At Shaheen Bagh, women vote for peace, safety

Lining up outside the polling booth at Shaheen Bagh, a stone’s throw from the spot where protests — spearheaded by women — against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) broke out over four years ago, several voters spoke about what they would want from the new government.

On Saturday, in line to vote after showing her ID to security personnel at a barricade 100 metres from the polling booth, Kohinoor, a housewife, said, “Everyone has the right to live how they want, wear what they want but over the past few years, you have seen new citizenship rules, a ban on hijab…This time, we want change in governance. We want someone who treats everyone the same.”

A first-time voter, Neha, 21, who had come to vote with her mother at the polling centre in Abu Fazal Enclave, said she was voting for peace and harmony. “My school had students from different faiths and backgrounds… Politicians just want to spread hate for their benefit,” she said.

For her mother, Nargis, however, these issues are secondary.

“I have to manage all expenses…Power, water and transportation are some of the major issues for me…” she said.

For several residents, women’s safety was a crucial issue. “I don’t feel safe in the evening hours when I return from college… We need more CCTV cameras, police patrolling,” said Yasmin, 22.