Today, the only ones who actually take to the streets, that too occasionally, are political parties, whose members are willing to court arrest. For others, planning a silent demonstration (not even a morcha) outside the corner designated for such demonstrations involves taking police permission, not a pleasant exercise. There is one section though, that’s never faced a problem marching through the streets, Section 144 be damned. Ruling party supporters make up this special class of citizens. The rest of us may as well keep our heads down, choosing to see nothing, feel nothing, like the walking dead described by revolutionary poet Paash: “Sabse khatarnaak hota hai/murda shaanti se bhar jaana/…sab kuch sehan kar jaana/ghar se nikalna kaam par/aur kaam se lautkar ghar aana.’’ (The most dangerous thing is to be filled with the peace of the grave; bear everything; leave home for work and return home from work.)
Jyoti Punwani, ‘Making criminals of peaceful protesters diminishes Indian democracy’, Indian Express
