. Thus AAP stands exposed before the people of Delhi," Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said at a press conference on Tuesday. "They welcome youth into their party by garlanding them and then make them fire bullets. It has now become clear through various sources that the youth who opened fire at Shaheen Bagh was an AAP member," he added. Slamming the AAP further, Javadekar said, "They openly supported the protests at Shaheen Bagh and other places because they want to increase tension (in Delhi). Their MLA Amanatullah Khan had recently given a speech in Shaheen Bagh also. Now Sanjay Singh says what if a photo has surfaced." AAP leader Sanjay Singh earlier today had alleged that it was a "conspiracy" and "another example of BJP's dirty politics". "Amit Shah is the Home Minister of the country right now. Before the elections, many more photos and conspiracies will emerge. There are just three to four days left for the elections. BJP will do as much dirty politics as it can. What does having a picture with someone mean?" Singh told ANI here. Earlier today, the photos recovered from Kapil's phone show him and his father Gaje Singh with AAP leaders Sanjay Singh and Atishi. The photo is apparently from the last year when the father-son duo joined the party. Confirming that the photos were recovered from Kapil's phone, DCP Crime Branch, Rajesh Deo said today, "We recovered the pictures from his phone during the course of the investigation. Kapil has confessed that he and his father joined AAP somewhere between January-February 2019.

Shaheen Bagh gunman's photo with AAP leaders exposes the party, says BJP

Kapil Gujjar, the man who fired in Shaheen Bagh on February 1, has been sent on police remand for two days by a Delhi court on Sunday.

Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village near Delhi-Noida border, was detained by police on Saturday following the firing incident.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/latest-india-news-shaheen-bagh-sit-in-protest-by-women-interrupted-278146">Protest erupt in Delhi against Shaheen Bagh sit-in</a>

"The police personnel overpowered and detained him on the spot while he was firing in the air. He is being interrogated. An FIR is being registered and further investigation is underway," Chinmoy Biswal, DCP, South-East had said.

According to Delhi Police sources, Kapil told the police that the protest at Shaheen Bagh caused traffic jams in the area.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-fires-two-rounds-of-bullets-in-shaheen-bagh-area-gets-detained-278046">Man fires two rounds of bullets in Shaheen Bagh area, gets detained</a>

His cousin's wedding was coming up and he used to get stuck in traffic for hours while going to Lajpat Nagar to make arrangements. Hence, he took this step and fired shots in the air.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Kapil Gujjar, the man who fired in Shaheen Bagh on February 1, has been sent on police remand for two days by a Delhi court on Sunday. Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village near Delhi-Noida border, was detained by police on Saturday following the firing incident.

Kapil Gujjar, the man who fired in Shaheen Bagh on February 1, has been sent on police remand for two days by a Delhi court on Sunday. Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village near Delhi-Noida border, was detained by police on Saturday following the firing incident. Also read: Protest erupt in Delhi against Shaheen Bagh sit-in "The police personnel overpowered and detained him on the spot while he was firing in the air. He is being interrogated. An FIR is being registered and further investigation is underway," Chinmoy Biswal, DCP, South-East had said. According to Delhi Police sources, Kapil told the police that the protest at Shaheen Bagh caused traffic jams in the area. Also read: Man fires two rounds of bullets in Shaheen Bagh area, gets detained His cousin's wedding was coming up and he used to get stuck in traffic for hours while going to Lajpat Nagar to make arrangements. Hence, he took this step and fired shots in the air.

Shaheen Bagh shooter sent to police remand for two days

A protest erupted in the national capital on Sunday against the sit-in protest by women at Shaheen Bagh. Scores of women at Shaheen are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

The protestors raised slogans `Jai Shree Ram` and `Vande Matram` while some were seen carrying Indian flags."No permission granted to anyone to hold a demonstration in and around Shaheen Bagh area against the ongoing protest here over CAA. But still, some people called on the protest today, so, they were stopped and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-urge-anti-caa-protestors-at-shaheen-bagh-to-clear-road-blockade-275002">dispersed by police</a>," said DCP Chinmoy Biswal while talking to ANI. This comes a day after a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/a-person-open-fires-at-shaheen-bagh-shouting-sirf-hinduon-ki-chalegi-278057">man fired aerial shots</a> at the site of a protest in Shaheen Bagh on Saturday.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-hc-directs-police-to-look-into-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-blockage-causing-difficulty-for-students-275051">Delhi HC directs police to look into Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh blockage causing difficulty for students</a>

