Dear Friends,

A few years back Jaspreet Kaur decided that instead of working in the US, she would permanently shift to India to take care of her parents. Those friends with her might have seen her posts on Alzheimer’s care for Bibiji. A few weeks back, in the midst of the pandemic, she decided to quit her corporate job – 15 years, one company.

I consider her deeply conscious – care giving is a spiritual process – but largely apolitical towards party politics.

Her post:
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A few months ago when the Farm Bills were signed, I started educating myself on its implications as I firmly believe one needs to inform oneself before passing opinions on anything. In the process I accidentally stumbled on FB live transmission of farmers press conference. I was pleasantly surprised on how they conducted themselves and addressed media – so much composure, respect and a firm answer for every question; no dilly-dallying.
There on, I sheepishly started following the entire protest on social media as national media gave it NO attention. But somewhere in heart I kept feeling nothing will come out of this whole thing, it will meet the same fate as other protests. A thought on lines of many morbid people who have resigned to “is desh ka kuch ni hoga” (nothing will happen of this country)

Then came the news of farmers planning to march for Delhi, and Haryana CM announcing he will not let farmers go through Haryana. Worry started to grip me … this was repeat of 1982 in many ways. I was barely a toddler that time but entire childhood, adolescence went in grappling with aftermath of those incidents.

So, certainly I was not surprised by barricades or security forces and not honouring constitutional rights part. For this I didn’t even have to go back to 80s. We have too many examples in recent past that show us how state treats its civilians when they question it or ask for their rights. (We can’t even give an 83 year old man with Parkinson’s disease a sipper and straw to drink water in jail. What else can we expect from state?)

Surprised I was, about how barricading was broken! Fearlessness, human ingenuity, kindness, respect, passion all at full display. I followed the march from one barricaded post to another via news channels, social media posts whatever I could get my hands on. I cried, I laughed, I prayed… Then Haryana, Rajasthan, western UP, MP farmers, all started coming together and people continue to join.

What seemed like a protest that will die, maybe fizzle out, suddenly has become a symbol of hope for me and may be others like me who either don’t voice out their disagreement or have to face severe consequences for doing so.

It took me two days to compose myself and visit the protest site. I called Gurdeep Dhaliwal, who has come with farmers from his village, his answer was “ajo pind vaseeya” and I went!

It felt I was back home, warmth of people, the sense of humour that can make any problem trivial, that zindadili! I also noticed the protestors are keenly aware of what they are here for and the resolve to achieve that goal. While talking to someone, one of them mentioned “eh tan need which vi naare layi janda” (he shouts slogans even his sleep).

I hope, if some talks happen today they bring in good news. If not, I pray that the resolve of farmers gets stronger and mere mortals like me get courage to support them every step of the way. Last and most important prayer: this remains Peaceful.

Even if you don’t get the protest, please please don’t let anyone malign it in the name of religion or any other agenda.

Tags: Farmer Protests, Minni