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The democratic system of government assumed by most nations of the world has turned out not to be so ‘democratic’ after all. The idea of every individual having a say in the decisions and policies of the government has fallen through in its execution. With regard to India, the political idea of “democracy” which gives people the authority to choose their governing legislation has been derived from a constitution addressing issues such as freedom of assembly and speech, right to equality, justice and liberty, and endeavors to promote fraternity. However, more often than not, such principles have not been followed, leading to public reactions in the form of protests. In many cases, citizens have engaged in direct action in an attempt to bring about the desired changes themselves. In view of the recent controversy regarding the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), students from colleges and universities across the country have broken out in protest, putting up a brave front against an act which is deeply problematic on various aspects.
However, protest marches can turn violent at the slightest instigation. People joining the protest marches should therefore remember to look out for their safety, and stay prepared for the worst. Here are a few pointers for our fellow protestors to keep themselves safe:
1) Charge you cell phone fully so that you can ring that trusted friend or colleague in case of any emergency.
2) Keep an emergency contact number with you
3) Drink lots of water to stay hydrated
4) Do not keep any valuables in your bag.
5) Wear comfortable shoes and multiple layers of clothing to prevent sun stroke
6) Do not keep personal belongings in a wallet. Instead, keep it in a zippered backpack in order to avoid pickpockets.
7) Keep a first-aid kit with you. Bandages, antibacterial ointment, a nylon wrap bandage, and some basic wound-care essentials might come in handy.
8) Tie a dry bandana over your hair and another soaked with vinegar or cider vinegar. Keep the soaked bandana in a sealed plastic bag until it’s needed. If your group winds up being tear gassed, the soaked bandana can provide some relief until you can leave the area safely and calmly, without getting trampled.
9) Pack some snacks and water. An empty stomach and a dry throat never did anybody no good!
10) Be careful around police horses and dogs. Keep your distance from police dogs and police horses. Even if they are not set against protestors, they tend to be unpredictable. They have been known to kick, bite and shove.
11) Watch out for water cannons and rubber bullets. Do a quick research on how to dodge them before going out to protest.
12) Know your rights if you are arrested. Demand to know the charges on which you have been arrested. Keep calm and do not resist violently. When arrested, you should have the right to remain silent. You may simply say, ‘I am going to remain silent and would like a lawyer.’
13) Remember to stay with your group or let people know where you’re going.
14) Bring a portable phone charger
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