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/man-fires-two-rounds-of-bullets-in-shaheen-bagh-area-gets-detained-278046">police have detained</a> the man, identified as Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village near Delhi-Noida border, said Chinmoy Biswal, DCP, South-East. Gujjar told the police that he was angry with the traffic blockade as his cousin`s wedding is approaching and he had to run around a lot to make arrangements, police sources said.

Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh since December 15 last year against the CAA due to which Kalindi Kunj road has been shut for traffic movement.&nbsp;

A petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week seeking appropriate directions to the police to open the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch contending that the road closure is causing huge inconvenience to people.

The amended citizenship law grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India before 2015.

A protest erupted in the national capital on Sunday against the sit-in protest by women at Shaheen Bagh. Scores of women at Shaheen are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA).

A protest erupted in the national capital on Sunday against the sit-in protest by women at Shaheen Bagh. Scores of women at Shaheen are protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). The protestors raised slogans `Jai Shree Ram` and `Vande Matram` while some were seen carrying Indian flags."No permission granted to anyone to hold a demonstration in and around Shaheen Bagh area against the ongoing protest here over CAA. But still, some people called on the protest today, so, they were stopped and dispersed by police," said DCP Chinmoy Biswal while talking to ANI. This comes a day after a man fired aerial shots at the site of a protest in Shaheen Bagh on Saturday. Also Read: Delhi HC directs police to look into Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh blockage causing difficulty for students The police have detained the man, identified as Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village near Delhi-Noida border, said Chinmoy Biswal, DCP, South-East. Gujjar told the police that he was angry with the traffic blockade as his cousin`s wedding is approaching and he had to run around a lot to make arrangements, police sources said. Protests have been going on at Shaheen Bagh since December 15 last year against the CAA due to which Kalindi Kunj road has been shut for traffic movement. A petition was filed in the Supreme Court last week seeking appropriate directions to the police to open the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch contending that the road closure is causing huge inconvenience to people. The amended citizenship law grants citizenship to Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Buddhist, and Christian refugees from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh, who came to India before 2015.

Protest erupt in Delhi against Shaheen Bagh sit-in

A man fired two rounds of bullets in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area on Saturday where protestors have been demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act.

The man fired bullets in the air after which he was taken into custody by the Police.&nbsp;The man claims to be Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village, near Noida border.

According to reports, no injury or casualty has been reported.&nbsp;

The incident comes just a couple of days after a man had fired on anti-CAA protesters at Delhi's Jamia area, injuring a student.&nbsp;

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/watch-delhi-man-opens-fire-during-anti-caa-protest-one-injured-277559">Delhi man opens fire during anti-CAA protest, one injured</a>

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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> Delhi: Man who fired bullets in Shaheen Bagh has been taken away from the spot by police. The man claims to be Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village (near Noida border). <a href="https://t.co/6xHxREQOe1">pic.twitter.com/6xHxREQOe1</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1223578839638474752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2020</a></blockquote>
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According to reports, 19-year-old Ram Bhagat Gopal Sharma brandished his gun and opened fire where anti-CAA protests were going on in Jamia area on Thursday.&nbsp;

Sharma is reported to be a resident of Greater Noida's Jewar area and has been detained by the Police.

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Union Home Minister Amit Shah took note of the incident and said that the Central government will not tolerate any such incidents.&nbsp;

A man fired two rounds of bullets in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area on Saturday where protestors have been demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The man fired bullets in the air after which he was taken into custody by the Police.

