RSS calls road blockade 'anti-Islamic'; asks Shaheen Bagh protestors to 'accept CAA'

Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader Indresh Kumar called road blocking near protest side Shaheen Bagh as an "anti-Islamic act." RSS leader was commenting on Supreme Court's order to mediate with demonstrators at Shaheen Bagh protesting against contentious citizenship law (CAA), proposed National Register of Citizens (NRC) and National Population Register (NPR). 

"To cause inconvenience to people by blocking ir way is anti-Islamic and anti-Rasool. This is a sin and a crime. People should refrain from it. Blocking road is akin to say that Islam is violent and is a perpetrator of violence. That Islam is extremist and a way to perpetrate torture," said Kumar while speaking to ANI.  RSS functionary heaped praises for BJP government for exhibiting 'humanity' despite two-month blockade. "Look at government. It is so humane that despite two months of block, it has t taken any action. Shaheen Bagh too should show some humanity as Islam does t advocate giving pain to anyone," he said. 

Kumar furr stated that protestors should agree to implementation of CAA, law that grants citizenship to n-Muslim mirities from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  "I have gone to Jamia, JNU and or places. y are fearful of NRC. So, y should say that y are for implementation of CAA and discussion should take place on NRC," he said.

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RSS leader maintained that everyone has a right to speak but causing inconvenience to ors is "incorrect". "People of Shaheen Bagh have understood one thing in so many days that CAA and NRC are two different things. CAA is to give respectful living to those who were persecuted. To protest against CAA is to support persecution of mirities in countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. So, country feels CAA should be implemented," he said. 

Earlier on Friday, Uttar Pradesh Police reopened ida-Faridabad road after 69 days of shutting down due to ongoing Shaheen Bagh protests. But visuals show that barricades are still present at site while allowing vehicular traffic. Police have particularly reopened stretch from ida's Mahamaya flyover to Delhi and Faridabad. While all roads close to area have been closed by UP Police due to continued protests, Kalindi Kunj-Shaheen Bagh stretch has predominantly been in focus due to large-scale garing. Shaheen Bagh protests began on December 14 where thousands of people, including women and children camped on streets protesting CAA-NRC-NPR.

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Shaheen Bagh mediation

A delegation of Shaheen Bagh women protestors on Saturday, set seven conditions to Supreme Court-appointed interlocutor Sadhana Ramachandran, as per sources. Sources state that Ramachandran who arrived at site alone met only with women protestors in morning and refused to talk to media. Moreover, interlocutor advocate Sanjay Hegde will allegedly visit site in evening to continue fourth day of mediation talks.

Shaheen Bagh sets conditions (as per sources):

• If half of road is opened, provide security to protestors by providing an aluminum sheet between protests and road
• Revoke all cases against Jamia students
• NPR in Delhi
• Investigation on all inflammatory speeches
• Create an alternate protest site in Shaheen Bagh itself
• Revoke all cases against youngsters who were booked for Shaheen Bagh protests
• Cognizance of deaths due to anti-CAA protests throughout India

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(With ANI inputs)