Thousands Return to Protest Site in Delhi After Security Clears Area
Braving rain, thousands of protesters regrouped at the Jantar Mantar protest site in central Delhi by Tuesday afternoon, a day after security forces cleared the area. Security personnel had demolished tents and parts of the main stage on Monday evening, but a few hundred people returned late that night.
The crowd swelled from about 200–300 early Tuesday morning to thousands by evening. Hundreds more gathered outside two entrances, waiting to enter, while queues of people moved in and out.
Protesters rebuilt the main stage and tents that had been partially or fully demolished by security personnel on Monday. Amid chants demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan and criticisms of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, volunteers distributed food, water, biscuits and medicines.
Rather than announcements from the main stage, the protest was sustained by smaller groups singing revolutionary songs, raising slogans or playing musical instruments.
Rajesh Sahu, 38, from Begusarai, Bihar, who had been at the site for three days, said he faced a lathicharge during a parliament march and again at the protest site on Monday evening. 'Around 4.30 p.m. yesterday, we left the site as there was lathicharge. Then we roamed nearby and later went to Bangla Sahib Gurdwara. There were around 100 protesters there. Later around 2 a.m., 20 of us came back and slept here,' he said while distributing biscuits. He added that people began rebuilding tents and the main stage during the night.
Pushpa Kumari, 35, a private company employee from Noida, said she had been at the site for four days. 'In the morning, there were only around 200 people and a lot of security personnel. They were threatening us to leave. We thought we wouldn't survive the lathicharge. We were scared, but didn't leave.' She said police initially blocked entry but later allowed people in as the crowd swelled.
Many first-time protesters joined despite the previous day's lathicharge and teargas. Paakhi Singh, 20, a Delhi University student, was collecting garbage with gloves. 'I have been following the movement, but this is my first time here. I saw yesterday's police action and my humanity and empathy made me come here. Police have a right to duty, but no right to hit pregnant women and students,' she said.
Shashank, 31, a professional dancer and teacher from West Delhi, also came for the first time. 'The government had too many options, and what they did was too bad. Some of my friends were hit by police yesterday. After seeing yesterday's actions, I felt I have to come here. If I don't come even after it, then when?' he asked.
Annu Ranjan, 23, and Diksha Nishad, 28, both first-timers, said Monday's police action triggered their decision despite the risk of lathicharge. 'I felt that I need to come here after seeing the videos,' one said.