A man fired two rounds of bullets in Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area on Saturday where protestors have been demonstrating against the Citizenship Amendment Act. The man fired bullets in the air after which he was taken into custody by the Police. The man claims to be Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village, near Noida border. According to reports, no injury or casualty has been reported. The incident comes just a couple of days after a man had fired on anti-CAA protesters at Delhi's Jamia area, injuring a student. Also read: Delhi man opens fire during anti-CAA protest, one injured #WATCH Delhi: Man who fired bullets in Shaheen Bagh has been taken away from the spot by police. The man claims to be Kapil Gujjar, a resident of Dallupura village (near Noida border). pic.twitter.com/6xHxREQOe1 — ANI (@ANI) February 1, 2020 × According to reports, 19-year-old Ram Bhagat Gopal Sharma brandished his gun and opened fire where anti-CAA protests were going on in Jamia area on Thursday. Sharma is reported to be a resident of Greater Noida's Jewar area and has been detained by the Police. × Union Home Minister Amit Shah took note of the incident and said that the Central government will not tolerate any such incidents.

Man fires two rounds of bullets in Shaheen Bagh area, gets detained

Firing incident in Jamia has taken the sheen of the BJP government. What started as a protest reflecting the anxiety felt by the minority community has become a statement on what the Indian Constitution stands for. What was being ridiculed as an endless protest received a shot in its arm when a religious bigot fired a shot adjacent to the protest site, amplifying ugly face of reverse polarisation which the government is attempting to do because it cannot see beyond electoral politics.

As electoral politics has become the start and end of the government, anything which can deliver voters to the booth has become acceptable. It is for this reason no disciplinary action has been taken against Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. That is the bad part.

The good part is that protests have been able to draw attention to the nuance of Gandhi’s politics. Earlier, Shaheen Bagh protesters came under attack for heckling the journalist and not letting them enter the venue. I, as a fellow journalist, disagree with this approach as protests cannot be exclusionary even if it means that reporters or editors hold a different view on the subject. They should have been allowed to report and move inside the venue.

But Thursday’s firing has changed all that. The firing is a rude reminder that BJP’s commitment to Gandhi’s politics seems limited to Rajghat or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.

The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was a masterstroke on part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was able to break the biggest stigma which continues to hurt RSS and that being its ideology was behind assassination of Mahatma Gandhi.

By embracing Gandhi and taking him out of school textbooks and seminar halls, Modi was able to blunt Opposition’s ideological edge. Congress was not able to attack Modi because he utilised Gandhi as a campaign to mobilise people for important civic issues like cleanliness which struck a chord with the electorate.

It allowed BJP to ignore other facets of Gandhi’s politics especially his focus on Hindu-Muslim unity during his last days. The present event has almost reversed the wheel. The challenge posed by Shaheen Bagh is that it has snatched Gandhi’s imagination of India from Prime Minister who very carefully took it away from the Congress Party post-2014 Lok Sabha elections through multiple social campaigns. Today the most important aspect of Gandhi, which is peace and religious harmony, rests with the Shaheen Bagh protesters.

This should worry the Prime Minister as many would now challenge his practice of Gandhi as cosmetic and divorced from Gandhi’s real message. The violence blunts his incorporation of Gandhi into BJP-RSS discourse which has already absorbed a number of pre-colonial Congress leaders.

Shaheen Bagh protest should not be evaluated from the perspective of electoral impact. It would be a disservice. It should be seen from the perspective of right or wrong. It has brought the debate on Constitution and citizenship to the centrestage of Indian politics.

PM’s effort to bring Gandhi out of seminars and school books was a welcome move but by not embracing his approach on Hindu Muslim unity it will end up becoming his Achilles heel as Gandhi cannot be absorbed in bits and pieces. 
 
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)&nbsp;

Firing incident in Jamia has taken the sheen of the BJP government. What started as a protest reflecting the anxiety felt by the minority community has become a statement on what the Indian Constitution stands for.

