“To sin by silence, when we should protest, makes cowards out of men" E.W WILCOX

 

A friend of mine from Delhi has just visited the Singh Border. She had to go through a huge police presence, had to answer a volley of questions, prove her identity, was asked if she was going to be part of the ‘Andolan’ ? There were at least three bus loads full of policemen parked there. This is an articulate daughter of an ex-army officer and not easily fazed.

The mood at the border and I quote her,” was a bit sombre and uncertain” a contrast to the enthusiasm palpably visible on her trip to the same border before the 26^th January.

We are all  a FB group of nearly 9000 members and increasing by the day. Many of us are sitting miles away across the pond but heavily invested in the cause even if on social media. …

But there are many amongst us who are still silent. I find this silence both hurtful and baffling to say the least. The ongoing Farmers  movement and the government’s apathy, mockery and utter disregard of it , including the unlawful arrests, the curtailing of free speech, the blow to the economy, be it demonetization , hounding of minorities , loss of jobs, religious and communal hatred, has brought to light a connection between a political  ideology  and  the choices people make and yes, most importantly a connection between people and humanity.

I have 452 friends on FB (there might be fewer after reading this post ) and yet only   a handful of them have expressed any thoughts /feelings let alone even acknowledge this issue.

Is it because we are raised to be “politically correct” and not discuss political ideologies?

It just not fashionable or dignifies to be articulate about political issues?

However a friend of mine (not mincing her words) has said ,” Shirking responsibility when knowing the truth makes one akin to a pigeon who chooses to close it’s eyes to deny the cat’s presence; But the cat is there , it has tasted blood.

Open your eyes it will come to you one day!!

The farmers are up against a devious, ruthless government and it’s equally Machiavelli machinery. There is hardship. It is not Mela , not a tourist attraction but a real Morcha . Historically “Andolans” and “Movements” have taken time to reach fruition. The shortest one lasted almost  9 months in 1907 led by Sardar Ajit Singh. I am not too clued up on history but there might be many of you who have more knowledge, so please correct me if I am wrong .We have been told that there is  marked increase of protestors at the Tikhri and Ghazipur borders, the protests  are spreading across the hinterland .There is bound to be fatigue both amongst protestors and supporters  but as supporters we have to keep enthusing our farmers .It is about keeping the spirt alive on the ground. ?

We have shared many videos, many clippings, many WhatsApp’s but what next?

 Many of us are sitting across the pond, away from India. We are using social media as a tool. A request once again, for those who can get on twitter, please start tweeting …The trending hash tag today is #Free Disha Ravi, so our smart phones and laptops do make a difference:-)

  Many of us away from India are still in lockdown, it is not viable  for us to be there on the ground but for many of you who are there, close to Delhi, Chandigarh, Haryana, UP , Rajasthan please try and gather support locally and visit the farmers in groups with families friends and neighbours  to show them that we care .

And like always, I like to end with a sheyer….

…Main Akela Hee Chalta Tha Janib-e-Manzil Magar…

…Log Saath Aatei Gaye Aur Karvaan Banta Gaya….

Majrooh Sultanpuri

My attempt at translation.

(I started walking alone towards my goal, but people started joining in and it soon it became a movement)

Let us make this Karvaan bigger, let us speak up!!

Jai Kisan!  Jai Hind!