Continued from page 01 FOUR states u2014 Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal and Rajasthan u2014 have passed resolutions against the Act so far.
The lane, called Morland Road, is decked out with carpets, mats, anti- CAA posters and artwork. While young women keep up the chants of u2018 Azaadiu2019 and u2018 Halla Bolu2019, older women sit on plastic chairs and wooden benches at one side, and senior men occupy another part of the lane. Many come to drop off their family members. A lone police van stands guard at the entrance of the lane. A CCTV camera has been installed outside the Arabia hotel nearby. Above it is a piece of cardboard with the words u2018 Welcome to Mumbai Baghu2019. u201c Our main demand is that the MVA bring out an official notification stating that they will not implement the CAA in Maharashtra. If they bring out the resolution tomorrow, we will vacate the place immediately.
But till that happens, we will be at the forefront of the fight," said a 61- year- old woman on Sunday.
She explained how they have no option but to bring the kids as the mothers are at the protest. u201c It is not by choice that we want our kids to see all of this. Itu2019s just that we donu2019t have an option.u201d Kazi Munira, 45, a Madanpura resident, said: u201c I have all my papers, I am not worried.
My father has his birth certificate from 1945. But why should I show any of these to prove my citizenship? And to those who have weaponised democracy and hijacked the country? If Modi and Shah want to see my papers, then they will have to come and sit with me and ask me for them. Either they will leave the country or I will. This is a fight for our existence.u201d Teens take the lead The protesters at Mumbai Bagh never let the enthusiasm flag and unlike other protests where designated people address the crowd, here, many, including teenagers, sloganeer and take the lead.
Teenage girls and young women, who were not a part of the organising team, were seen maintaining the momentum.
From u2018 Inquilab Zindabadu2019 to u2018 Hum kaagaz nahin dikhayengeu2019, many recited original poems and slogans. Children drew posters that later find a place on the walls. Ayesha Athania, 15, was composing a poem with her friends. u201c We have been watching the news on Shaheen Bagh and the Jamia shooting. We are trying to spread awareness through our poems. This protest is not just for Muslim women, but for everyone,u201d she said.
Volunteers were seen educating about how the CAANRC- NPR are discriminatory.
Shams Zohra, 43, a professor, was present with her four children. u201c I come from a family of freedom fighters. My grandfather went to prison during the freedom struggle.
It is our duty to fight for our rights and secure the future of our children,u201d she said.
Lawyer Swati Singh spent the day telling people about the ways to oppose the Act.
u201c There is a need for better understanding of the act and the options for legal recourse,u201d she said.
' Focus on accessibilityu2019 While the protesters gather on the laneu2019s left side, its right side has a footpath. A group of men manage the crowd and request bystanders to move ahead. u201c We all have the same message, the women are the ones doing the talking,u201d Haji Dawood Noormohammed Angloria said.
Police warning u201c A handful of women have been staging a sit- in at Nagpada since January 26 night but did not seek permission.
They have blocked the road and traffic. The lane where these hijab- clad women are protesting has been barricaded on both ends. Police officers, including those in plainclothes, have been deployed there,u201d zonal deputy commissioner of police Abhinash Kumar said. u201c As the protesters have blocked traffic, causing inconvenience to others, strict action will be taken against them. They are liable to be punished under relevant sections of the IPC and Bombay Police Act,u201d Kumar added.
A woman protester seen at Mumbai Bagh on Friday Children draw posters at Mumbai Bagh The Mumbai Bagh sign seen at Morland Road. PICS/ ASHISH RAJE u2018 This is a fight for our existence, our kidsu2019 Women, young and old, bring focus on how if they donu2019t step up now and fulfil their duty, it will be the future generations that will suffer later u2018 We watch news on Shaheen Bagh, the Jamia shooting. We are trying to spread awareness through our poems. This protest is not just for Muslim women, but for everyoneu2019 Ayesha Athania, 15- year- old student
