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By APD writer Rishika Chauhan
NEW DELHI, Jan. 14 (APD)-- According to government data the number of protest demonstrations in India’s capital, New Delhi have been the highest in 2019 compared to the last eight years.
A report published in the Hindustan Times states, “ People ranging from students and job seekers to airline professionals and even policemen, hit the streets of Delhi to air their grievances.”
“Figures from Delhi Police show 12,652 demonstrations, dharnas and protest meetings were organised in 2019, a spike of 46% from the 2018 numbers. This was the highest since 2011, the earliest year for which data was available. The previous highest number of protests (11,158) was witnessed in 2015,” it further explains.
Since last month, some significant issues that have made many groups and organizations join demonstrations is the new Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and violence against Jawaharlal Nehru University students.
CAA suggests that citizenship should be given to the non-Muslim refugees persecuted for their religion.
The intelligence wing of Delhi Police compiled the data about the number of protests.
Prakash Singh, a researcher on police reforms was quoted explaining, “If it the spike in protests, was recorded after the CAA protests, it would not have been a surprise.”
“But because the increase is before CAA demonstrations began, it means there is simmering anger among different groups that have a grouse against the establishment. It also shows that people have been emboldened to come out and protest. I see this as a healthy sign in a democracy,” he further added.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
