Congress, AAP, Left & AIMIM in tug-of-war as politicians overrun Shaheen Bagh protest

One month on, women have been at forefront of sit-in protest, ever since mid-December, at Shaheen Bagh area to oppose contentious Citizenship Amended Act (CAA) and proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC). Occupying stretch of Delhi's Shaheen Bagh area, people have been protesting, undeterred by cold winters of national capital. However, w frequented by politicians across party lines, protest site at Shaheen Bagh is feared to have been converted into a political hub for leaders to propel ir party's ndas. 

With impending Delhi Assembly polls, st saw an evident hijack by political parties including--Congress, AAP, AIMIM and Left. Concerned over politicisation of Shaheen Bagh agitation, one of organisers and a student of JNU, Sharjeel Imam on January 2 anunced to withdraw movement on social media. He said, "to avoid impending violence from party goons and to avoid politicisation of st by parties." protests gaining momentum amid media cover, political parties were seen hovering around area to allegedly gain electoral brownie points. 

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Politicisation of Shaheen Bagh

Congress

On December 22, former Union Minister Salman Khurshid turned up at Shaheen Bagh and addressed protesters. Following his visit to protest site, Congress leader tweeted saying, "Amazing what true democracy looks and feels. Thanks to PM Modi for this gift of unity. Shaheen bagh true to its name of a bird flying high."

Congress MP Shahi Tharoor on Sunday joined Shaheen Bagh demonstration, and called protesting women "pride of city." Congress leader addressed demonstrators who have been on an indefinite sit-in since violence that was unleashed inside Jamia Milia Islamia University in December last month. After Shashi Tharoor, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar turned up at Shaheen Bagh on Tuesday. Congress leader, during his address, extended his gratitude to women of Shaheen Bagh who have braved all odds to sit on protest against Modi government. 

AAP

AAP's controversial leader and Okhla MLA Amanatullah Khan also addressed and represented his party at Shaheen Bagh and has been at forefront of protests. While CM Arvind Kejriwal his Deputy Manish Sisodia have never visited site, Khan's showcase of support comes with Delhi Assembly polls around corner. Previously, Amanatullah Khan was accused of allegedly delivering a provocative speech during protests against CAA and was booked by Uttar Pradesh Police in Gaziabad for inciting violence through his social media posts

AIMIM

Asaduddin Owaisi-led AIMIM's national spokesperson, Waris Pathan on Tuesday rallied against government alongside protesters at Shaheen Bagh in national capital. During his speech, AIMIM leader lambasted BJP-led government and Delhi Police under Home Ministry over violence. In his address, he said, "If ir police will use tear gas and bullets, we will use Constitution. This is fight of right versus wrong. We will have to face a lot of problems, but we will be successful."

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CPI(M)

leaders of Left party including Kanhaiya Kumar, Brinda Karat and ors have been on streets alongside protesters ever since unrest began last month. CPI(M) leaders frequently visited and addressed large garing at Shaheen Bagh. On December 24, Brinda Karat and Sehba Farooqui took Modi government to task over ir alleged "lies regarding NRC." Student leader and former JNUSU president Kanhaiya Kumar visited Shaheen Bagh on January 11 and addressed massive crowd. 

Delhi's BJP chief Maj Tiwari in a twitter video appealed to thousands of women protesting in Shaheen Bagh area to call off ir agitation. "I am making this video because I am distressed. Lakhs of people in city are facing inconvenience everyday because of protests at Shaheen Bagh. y are completing a 25-minute journey in two-three hours," actor-turned-politician said. Protests have erupted across nation against CAA, that aims to grant citizenship to 'persecuted' refugees from n-Muslim mirity communities in three neighbouring countries--Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan.