Siege at Shaheen Bagh

In a welcome initiative, the Supreme Court has appointed mediators to find a way out of the impasse created by the protest at Shaheen Bagh in Delhi. While recognising that it was the fundamental right of the people to protest, the apex court has noted that the blockade of public roads was a matter of concern and there had to be a balancing factor. The protest that began on January 14 last year against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC), has been peaceful but its prolonged nature has spelt problems, resulting in blockades and traffic diversions. Even rights are subject to public order, health and morality and the court has stressed upon the need for lines and boundaries. Shaheen Bagh is about the angst of a people to whom their future status is not clear. Protests are a given in our country but the Shaheen Bagh agitation has caught the nation’s imagination because of the message of amity, brotherhood and composite nationhood.

There have been signs of a thaw with Home Minister Amit Shah expressing regret over the statements made by ministers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified that the CAA had nothing to do with Indian Muslims and that there had been no discussions on the NRC in his government. But concerns remain. Bangladesh is worried over migrants even as Prime Minister Modi has taken up the cause of Tamils in Sri Lanka, while that country described the CAA as the internal affair of India.

The need is to be flexible and reach out to the protesters. The agitationists should recall the Gandhian method of withdrawing protests when needed. The Delhi elections are over and the government should reassure its citizens. A political problem should have a political solution. The date for next hearing in the case happens to coincide with the visit of US President Donald Trump. Convincing the protesters to lift the siege at Shaheen Bagh would help assuage concerns on this count.