by B. R. GOWANI
Modi is an extremist Hindu nationalist and extremely pro-corporation
his plan for power was to turn India into Corporate Modirajya
he wanted to turn religious minorities into second class citizens
and wanted to hand over farmers’ fate to the corporate wolves
all this could happen only when Modi wielded absolute power
in his quest towards that goal, he has succeeded quite a lot
but among groups he has failed miserably to control and silence
are farmers who have challenged Modi’s tyrannical policies
the protesting farmers demand repeal of the 3 laws harmful to them
Modi govt assumption was: the movement will fizzle out in no time
the reality instead was: farmers’ will and protest grew stronger
the Indian government cut off internet in areas of protests
this prompted the singer Rihanna to tweet:
“Why aren’t we talking about this?”
with that tweet Rihanna attached a CNN report on protesting farmers
she got attacked directly/indirectly by Modi government and its minions
Home Minister Amit Shah, India’s 2nd most powerful person, tweeted:
“No propaganda can deter India’s unity! No propaganda can stop India to attain new heights! Propaganda can not decide India’s fate only ‘Progress’ can. India stands united and together to achieve progress.”
famous singer of yester years Lata Mangeshkar joined the chorus too
actor Akshay Kumar, now Canadian citizen but Modi toady, tweeted:
“No propaganda can deter India’s unity! No propaganda can stop India to attain new heights! Propaganda can not decide India’s fate only ‘Progress’ can. India stands united and together to achieve progress.”
many other joined in or were forced to proclaim “Indian unity”
few brave voices still exist to proclaim the fearful state of affairs in India
- one such voice was actor turned politician Shatrughan Sinha:
“This tweet business by international celebrities, we highly appreciate that. After all, our own Prime Minister has said a couple of times that we are living in a global community. It is not only an issue of India but the issue of our farmers who have been sitting for 70-75 days for their most justified demands and almost zero-degree temperatures and facing all the obstacles.”
“They have shown the new face of an andolan (protest) which is being highly appreciated all over the world. And today the world celebrities like [climate activist] Greta Thunberg or Rihanna or [US Vice President] Kamala Harris’s niece. They have shown their concern and as a citizen of the global community, I highly appreciate that.”
“What is the harm? And what has Rihanna written? She said ‘Why are we not talking about the farmers’ issue’. This is something we all must. Farmers deserve justice.”
“Our own honourable Prime Minister, had very recently, in the United States of America had asked for ‘Abki Baar Trump Sakar’ [this time Trump government]. Would you take that as an interference in the internal affairs of America? No. Raising voice against Nazi suppression of Jews in Germany is not interference either. When we talk about Tiananmen Square, China, it doesn’t mean we are interfering in China’s internal affairs. So, if they are showing their concern, love and affection, it should be highly appreciated.”
- actress Sonakshi Sinha called out Modi’s authoritarian rule:
“The voices raised are about the violation of human rights, suppressions of free internet and expression, state propaganda, hate speech and abuse of power.”
“Journalists are being harassed. Internet has been banned. Protesters are being vilified through state and media propaganda. Hate speech (desh ke gaddaro ko, goli maro sardaro ko [the traitors, the Sikhs, should be shot to death] resurfaced) is flourishing. THAT is the issue that’s taken global centre stage.”
“To re-iterate, news tonight will try to paint a picture that ‘outside forces’ are trying to meddle in the functioning of our country. Please don’t give in to that narrative. It’s human, standing up for other humans. THAT’S the narrative.”
- singer Diljit Dosanjh paid tribute to Rihanna with a song Ri Ri
- actor Susan Sarandon and webcam model Mia Khalifa supported farmers too
did Rihanna pose any danger to the ruthless rule of Modi?
to some extent –
in sense that it internationalized the issue a little more
so why did Modi people come out with such force against riri’s 6 simple words?
the answer is also very simple:
Modi is a ruler in the mold of Hitler, Mussolini, Trump
his Modus Operandi;
crush criticism instantly so no one dares to question the supreme leader
sometimes this kind of strategy backfires badly
but then dictators in a hurry to fascism have no time to check that out
Power intoxicates and blinds people
and it corrupts and … so it is said …
absolute power corrupts absolutely
power comes before a fall,
but in its wake …
many innocent lives are torn apart,
hearts and livelihoods wrenched
and life and limb are torn apart viciously
in the quest of ONE dictator’s rule
over his own trusting people
even those who voted for him …
and who endured this horrific reality …
welcome to this 21st century reality …
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com