Kisan or jawan, may those whose cause is just triumph
Courtesy the fog I missed the Eastern Peripheral Expressway near Sonepat. It was only when I bumped into the makeshift camp of farmers displaying banners of No Farmer No Food that I realised it was Singhu border; till then the only border I had known of was the one with Pakistan. Until one reached a divider for a U-turn, there was no option but to tread ahead through a virtual township, comprising caravans of tractor-trolleys lined up on either side.
Initially there was the fear of getting caught in a clash between the police and agitators. But gradually I found the atmosphere to be peaceful or rather one of jubilation and gaiety. When I saw the policemen partaking of langar (community kitchen) served by farmers, my trepidation was dispelled. The Covid-19 scare, however, was there as few wore masks and social distancing was practically impossible. As we inched ahead, we were enthusiastically offered tea, pakoras and kheer; our wearing masks and sanitising hands became a source of amusement for bystanders.
Tents pitched up in rows could pass off for an army camp with places earmarked for bathing and laundry. The langars provided a variety of cuisines open to everybody, including the poor and downtrodden not involved in the protest. Doctors attended to patients providing free medicines and laboratory facility. Local vendors and hawkers made good business, encashing on the size of the crowd. Kisan (farmer) flags fluttered alongside Indian flags atop tents, vehicles and stalls with posters carrying slogans, memes and graffiti.
The revolutionary Punjabi and Haryanvi songs played from loudspeakers were enough to enhance adrenaline levels. ‘Pagri sambhal Jatta’, was the undeniable theme of the occasion. The Nihang Singhs trotting on their horses in medieval attire with Chardi kalaan spirit was worth capturing in cameras even as their countenances made many uncomfortable.
Witnessing the multitude, exhilaration, logistical build-up and a virtual organisation of sorts, my military mind had its intuitive apprehension; I hope there’s a leader competent enough to channelise this energy in the right direction? What if some miscreants hijacked this force?
My fears manifested on Republic Day when a non-Tricolour was unfurled at the Red Fort followed by violence that was deplorable to say the least. Social media went berserk with one group giving it a communal colour, while the other calling it a conspiracy to derail the agitation. Arguments and counter arguments created a wedge between old friends with a new genre of nationalists taking over the stage. In this backdrop, the debate on whether the new farm laws would benefit the farmers or not took a backseat.
The vagabond township that I visited inadvertently would be vacated someday, whether wilfully or by force is a matter of conjecture. Circumstances have taken such a turn that the kisan (farmer) has been pitched against the jawan (soldier), some even questioning patriotic credentials of the former. Nothing can be more painful given that the kisan not only provides the nation with food but also with jawans. As I pray for a peaceful resolution of this imbroglio, I rest my faith in a quotation from the Quran: “Nasr Min Allah Fateh-un-Qareeb (The Almighty grants victory to those whose cause is just)”.
WITNESSING THE EXHILARATION AND BUILD-UP, MY MILITARY MIND HAD ITS INTUITIVE APPREHENSION; I HOPE THERE’S A LEADER COMPETENT ENOUGH TO CHANNELISE THIS ENERGY IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION?