Women continued protesting at Mumbai Bagh for the 19th day on Thursday. Although the sound of their slogans is mixed with the noise of repair work nearby, women say getting out of the kitchen and home, and being on ground zero has only increased their determination and replaced the fear of authorities with defiance.

On Thursday, police personnel, though high in number, were seen lounging on chairs. The registration desk meant to keep a record of protesters lay unmanned. A lone police officer recorded the evening's proceedings on his mobile phone, while his colleagues stood on the footpath, keeping a close watch. The hardcore profiling that began a few days ago — with even a banana-seller not being spared — seemed to be down.