India gate
At the
heart of the capital India gate is always buzzing with crowds and energy. Candle
light vigils and protest sit-ins are common occurrences at India Gate but it
came most into the limelight when thousands of youngsters poured in post
Nirbhaya case causing huge traffic jams. A better venue couldn’t be found as such
women are also martyrs to our war within – a war for women’s rights and
dignity.
Of late the
inner sanctum sanctorum has been closed to public but we have other venues.
Jantar
Mantar Street
Originally
built as an astronomical observatory, today Jantar Mantar serves as an
observatory to different sorts of things. From Anti corruption supporters to
Yamuna Bachao Andolan to December 16 Kranti etc. etc. all marches tend to end
there.
(.. and
recently Baba Asaram’s supporters march… ahhm)
Though on a
normal day the street has a large number of sleepy looking stalls devoted to
smaller causes - usually there is a tent with some posters and pictures and one
or two attendants sleeping next to it. There are equally sleepy looking police
checkpoints and some street food eateries alongside.
Parliament
Street
As is the
mood of the moment in Delhi and India right now, this street has been the
hotspot during women’s rights marches and protests in response to the rising
crime.
INA Market
A venue for
smaller gatherings and causes, INA market again witnesses a lot of activism.
And the
latest..
Malls – yes
believe it or not.
From
Gurgaon mall street to Saket Select Citywalk, malls have become the new place. They
have the added advantage of audience but the one who is in a party mood – so somehow
the causes don’t touch them at that time.
All these
protests and marches are no doubt a symbol that our democracy is alive but having
taken part in a few of these marches, I always come back home wondering what difference
will these make.
What do you think?
(oops this was supposed to be in the lighter vein..hmm, not so light I guess)
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