Firing incident in Jamia has taken the sheen of the BJP government. What started as a protest reflecting the anxiety felt by the minority community has become a statement on what the Indian Constitution stands for. What was being ridiculed as an endless protest received a shot in its arm when a religious bigot fired a shot adjacent to the protest site, amplifying ugly face of reverse polarisation which the government is attempting to do because it cannot see beyond electoral politics. As electoral politics has become the start and end of the government, anything which can deliver voters to the booth has become acceptable. It is for this reason no disciplinary action has been taken against Anurag Thakur and Parvesh Verma. That is the bad part. The good part is that protests have been able to draw attention to the nuance of Gandhi’s politics. Earlier, Shaheen Bagh protesters came under attack for heckling the journalist and not letting them enter the venue. I, as a fellow journalist, disagree with this approach as protests cannot be exclusionary even if it means that reporters or editors hold a different view on the subject. They should have been allowed to report and move inside the venue. But Thursday’s firing has changed all that. The firing is a rude reminder that BJP’s commitment to Gandhi’s politics seems limited to Rajghat or Swachh Bharat Abhiyan. The Swachh Bharat Abhiyan was a masterstroke on part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was able to break the biggest stigma which continues to hurt RSS and that being its ideology was behind assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. By embracing Gandhi and taking him out of school textbooks and seminar halls, Modi was able to blunt Opposition’s ideological edge. Congress was not able to attack Modi because he utilised Gandhi as a campaign to mobilise people for important civic issues like cleanliness which struck a chord with the electorate. It allowed BJP to ignore other facets of Gandhi’s politics especially his focus on Hindu-Muslim unity during his last days. The present event has almost reversed the wheel. The challenge posed by Shaheen Bagh is that it has snatched Gandhi’s imagination of India from Prime Minister who very carefully took it away from the Congress Party post-2014 Lok Sabha elections through multiple social campaigns. Today the most important aspect of Gandhi, which is peace and religious harmony, rests with the Shaheen Bagh protesters. This should worry the Prime Minister as many would now challenge his practice of Gandhi as cosmetic and divorced from Gandhi’s real message. The violence blunts his incorporation of Gandhi into BJP-RSS discourse which has already absorbed a number of pre-colonial Congress leaders. Shaheen Bagh protest should not be evaluated from the perspective of electoral impact. It would be a disservice. It should be seen from the perspective of right or wrong. It has brought the debate on Constitution and citizenship to the centrestage of Indian politics. PM’s effort to bring Gandhi out of seminars and school books was a welcome move but by not embracing his approach on Hindu Muslim unity it will end up becoming his Achilles heel as Gandhi cannot be absorbed in bits and pieces. (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL)

Has Mahatma Gandhi become BJP’s Achilles heel?

As the protest at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-high-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-opening-of-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-stretch-274254">Shaheen Bagh</a> against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) entered day 35 on Friday, Delhi Police appealed to protestors to understand the inconvenience caused by the complete highway blockade to residents of Delhi and NCR, senior citizens, emergency patients, and school-going children.

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We appeal to agitators at Road No. 13 A Shaheen Bagh to understand the sufferings that the complete highway blockade is causing to residents of Delhi &amp; NCR, Senior Citizens, emergency patients &amp; school going children. The matter has also come up before the Hon'ble High Court.
— Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) <a href="https://twitter.com/DelhiPolice/status/1218202767283503105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"We appeal to agitators at Road No. 13 A Shaheen Bagh to understand the sufferings that the complete highway blockade is causing to residents of Delhi &amp; NCR, Senior Citizens, emergency patients, and school-going children," Delhi Police tweeted. 
 
The police administration asserted that the matter has also come up before the High Court. 
 
"We again urge protesters to cooperate and clear the road in the larger public interest," it further said. 
 
The protestors at Shaheen Bagh on Friday continued to raise their voice against the amended law. The protestors included new mothers and elderly women.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-high-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-opening-of-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-stretch-274254">Delhi High Court dismisses plea seeking opening of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch</a> 
 
Rihana Khatun, who was at sit in with her 45-day-old baby, said she was seeking justice. 
 
"She (the baby) was 12-days old when I joined the protest on the first day. It has been more than a month now. I am sitting in cold and rains with her to get justice," Khatun said. 
 
She rejected allegations that the protestors were getting paid. "I am not here for money, I have come here for justice and for our country," she said. 
Protesters have installed a giant iron cut-out of India's map with the text stating "We the people of India reject CAA, NPR, and NRC." 
 
The Sikh community has also started 'langar seva' for the protesters and serves food twice a day. 
 
Apart from that, people have also distributed fruits to demonstrators in a show of their support. 
 
