Shaheen Bagh clogged by protests, but parents and students of neighbouring schools are undeterred

January 21, 2020

Anti-CAA, NRC, and NPR protests continued for the 37th straight day on the GD Birla Marg in Shaheen Bagh. However, parents stressed their concerns to the Delhi Police about how the protests are disrupting their children’s commute to school. They have asked the police to open up some roads around the demonstrations and to allow school buses to pass through. The Delhi Police tweeted a cautionary appeal to the protesters to “clear the road and restore normal traffic”. In response, a Twitter account which seems to be operated by the protesters assured “Dear @DelhiPolice, we too have children of our own and understand parents’ worries for their children’s schooling and futures. Many of our children are still recovering from unfair injuries sustained at JMI.  Keeping schools in mind, we are allowing school vans to cross.”

Parents in and around the protests in Shaheen Bagh have mixed feelings about the effects it has on their children’s school commute and other parts of daily routines. Some parents have said that life just goes on and their kids adapted to the changing environment around them and their education. 

Firoz, the father of a student which goes to a nearby public school, ensured that “All school bus routes are running except for the one at Shaheen Bagh. The road to the protest has been blocked but there is mobility around the area.” The father has said that the only issue is their child must now go around the demonstrations, making for a long walk to school. 

Residents of Shaheen Bagh and adjacent communities suggested that the Noida road blockades put up by the Delhi Police are unnecessary as the protests only take place in a section of GD Birla Marg. They pointed out that other roads such as Kalindi Kunj can be taken to reach the same. 

Rahman, principal of Green Trees Public School, which is mere blocks away from Shaheen Bagh, said, “Though there may be problems with traffic and road blockage, the students and the parents find that it does not affect their lives. Schools and jobs will go on, and the people at Shaheen Bagh are fighting for something bigger than all of us. The parents and teachers that take part in the protests receive support and encouragement from the school.”

There are unblocked roads on either side of Jasola which allows vehicles through and though the distance to cover is more, students are willing to wake up earlier to reach on time. He stated that he spoke to his students in a school assembly and covered the current CAA and NRC situation. 

“All parents, students, and staff are supportive of Shaheen Bagh protesters and their cause. Our problems are much smaller than theirs. They will continue until CAA is removed,” he added.

Protesters we spoke to have even said it has become routine to come to protests with their children after school. A group of young children could be seen chanting well-known slogans in a narrow street near the larger protest. These children from Shaheen Public School stated that they are well aware of CAA and NRC and their parents participate in the protests regularly, which they join after school.