New Delhi: Despite advisories to avoid mass gatherings in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19, protestors at Shaheen Bagh are adamant that they will continue with their protests taking necessary health precautions. Hundreds of people were seen at Shaheen Bagh protesting against the Citizenship Amendment Act even after the Kejriwal government has banned any gathering of more than 50 people.
State government's order indicated that the ban on gatherings are also applicable at Shaheen Bagh and outside the Jamia Millia Islamia. Earlier, Delhi government directed the closure of all gymnasiums, nightclubs, theaters, weekly markets and spas in the city till March 31
Joint Commissioner Delhi Police D.C. Srivastava said: "DCP R.P. Meena and local police station in charge are informing the protesters about the deadly virus and making an appeal to them to end the protest as a preventive measure."
On being asked about action taken in this regard, Srivastava said,""As of now we are making an appeal but if they don't listen to it then we will see what should be done".
However, while addressing a press conference Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that DM and SDM have the authority to take action under the Epidemic Act.
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Medical experts and doctors have said that since Covid-19 is a respiratory disease, public gatherings and exposure to it can increase the chance of contracting it. With more social gatherings, there are higher chances that the virus will spread faster when people come in contact with the affected ones.
However, protestors at Shaheen Bagh said that they are carrying out health awareness programmes and educating the agitators to wash their hands and take precautionary measures. Discussions are going on to hold more controlled gatherings as a precaution.
The CAA provides citizenship for people belonging to non-Muslim minorities from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan who entered India before December 31, 2014. The law has been challenged in the Supreme Court for being discriminatory and a secular threat to the Constitution of India.
Inputs from IANS
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