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society

being made to take place
in our country. Yes, they
are being made to take
place, so that the political
rulers can strengthen and
compound their fascist
unleash on us.
With tyranny spread-
ing out, one is not too
sure who all will be de-
molished by the political
mafia, roaming around
scot free. Every single
day new alibis are getting
churned to hit and hate
and lynch the other!
Stifling is the very
atmosphere, where only
goons and goon brigades
and their political mas-
ters seem to be holding
sway. Crushing the sane
voice, crushing all forms
of dissent.
I sit worried and
to expose their lies and deceit and Today not just apprehensive for my country and for
hoodwinking! The space for dissent is the masses it houses. In this political
fast shrinking. No, social media is no human structures rot, the disparities and injustices and
substitute for public gatherings and but entire double-speak are getting just too harsh
protest meets and for those interactive and hitting. Unbearable it is getting to
sessions, where painful cries can be institutions are even survive on par, as lynch mobs are
heard in the open, loud and clear. getting ruined, gunning for the ‘other’!
Needless to add that we weren’t Perhaps, bruised sentiments lie
always so very spineless! For centuries with the political best captured in this verse of Devi
and decades our forefathers had cul- chaos holding sway, Prasad Mishra (translated from Hindi )
tivated the culture to dissent. Quoting tucked in the pages of Kavita 93 (Virgo
from– ‘India Dissents: 3,000 years of gaining ground. Like Publications)
Difference, Doubt and Argument’. Pub- Remains of me/
lished by Speaking Tiger, this volume mute spectators, we Here I was born/
dwells on the very significance that are witnessing the On this stone/
ought to be given to dissent, “Through- On a face like/
out Indian history, various individuals whole scenario My own face/
and groups have questioned, ensured I put my face and /
and debated authority — be it the Wept for days/
State or empire, religious or political Gandhi, Tagore, Ghalib, Akka Mahadevi, Here I sat holding my head/
traditions, caste hierarchies, patriarchy Lal Ded, Manto, Mahashweta Devi, And there flowed my blood/
or even the idea of god. These dissent- Jayaprakash Narayan, Amartya Sen Somewhere here/
ing voices have persisted despite all and several other enlightened men and On this part of the earth/
attempts made to silence them. They women. I was threatened to vacate the earth/
have inspired revolutions and upris- Before the mess turns messier its And here perhaps
ings, helped preserve individual dignity essential to make sure that the right In the neighbourhood of me/
and freedom, and promoted tolerance to dissent is placed up there. And also Are traceable/
and a plurality in thought and lifestyle.” not snatched away is our basic right Remains of me.
Tucked in this volume are words cum to cry halt to the ongoing tyranny and
verse cum thoughts of Buddha, Nanak, the communal divides and disasters letters@tehelka.com

Tehelka / 15 march 2019 61 www.Tehelka.com