SC-Appointed Interlocutors To Visit Shaheen Bagh For Second Round Of Talks Today

Advocates Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran as well as former bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah went to Shaheen Bagh on Wednesday to speak to the women and attempt to find a way out of the impasse.

New Delhi: Supreme Court appointed interlocutors Sanjay Hegde (C) and Sadhna Ramchandran (2R) interact with the protestors at the site of their ongoing agitation against CAA and NRC, at Shaheen Bagh in New Delhi, Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2020. (PTI) Photo/Ravi Choudhary)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran will visit the protesters at Shaheen Bagh, the epicentre of the anti-CAA protests, at around 3 pm on Thursday again, for the second round of talks. The two Supreme Court-appointed interlocutors on Wednesday made their first attempt to reach out to those sitting in protest against the citizenship amendment legislation for more than two months. Advocates Sanjay Hegde and Sadhana Ramachandran as well as former bureaucrat Wajahat Habibullah went to Shaheen Bagh on Wednesday to speak to the women and attempt to find a way out of the impasse. Many said they would clear the protest site only after the CAA, NRC and NPR were removed. "The Supreme Court has upheld your right to protest. But other citizens also have their rights and those should also be maintained," Ramachandran told the crowd assembled at the spot in south Delhi in large numbers. "We want to find a solution to the problem together. We will listen to everyone," she said in Hindi. Responding to the concerns raised by the women, Ramachandran said all the points will be put forward before the Supreme Court and discussed in detail. Also Read: 'Will Together Find Solution,' SC Mediators Leave Shaheen Bagh Protest Site "However, I want to say one thing. A country that has daughters like you can never face any threats," Ramachandran said, adding "liberty lies in the hearts of the people". Hegde explained in detail the Supreme Court order to the crowds. This was translated into Hindi by Ramachandran. On Monday, the Supreme Court observed that the blockade of the road at Shaheen Bagh was "troubling" and suggested the protesters go to another site where no public place would be blocked. It, however, upheld their right to protest. The apex court also asked Hegde to "play a constructive role as an interlocutor" to persuade the protesters to move to an alternative site. It said the interlocutors could seek Habibullah's assistance. Also Watch: Will Shaheen Bagh talks result in solution? | ABP Special The sit-in, which has been going on since December 16, has blocked a critical arterial road connecting Delhi and Noida, causing trouble to commuters and schoolchildren. The protesters argued that they have not blocked the whole stretch. It is Delhi Police which barricaded the whole road in the name of security. “We never asked police or any authority to block the roads for us. It is they who did it and are now blaming us for the blockade,” an elderly woman said.