Announcements were made at the demonstration stating that protest was not backed or funded by any political party and "please don't give money to volunteers nor will they accept it". 
 
The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/protests-in-the-times-of-internet-shutdowns-271396">religious persecution</a> from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

As the protest at Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) entered day 35 on Friday, Delhi Police appealed to protestors to understand the inconvenience caused by the complete highway blockade to residents of Delhi and NCR, senior citizens, emergency patients, and school-going children.

As the protest at Shaheen Bagh against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) entered day 35 on Friday, Delhi Police appealed to protestors to understand the inconvenience caused by the complete highway blockade to residents of Delhi and NCR, senior citizens, emergency patients, and school-going children. We appeal to agitators at Road No. 13 A Shaheen Bagh to understand the sufferings that the complete highway blockade is causing to residents of Delhi & NCR, Senior Citizens, emergency patients & school going children. The matter has also come up before the Hon'ble High Court. — Delhi Police (@DelhiPolice) January 17, 2020 × "We appeal to agitators at Road No. 13 A Shaheen Bagh to understand the sufferings that the complete highway blockade is causing to residents of Delhi & NCR, Senior Citizens, emergency patients, and school-going children," Delhi Police tweeted. The police administration asserted that the matter has also come up before the High Court. "We again urge protesters to cooperate and clear the road in the larger public interest," it further said. The protestors at Shaheen Bagh on Friday continued to raise their voice against the amended law. The protestors included new mothers and elderly women. Also Read: Delhi High Court dismisses plea seeking opening of Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch Rihana Khatun, who was at sit in with her 45-day-old baby, said she was seeking justice. "She (the baby) was 12-days old when I joined the protest on the first day. It has been more than a month now. I am sitting in cold and rains with her to get justice," Khatun said. She rejected allegations that the protestors were getting paid. "I am not here for money, I have come here for justice and for our country," she said. Protesters have installed a giant iron cut-out of India's map with the text stating "We the people of India reject CAA, NPR, and NRC." The Sikh community has also started 'langar seva' for the protesters and serves food twice a day. Apart from that, people have also distributed fruits to demonstrators in a show of their support. Announcements were made at the demonstration stating that protest was not backed or funded by any political party and "please don't give money to volunteers nor will they accept it". The CAA grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Delhi Police urge anti-CAA protestors at Shaheen Bagh to clear road blockade

The Delhi High Court has asked police to look into the matter of blockage of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-high-court-dismisses-plea-seeking-opening-of-kalindi-kunj-shaheen-bagh-stretch-274254">Kalindi Kunj</a> road due to the protest at Shaheen Bagh and consider the representation of the petitioner and his plight related to those students who have to travel to schools and also have the board examinations. 
 
Justice Navin Chawla has directed the Delhi Police to consider the representation of the Federation of Sarita Vihar Resident's welfare association. 
 
The association has moved the court claiming that there are many students who are facing difficulties during board examinations as the Kalindi Kunj-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-police-urge-anti-caa-protestors-at-shaheen-bagh-to-clear-road-blockade-275002">Shaheen Bagh</a> has been closed since December 15, due to ongoing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). 
 
In a petition filed through advocate Amresh Mathur, the petitioner told the court that the Board exams for Class 10 and 12 are fast approaching in February and March and pre-board exams are set to take place shortly.

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Southeast Delhi DCP, Chinmoy Biswal on ongoing protests in Shaheen Bagh against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CAA?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CAA</a>: We want that locals of Shaheen Bagh follow the High Court orders. Our priority is to maintain law&amp;order. But everyone in this protest is a common citizen so we don't want to take strict action. <a href="https://t.co/o7LOofEg3N">https://t.co/o7LOofEg3N</a> <a href="https://t.co/FlsVIHaz0o">pic.twitter.com/FlsVIHaz0o</a>
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"The closure of Road No. 13 A and massive jams on Mathura Road will prevent the students from reaching their schools on time which will jeopardize their careers," the plea said. 
 
"That this vital arterial road No.13 A which connects Mathura Road near Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar/Jasola to NOIDA (UP) through Kalindi Kunj caters to lakhs of commuters every day to and from Noida to south parts of Delhi and Faridabad/Gurugram and is almost a lifeline of the people of these areas. This arterial road No. 13 A is also being used by thousands of people from Faridabad/Gurugram and beyond to go to Noida, Greater Noida and beyond," added the plea. 
 
