Video Editor: Abhishek Sharma
The protest by specially-abled jobseekers in the national capital has entered the seventh day on Tuesday, 3 December. These people, who are camping outside Delhi’s Mandi House intersection, are protesting against the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) as some of their names were not included in the revised list of results despite having being shortlisted.
They have alleged that despite complaints no action has been taken yet. The Quint spent a night with the protesters to know how they are braving the harsh winter weather to get the attention of the authorities towards their demands.
“All our Divyang brothers are spending the night with just one blanket, out in the open in this cold. So, you can imagine the difficulty that we are facing,” said Deepak Kumar Yadav, a protestor from Bihar.
The protesters have been sleeping on newspapers with just one quilt keeping them warm.
“We are sleeping by wrapping ourselves in plastic so imagine the pain we are going through. When we wake up, it feels like someone poured 4-5 buckets of water. Our bodies are drenched,” said Kuril Kumar.
The protestors alleged that the government has not done enough to help them. Ranjan Yadav, who has come from Uttar Pradesh, said, “Till today we have been on the road, no one from the government has come to visit or help us.”
Most of the protesters have come from different states with a meagre amount that soon ran out. Many have resorted to begging for food.
MS Rathore, who has come from Rajasthan, said, “When we sit down with bowls (to beg), we feel humiliated. I am a graduate, who was preparing for UPSC.”
It was worse for some of the protesters who were on hunger strike. They alleged that they did not get proper treatment at the hospitals.
Deepak said, “Many people protest, but not these kind of people and in this manner. And that too in this weather, in the open air.”
“We are fighting for our rights, how can we get tired. If we can get a job then out lives will be set. This Mandi House will become a historic ground. We will kiss the ground when we leave.”Naresh Bhatia, protester from Rajasthan.
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