They say civil society is awaking. And thus proactive role of citizens against any misdeed is not a rare affair these days. Perhaps candle lit peace march is one of those celebrated protest gestures among many and I don’t know whether this apparent somber touched candle lit marches are actually some replicated version of a highly emotive scene backed up by a suitable background score of A. R. Raheman,
from the movie- Rang De Basanti .
Well, I am not trying to be skeptical about these protest marches or similar moves by the civil society, rather, I always felt bad when I heard of such moves against a cause which I too strongly support and could no take part in it, simply because of some lethargic (read laayd) habits. Then visualizing the live or delayed coverage of those events and glancing on the front or mid page of the newspaper has always made me frowned silently; while cursing myself even more silently: I should have gone!! However, I have never shown up, neither during Rizwanur Episode, nor during the Nandi gram issue!
But I have always appreciated those attempts and recently was just bewildered while listening to several people’s appeal for joining a peace march in front of Victoria Memorial through a typical late night Radio show, which is known for its RJ’s mystical voice and romantic aura.
But two repeated experience of witnessing those candle lit protest march from outside the “michil” had evaporated all respects of mine from the civil society’s protest gimmick and perhaps that’s the reason the write up starts with a dubious tone.
The first experience was to see a really long rally of school children, which caused an elaborate traffic jam in Taratala and adjoining James Long bypass, while I was also stuck inside an auto. At first I could not gauge what is happening and to see the blissful attitudes of the children, I thought they are heading for some sports event or so. The posters and unlit candles barely signified any thing and were actually coverd up by their smiling face and candid approach. Then finally I realized it’s against the Mumbai Attack……….!!
Trust me, that protest march has only evoked appalled irritation towards the whole event which perpetually hit the alleged authority. I guess many like me, who stuck in that traffic would have possessed the same thought!!
The second experience was less troublesome and more shocking as this time it was an adult group upholding banner of Pranayam guru Ravi shankar along with the posters : We stand by Mumbai; heading towards the Dhakuria Lake through Goal Park. Joyful features, with a muffled chatted voice- could easily be the bottom line to describe that Protest march!! Well, from the distance, it was an eye catcher as you won’t get to see the detailed movement of the participants but flickering beams of candle light stood well contrasted with the night’s attire. Here also, the carefree nature of the procession hardly symbolized the protest or mourning for the 26/11 Mumbai incident, rather it helped the non participant pedestrians to cross the wide juncture of Goal park, peacefully. I was no exception, when I on looked the most shocking or the most hilarious incident : A white salwar clad young lady took a sharp cut from the procession and about to leave, when she was caught by another lady screaming “ don’t u dare to leave” and the smart deviant for some reason joined the rally again with a mischievous smile!!
I really did not know how to react and the first time I praised myself for not attending those protest marches as I was never fully inspired to exhibit my protest in public. And I congratulate all those lazy types like me, who never felt motivated enough to move out to take part in this sort of Gimmick!! May be walking down a long way in a resentful manner is pretty boring, specially for school children, but I could not understand the attempt of taking part / forced to take part in a movement which’s purpose is not at all internalized and in the process perverting the purpose itself.
Well, I am sorry, if I hurt the civil society, who takes these apparent simple looked protest moves in a real serious manner, which actually I believe has significant implications, but I find no word to despise these people, who indulge themselves into the mockery of suffered Mumbaikers through their so called “Protest moves” and “candle lit marches”in a chill-pill mood…!!
from the movie- Rang De Basanti .
Well, I am not trying to be skeptical about these protest marches or similar moves by the civil society, rather, I always felt bad when I heard of such moves against a cause which I too strongly support and could no take part in it, simply because of some lethargic (read laayd) habits. Then visualizing the live or delayed coverage of those events and glancing on the front or mid page of the newspaper has always made me frowned silently; while cursing myself even more silently: I should have gone!! However, I have never shown up, neither during Rizwanur Episode, nor during the Nandi gram issue!
But I have always appreciated those attempts and recently was just bewildered while listening to several people’s appeal for joining a peace march in front of Victoria Memorial through a typical late night Radio show, which is known for its RJ’s mystical voice and romantic aura.
But two repeated experience of witnessing those candle lit protest march from outside the “michil” had evaporated all respects of mine from the civil society’s protest gimmick and perhaps that’s the reason the write up starts with a dubious tone.
The first experience was to see a really long rally of school children, which caused an elaborate traffic jam in Taratala and adjoining James Long bypass, while I was also stuck inside an auto. At first I could not gauge what is happening and to see the blissful attitudes of the children, I thought they are heading for some sports event or so. The posters and unlit candles barely signified any thing and were actually coverd up by their smiling face and candid approach. Then finally I realized it’s against the Mumbai Attack……….!!
Trust me, that protest march has only evoked appalled irritation towards the whole event which perpetually hit the alleged authority. I guess many like me, who stuck in that traffic would have possessed the same thought!!
The second experience was less troublesome and more shocking as this time it was an adult group upholding banner of Pranayam guru Ravi shankar along with the posters : We stand by Mumbai; heading towards the Dhakuria Lake through Goal Park. Joyful features, with a muffled chatted voice- could easily be the bottom line to describe that Protest march!! Well, from the distance, it was an eye catcher as you won’t get to see the detailed movement of the participants but flickering beams of candle light stood well contrasted with the night’s attire. Here also, the carefree nature of the procession hardly symbolized the protest or mourning for the 26/11 Mumbai incident, rather it helped the non participant pedestrians to cross the wide juncture of Goal park, peacefully. I was no exception, when I on looked the most shocking or the most hilarious incident : A white salwar clad young lady took a sharp cut from the procession and about to leave, when she was caught by another lady screaming “ don’t u dare to leave” and the smart deviant for some reason joined the rally again with a mischievous smile!!
I really did not know how to react and the first time I praised myself for not attending those protest marches as I was never fully inspired to exhibit my protest in public. And I congratulate all those lazy types like me, who never felt motivated enough to move out to take part in this sort of Gimmick!! May be walking down a long way in a resentful manner is pretty boring, specially for school children, but I could not understand the attempt of taking part / forced to take part in a movement which’s purpose is not at all internalized and in the process perverting the purpose itself.
Well, I am sorry, if I hurt the civil society, who takes these apparent simple looked protest moves in a real serious manner, which actually I believe has significant implications, but I find no word to despise these people, who indulge themselves into the mockery of suffered Mumbaikers through their so called “Protest moves” and “candle lit marches”in a chill-pill mood…!!