It claimed that there is a multi-specialty Hospital namely Apollo Hospital on Mathura Road, Sarita Vihar adjoining Road No. 13A and is extensively used by doctors, the staff of apollo and patients. 
 
"There are a number of schools, colleges besides a number of engineering and management institutes and also a couple of universities like Amity, Galgotia and thus a huge number of students from Sarita Vihar and Jasola and also some adjoining areas study there and who have to travel early in morning via this Road No. 13 A to reach their respective educational institutions," the petitioner said in the plea. 
 
Besides, there are many people of this area who are employed in these institutions as teaching staff, added the plea. 
 
The petitioner has also sought a direction to take all necessary and appropriate actions to restore all kinds of vehicular movement on Road No: 13 A connecting Sarita Vihar, Jasola to Noida via Kalindi Kunj, New Delhi forthwith. 
 
Protests are going on across the country against and in support of CAA which grants <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/my-statement-was-misconstrued-government-welcomes-all-investments-piyush-goyal-on-amazon-remark-274873">citizenship</a> to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

The Delhi High Court has asked police to look into the matter of blockage of Kalindi Kunj road due to the protest at Shaheen Bagh and consider the representation of the petitioner and his plight related to those students who have to travel to schools and also have the board examinations.

The Delhi High Court has asked police to look into the matter of blockage of Kalindi Kunj road due to the protest at Shaheen Bagh and consider the representation of the petitioner and his plight related to those students who have to travel to schools and also have the board examinations. Justice Navin Chawla has directed the Delhi Police to consider the representation of the Federation of Sarita Vihar Resident's welfare association. The association has moved the court claiming that there are many students who are facing difficulties during board examinations as the Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh has been closed since December 15, due to ongoing protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA). In a petition filed through advocate Amresh Mathur, the petitioner told the court that the Board exams for Class 10 and 12 are fast approaching in February and March and pre-board exams are set to take place shortly. Southeast Delhi DCP, Chinmoy Biswal on ongoing protests in Shaheen Bagh against #CAA: We want that locals of Shaheen Bagh follow the High Court orders. Our priority is to maintain law&order. But everyone in this protest is a common citizen so we don't want to take strict action. https://t.co/o7LOofEg3N pic.twitter.com/FlsVIHaz0o — ANI (@ANI) January 18, 2020 × "The closure of Road No. 13 A and massive jams on Mathura Road will prevent the students from reaching their schools on time which will jeopardize their careers," the plea said. "That this vital arterial road No.13 A which connects Mathura Road near Apollo Hospital, Sarita Vihar/Jasola to NOIDA (UP) through Kalindi Kunj caters to lakhs of commuters every day to and from Noida to south parts of Delhi and Faridabad/Gurugram and is almost a lifeline of the people of these areas. This arterial road No. 13 A is also being used by thousands of people from Faridabad/Gurugram and beyond to go to Noida, Greater Noida and beyond," added the plea. It claimed that there is a multi-specialty Hospital namely Apollo Hospital on Mathura Road, Sarita Vihar adjoining Road No. 13A and is extensively used by doctors, the staff of apollo and patients. "There are a number of schools, colleges besides a number of engineering and management institutes and also a couple of universities like Amity, Galgotia and thus a huge number of students from Sarita Vihar and Jasola and also some adjoining areas study there and who have to travel early in morning via this Road No. 13 A to reach their respective educational institutions," the petitioner said in the plea. Besides, there are many people of this area who are employed in these institutions as teaching staff, added the plea. The petitioner has also sought a direction to take all necessary and appropriate actions to restore all kinds of vehicular movement on Road No: 13 A connecting Sarita Vihar, Jasola to Noida via Kalindi Kunj, New Delhi forthwith. Protests are going on across the country against and in support of CAA which grants citizenship to Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Parsis, Buddhists and Christians fleeing religious persecution from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and who came to India on or before December 31, 2014.

Delhi HC directs police to look into Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh blockage causing difficulty for students