
‘Won’t back off until CAA is withdrawn’: Mumbai women launch Shaheen Bagh-like protest
A group of Muslim women, including household helps and students, in Mumbai have started an indefinite protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA, drawing inspiration from the agitation in New Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh.
Those who have gathered on a road in Madanpura said that they won’t leave until the central government withdraws the contentious act. The group, which has around 60-70 people, started gathering on the road on Sunday evening.
“The government is just doing what it feels like. They have detained Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad when he was protesting against the act. The women in Uttar Pradesh are not being allowed to protest, this is completely unconstitutional,” Fatima Khan, a law student who is leading the protesters, said.
Watch: Shaheen Bagh like protest against CAA, NRC in Mumbai
“We are just following the call to have a Shaheen Bagh in each and every city of the country. We won’t budge until the act is withdrawn and the Supreme Court gives the right order,” Khan said.
At least 500 protesters, mostly women, have been protesting in Shaheen Bagh against the citizenship act and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) for the last 40 days. They have said they will call off the agitation only when the amended act is withdrawn.
Khan added that their other demands include a clear stance from the state government rejecting the act, NRC and National Population Register (NPR).
“We are reaching out to more people through social media and asking women to join the protest,” she said.
The women protesters could be seen holding placards with slogans like “We stand against CAA, NRC, NPR”, “They tried to divide us” and “Respect My Existence or Expect My Resistance” written on them. They also shouted slogans hailing Hindu-Muslim unity and brotherhood.
Rosina Aslam Ansari, who works as a house help, said she hasn’t gone for work so that she could take part in the protest.
“What is happening here will affect us as we do not have documents in place. We are left with no option but to join the protest. The person I work for gave me a leave to be a part of the protest, saying she would join me too,” said Ansari.
The amended citizenship act, will allow the government to make illegal migrants, Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians, from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, who entered India on or before December 31, 2014, eligible for Indian citizenship.

Assembly Election 2021 full schedule: When, where and how to watch

Indian coast guard rescue 81 Rohingya refugees adrift at sea, 8 dead
- The Indian government was in discussions with Bangladesh to agree for the safe return of the vessel, which was found drifting in international waters.

Day after govt's social media rules, Twitter says, 'Many people don't trust us'

Local self-government symbol of democracy, development, says Lok Sabha speaker

Woman beaten to death by son's friend, 20, for resisting molestation: Cops

Govt has a clear vision for India’s financial sector’: PM Modi
- The Prime Minister praised the role played by fintech in making financial services accessible during the pandemic last year and predicted that the sector “is likely to grow to ₹6 lakh crore”.

India plans 2-day halt in vaccinations for Co-Win upgrade to widen campaign

DGCA allows airlines to offer concessions in fares to passengers with no baggage

Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad arrives in Jammu on 3-day visit

Congress MLAs allegedly manhandle Himachal Pradesh Governor after Assembly

'BJP, Congress 'perturbed and scared' after AAP's poll win: Kejriwal in Gujarat

‘Need to stand up for MSMEs...people expect govt to bat for them’: Jaishankar

SC refuses contempt plea, says tigress Avni killed in accordance with court order

In Jaishankar’s 75-minute phone call to China’s Wang Yi, one message stands out
- India China row: Jaishankar presented his diagnosis of the hurdles to the normal resumption of bilateral ties in his conversation with Wang Yi, and the steps needed to turn back the clock.

News updates from HT: PM says India's health ecosystem being praised worldwide
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.