A midnight ‘tryst’ with the protest

These days, all roads lead to Ramlila Maidan. Even at night. At a time when the police was expecting the crowd to abate, the energetic protesters surprised everyone by turning up at the Ramlila Maidan on Friday night.

These days, all roads lead to Ramlila Maidan. Even at night. At a time when the police was expecting the crowd to abate, the energetic protesters surprised everyone by turning up at the Ramlila Maidan on Friday night.

HT Image

However, a majority of them had come for a night walk and all of them could be seen taking photographs.

“We have been watching all this on TV and wanted to have a feel of it. Since we were busy the whole day, we’ve come at night. After having dinner we have come here and will stay for an hour,” said Sandesh Sinha, a resident of Amar colony who had come with his wife. Police said around 3,000-4,000 people came in the night.

“It was more like a picnic for them. People came with their children or other relatives to show them the protest site. It was more like a post-dinner family outing,” said a police officer.

Though the stage was empty after 10pm and there were no loudspeakers, groups of people were seen shouting slogans and singing song.

“Though there is no space to sleep we have decided not to sleep. We don’t know each other but still we are sitting and having a discussion on corruption. All of us have come from different parts of the country but the feelings are the same,” Ritesh, a 23-year-old boy from Rajasthan, said.

“It is a burning issue and we all need to come forward for it. I couldn’t come in the afternoon because of my busy schedule but have come now. I will stay here till I can and will come again in the morning,” said Naveen Kumar, a businessman who lives in Civil Lines area of north Delhi.