Mohd Aasif | Caravan Daily
NEW DELHI — The “Shaheen Bagh movement is an art”, says Rahul Ram, a satirist parody singer and member of Aisi-Taisi Democracy group, while admiring the courage, form and style of the movement led by the women of Shaheen Bagh.
Cultural evenings were organised at Shaheen Bagh from February 2 till the night before the Delhi Assembly Election every evening.
“People cannot listen to speeches all the time,”, said a members of the Iyer Project, a participating band, in the evening. The cultural event was embellished with the presence of eminent singers and bands like the Shubha Mudgal, Prateek Kuhaad, IPTA, Parcham etc on different evenings.
Artists, in the beginning, have contributed to the movement in their individual capacity. The “Hum Kagaz Nahi Dikhayenge” (We will not show our papers) poem of Varun Grover became the signature tune of the movement. Later on, “Main Inkaar Karta hun” (I refuse), “Sab Yaad Rakha Jayega” (everything will be remembered), “Jamia Ki Ladkiya” (girls of Jamia) by Amir Aziz and “Students se jo tum takraoge” (if you confront students) parody by Poojan Sahil have inspired the movements from time to time.
The initiative of the people of Shaheen Bagh has helped them to come together with the protesters on one platform.
Justifying the presence of their team, Rahul Ram said, “More than solidarity, it is our tribute to them.” The form of the protest adopted by the women has drawn the admiration of the peace-loving people. “This is a noble form of protest. They are creating history, doing what they are doing,” he added.
Sanjay Rajoura, another member of Aisi-Taisi Democracy group, defined the meaning of democracy and nation, and said, “As artists, we go against every injustice of every government. We ask questions because questions should be asked.” He added, “their questions are ours as well. Standing with each other in hard times is what makes the nation.”
Ram, who was a victim of the Emergency declared by Indira Gandhi, calls the current situation “an undeclared emergency”. He said, ”Rules are being flouted with impunity”, referring to the public safety act imposed on leaders in detention in Kashmir now.
Despite the fact that parents of many students have asked their kids to drop studies and get back to their hometown, some are still part of the movement. Ashmeet Kaur, English Honors student at Mata Sundri College, believes that her contribution will give women more power.
A poet and student who hails from Uttar Pradesh, was provoked by the atrocities done by the government in the name of law and order. As an eight -year -old boy, he had been beaten mercilessly by the police because he was part of the protest. Expecting more people to come to Shaheen Bagh, Ashmeet feels good to be part of the evening. “Rallies of Prime Minister and other political parties create more trouble for the common people than the space occupied here, he said.
A first-timer to be part of such a political gathering, Nayana Kataria, a writer and insta performer, said, “If somebody gets motivated for ten minutes because of me and If the people are sitting here for more than 50 days, I could come for ten minutes at least.”
Despite the fact that the audience in Shaheen Bagh is different from those of the colleges and other music loving people, participant members of the band find the experience “exuberant”.