Over 3,000 people have been protesting in Delhi’s Shaheen Bagh every day against the Citizenship Amendment Act. Not all of them are adults — there’s a handful of children too. 

As their parents protest, the children sit for hours in a vibrant corner of the protest site, making artwork expressing their discontent with the “unfair” citizenship law. 

A parent who left one of her daughters in the kids’ corner told Newslaundry: “It is high time that the kids get involved in this because it is their future that is at risk. We are fighting for their future, their existence. And they are happily participating in this cause.”

Saba, a Class 3 student from Jamia Nagar, has been sitting here since the morning, making posters. “We have come here to draw and ask for azaadi.” Azaadi from what? “From Hindutva,” she replies.

Momina, 6, holds up a placard that reads “Kaala kanoon wapis lo”. She says, “I have been seeing my parents come here everyday. I asked them if I can join. They explained the National Register of Citizens to me and said yes.”

She adds, “The NRC is scary. Who is a citizen and who is not isn’t for any government to decide.”

Afreen Alam, 8, says, “We want freedom from CAA and NRC. The prime minister is asking us for proof of our existence, but does he have any proof of his?”