Patna: Sabzibagh protests echo Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh

PATNA: The Sabzibagh locality of the city has virtually turned into national capital’s Shaheen Bagh with people from all age groups sitting on an indefinite dharna since January 12 to protest against Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). With tricolours in their hands, people can be seen raising slogans like ‘hum le ke rahenge azadi’ and ‘kagaj nahi dikhayenge’.
The protesters said their lifestyle changed since Sunday when the agitation was launched.While homemakers finish their daily chores in haste, businessmen shut their shops early to join the protest. It is mainly from the evening that the protest starts gathering momentum, though some people stay there round the clock.
Ahmad Yasmeen, a homemaker from Langar Toli locality, said, “I finish my household chores early and join the protest in the evening and stay there till 11pm.”
Ninety-year old Soghra Khatoon, who also joined the protest braving biting cold, said, “I decided to stay in India after the partition and no one can force me to leave the country,” said this nonagenarian.
Co-coordinating from the stage, 25-year-old Saujanya Upadyaya said they start the day with national anthem, which is followed by reading of the Constitution. “We talk about our freedom fighters and the importance of the Constitution. We also make it sure that the stage is not used by any politician. It is people’s protest and we all are together in our fight against the present government at the Centre,” he said.
Daniyal Alam, a final-year law student from Dehradun, who came to Patna recently on a vacation, has also joined the protest. “This is not about any community. We are the followers of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar and Bhagat Singh,” he said.
Locals also ensure that the commuters are not disturbed. “Our aim is not only to pull the crowd, but also ensure that others do not face problem. A group of young boys has been deputed at the site to manage traffic,” said Prince, a local businessman.
Former Patna mayor Afzal Imam is also a daily visitor to the protest site. “The government is formed for people, but the present government is only working to divide the country on the basis of religion while ignoring issues like unemployment and inflation. After CAA, they have come up with NPR, in which even date of birth of parents will be asked. How many people remember these figures?” Imam asked. He also hit out at CM Nitish Kumar for “neglecting” the poor who voted for his party. “Nitish has notified NPR in the state and we all know that only poor and middle class people will be harassed by this,” Imam added.