Gandhi and Ambedkar come alive at Jantar Mantar

Gandhi and Ambedkar come alive at Jantar Mantar

The on-going students’ protests at Jantar Mantar are the burning subject throughout the country and beyond. The immediate cause of these protests is the issue of paper leaks, systemic flaws in the educational policies and establishment, and above all, the perceived indifference and high headedness of the GOI in handling the situation. The newly formed socio-political outfit, Cockroach Janta
Party (CJP) under the stewardship of Abhijeet Dipke and his associates namely Sonam Wangchuk among others are spearheading the protests for the last two months or so. Sonam Wangchuk with some students started an indefinite hunger strike to press their demands including resignation of the Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan. The political parties in the opposition are, obviously, supporting the protests to corner the government led by PM Narendra Modi as expected in the democratic procedures and norms. The things came to head on July 20, the first day of the Monsoon Session of the parliament, with the ‘Sansad Chalo’ call of the organizers of the students’ protests. In spite of the fact that the organisers of the protest professed to go about peacefully to exercise

their democratic right to register their protest and reiterate their demands, it turned violent with the alleged excessive use of force by the police and other security paraphernalia on one hand and the alleged violence by the students and some said to be anti-social elements penetrated the protests. All these details are fully available in the public domain both in the print and electronic media. There is no point in repeating or harping on this.

My motivation to write on the subject emanated from the comments and assessments made by some of the political pandits and analysts like; Ashutosh among others in the debates on TV channels and some stakeholders in the public through social media – With these protests, both Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar have come alive as

a living voice which gave their message directly – the message of
peaceful resistance of Mahatma Gandhi and that of Babasaheb Ambedkar; freedom of expression with a sense of expression of freedom as Gyansheel citizens. One of my friends who follows these developments closely telephoned to underline the relevance of Babasaheb in the days to come in streamlining the march of Bharat to its destination - Vikshit Bharat.  From the day one of the protests at Jantar Mantar, the portrait of Babasaheb Ambedkar adorns the stage and ‘Jai Bhim’ resonates in the air. Both in the august chambers and the precincts of the imposing Parliament House’ Mahatma Gandhi and Babasaheb Ambedkar are quoted both by the Government and the Opposition. Obviously it spreads to Jantar Mantar in the vicinity and elates the mood and resolve of ‘We the people of India’ on one hand and cajoles the Government to uphold the letter and spirit of the constitution in handling these issues of interest and concern with utmost sincerity and constitutional and human morality. Let us not usher ourselves to the ‘Grammar of Anarchy’ as warned by Babasaheb Ambedkar in his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. It is a matter of gratification to note that the GOI and the Protesters led by CJP are engaged in talks and dialogue to end the logjam. Sonam Wangchuk has ended his fast after assurances from the GOI. I take this opportunity to wish the on-going talks to succeed and the caravan of Bharat is not derailed – Bharat needs both Gandhi and Ambedkar; it is for sure.

Rulata Hai Tera Nazara Ae Hinduston! Mujh Ko
Ke Ibrat Khaiz Hai Tera Fasana Sub Fasanon Mein

Your spectacle makes me shed tears, O India!
Your tales are admonitory among all the tales

Tailpiece:-

Congratulations. GOI has accepted the demands of the protesters led by CJP. The agitation has been withdrawn. It has been announced at a joint press conference of GOI Ministers; JP Nadda and Jatinder Singh and CJI representatives; Gaurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka. Der Ayat Darust Ayat. Abhijeet Dipke has commented – Dunia jhukti hai; Jhukane wala Chahie.

ख़ुदी को कर बुलंद इतना कि हर तक़दीर से पहले

ख़ुदा बंदे से ख़ुद पूछे बता तेरी रज़ा क्या है