SHAHEEN BAGH HAS become a metaphor for resistance. For those who have been protesting the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Act, Shaheen Bagh symbolises nationalism. For those who oppose the agitation, it threatens the unity of the country.
Shaheen Bagh has also become a place of political pilgrimage. Singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad, Carnatic maestro T.M. Krishna, classical vocalist Shubha Mudgal and sundry pop bands have performed before the motley crew of women protesters at Shaheen Bagh. And the performances have given a new lease of life to protest poetry. Urdu poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s 1979 protest anthem ‘Hum dekhenge (We will see)’ got a new audience in millennials, while Bollywood lyricist Varun Grover’s ‘Hum kagaz nahi dikhayenge (We will not show the documents)’ became the leading slogan of the anti-CAA agitation. Hussain Haidry’s ‘Hindustani Musalmaan’, written in 2016, has given a syncretic meaning to the Muslim identity in these polarising times.
In mainstream politics, firebrands like Kanhaiya Kumar have raised the banner of dissent. His Jan Gan Man Yatra through Bihar, which will go to the polls later this year, was attacked seven times in the past few weeks, but his rallies continue to draw crowds.
Denne historien er fra March 01, 2020-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Denne historien er fra March 01, 2020-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
