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When faced with terrible crimes such as the lynching of those belonging to minority groups, why do we fall into a 'collective silence'? Nandita Das tells us why we need to speak, more than ever.
When faced with terrible crimes such as the lynching of those belonging to minority groups, why do we fall into a ‘collective silence’? Nandita Das tells us why we need to speak, more than ever.
First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
It is not important really who said this and when. Suffice to say, these lines have stayed with me for a long time now.
These are fractious times with increasingly raucous cacophony threatening to overpower the saner softer voices, thereby sometimes leading to deafening silence.
‘Collective silences’ – a powerful phrase isn’t it? Haven’t we all been guilty of the same sometime or the other in our lives? How culpable are we when we stand by mutely and watch the mayhem unfold?
To speak to society’s collective silences Karwan-e-Mohabbat — a Caravan of Love — was crafted as a journey of atonement, solidarity, conscience, and justice. Karwan-e-Mohabbat seeks to stand alongside the victims of hate crimes and the discriminated to alleviate their sense of foreboding and their fear of imminent violence. It also supports citizen initiatives against normalizing minority lynchings.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nhPoR27wo3Y
In a recent episode (#Tathya) by Karwan-e-Mohabbat, Nandita Das, the acclaimed actor, and award-winning director spoke about the will and the need to be more honest, free-spirited and brave. She reminded us that courage, conviction, and compassion must always go together.
I would like to add another ‘C’ to her list.
Conversations!
Freewheeling Candid Conversations!
For any vibrant and inclusive society to breathe, thrive and prosper, artists must be the fiery stimulants for individual or interpersonal interactions. Creators by their works of art must spawn frank discussions on divisive issues, vexing topics, or current thorns.
The via medium could be anything. Paintings, Music, Cinema, Drama or Opinion-pieces – any that could ensure heartfelt open exchanges.
Artists are like a soothing balm to the wounds that we inflict upon selves blinded by our preconceived notions, and the resulting churning that we undergo. The masters with their creations appeal to our finer senses and trigger a positive spark within our psyche.
Recently there was a collective uproar over cricketers Hardik Pandya’s and K L Rahul’s misogynistic utterances on a talk show. The innumerable write-ups on their abominable behaviour went viral making public aware, how distasteful the whole episode was. The swift punishment meted out to these two showed when society reacts collectively in one voice, justice can be brought where needed.
Can we do the same when our fellow citizens are made victims of hate crimes?
Anupama Jain is the author of: * ’Kings Saviours & Scoundrels -Timeless Tales from Katha Sarita Sagara’, listed as one of the best books of 2022 by @Wordsopedia. Rooted in the traditional storytelling of Indian legends, warriors, read more...
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UP Boards Topper Prachi Nigam was trolled on social media for her facial hair; our obsession with appearance is harsh on young minds.
Prachi Nigam’s photo has been doing the rounds on social media for the right reasons. Well, scratch that- I wish the above statement were true. This 15-year-old girl should ideally be revelling in her spectacular achievement of scoring a whopping 98.05% and topping her tenth-grade boards. But oddly enough, along with her marks, it’s something else that garners more attention – her facial hair.
While the trolls are driving themselves giddy by mocking this girl who hasn’t even completed her school yet, the ones who are taking her side are going one step ahead – they are sharing her photoshopped pictures, sans the facial hair, looking nothing less than a celebrity with captions saying – “Prachi Nigam, ten years later”.
Doctors have already diagnosed her with PCOD in their comments, based on photographic evidence. While we have names for people shamed for their weight – body shaming, for their skin colour- racism, for their age- age shaming, for being a female- sexism, this category of shaming where one faces criticism for their appearance has no name. With that, it also has zero shame attached to it.
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