Gandhigiri: Roses offered to cops

New Delhi: Anti-citizenship protesters on Thursday resorted to “Gandhigiri” by offering roses to security personnel at the Jantar Mantar. Extending the metaphorical olive branch to the Delhi Police personnel, they said that the police can baton-charge them as much as they want but their message is “love in return for hatred.” Some students could be seen offering roses while kneeling on the ground.

Students from different law schools were also present on the spot for providing voluntary services. Help desks were set up by volunteers while stationary was being provided to protesters to write fresh posters. Frequent announcements were also made about food packets being available at the help desk.

Some lawyers participating in the demonstration also offered legal assistance to protesters in case they were detained by the Delhi Police.

A large number of protesters, including students and activists, gathered at the Jantar Mantar against the new legislation after they were not allowed to hold demonstrations near the Red Fort and Mandi House, where prohibitory orders had been imposed.

Several posters were put up at Jantar Mantar against the new citizenship law, with some reading “Digital India with no internet,” “Janta mange rozi roti, milti hamko lathi gali” (people demand employment but get batons and abuses), “save Constitution save country.”

A young protester said: “The police can lathi-charge us as much as they want, we will still offer them roses.”