Anshuman Mohanty: “I am here because I want to be part of those who are doing something to save our country, our Constitution.”

A local elder at the barricades: “If we do not turn up for this fight now, who will? This is a battle for the security of our younger generations.”

Ghouse Mohammed (centre): “The CAA is a conspiracy to divide the people and hammer the poor with tedious and back-breaking paperwork. Who are they to ask for our papers when they don’t even want to recognise voter cards on which they won this election? My appeal to all is submit no papers, let’s see what happens.”

Aamir, who now works in Canada and is visiting, at the protest site. “It’s admirable they have stuck it out for so many days, but this is all directionless, not going anywhere unfortunately.”

A shivered schoolgirl sends her message to the government on the sidelines of the sit-in

Babu Khan (foreground): “ I don’t even know where I was born, I lived my childhood in a Haryana village and the rest of my life here. I am 78, should I now go hunting for papers to tell myself who I am? I am from here.”

The Prime Minister in the eyes of the protester.