Raichur Shaheen Bagh dharna set to enter 50th day

RAICHUR: The resolve of women taking part in the anti-citizenship protest at Raichur’ Shaheen Bagh, which will enter 50th day on March 15, shot up with thousands of supporters cutting across communities turning up at Mahatma Gandhi stadium to mark the International Women’s Day.
The Anti-CAA, NPR and NRC sit-in dharna led by women was launched on the eve of Republic Day. With determination reinforced, there is no turning back for these women.The dharna will continue until government withdraws CAA that is discriminatory towards people of certain faiths, they say.
Striking a balance between household chores and social cause, nearly 600 - 700 women have been participating in the sit-in since the day of its launch at Tipu Sultan Garden near deputy commissioner’s office.
Salma Khanum, a convener of the indefinite sit-in, said: “Women are hitting the streets to protest anti-people policies of the government. This is a new wave of women uprising that will save the country from the clutches of the fascist regime. It was only a few in the beginning and now we are nearly 700.”
“Karnataka is a land of warrior women who have fought against oppressive rulers. Kittur Rani Chennamma and Belvadi Mallamma, who fought against British colonialism, inspire us to continue with our protest,” she added.
Speaking to TOI, another convener Naiyyad Tayaba said the protest is in tune with Gandhi’ model of non-violence. “The women march through city once a week and spread awareness on Constitution. We conduct constitutional readings and poem recitation. Songs of Dalit uprising are sung too as many from the community take part in the protest. Children also stage cultural programmes. For us, Tipu Garden has become a new home. The permission for dharna is till 9:30pm and so the women return home in the night and comeback next morning,” she said.
The indefinite sit-in is backed by Raichur-based Citizens Forum for Constitutional Rights. The forum was formed by many like-minded left, democratic, women and Dalit organisations.