Author: aprosi

The fifth players who have recently entered the political arena are the 22 farmers unions which spearheaded the year-long agricultural protest symbolized by the “discipline of the states left and the Sikh fighting spirit” (India Today Dec 28, 2021). This includes the Sanyukt Samaj Morcha under the leadership of Balbir Singh Rajewal. While “transforming itself into a political group” the morcha avoided the word “party” in its “political nomenclature” instead making an “attempt to preserve the character of the movement where it stemmed off” (India Today Dec. 28, 2021).

A very interesting and sociologically significant development during the Punjab election was the sudden death of actor turned activist Deep Sidhu in a car accident. In his death he acquired cult status among the Sikhs and almost attained the glory of a ‘martyr’ for the community. In a surreal reversal of events his untimely death redeemed him before the guilty community which venerated him to the status of a ‘Yodha’ (saint soldier), who gained nothing but staked all for the sake of the community and single handedly carried forward ‘the hond di ladai’ (fight for existence). A series of tributes from artists, religious and political personalities as well as fans have been flooding the internet.

As the major factors that dominate the Punjab election this time emerge, the core arenas of concern for Punjab perennially deal with “panthic issues” as well as “the ever present issue of regional autonomy and identity” (Jodhka 2022, 20). Thus the triumvirate of “caste, religion and region” are significant “indicators” to grapple the “political realities and trends in Punjab” (Judge 2022, 62).

The Punjab consists of three prominent geographical, cultural and political regions comprising Majha between the rivers Beas and Ravi, Doaba between the Sutlej and Beas rivers and the Malwa beyond the left bank of the Sutlej River.

While political analysts are conducting surveys and opinion polls to gauge the public mood on how Punjab will vote. I will use popular culture as a medium to feel the pulse of the people. In fact, popular culture indicates a different mood, wary and circumspect about the reality of the politicians. The sampled popular songs are more skeptical, reflecting a deep cynicism and disillusionment with mainstream political parties and a general apprehension of the intent and dubious ways of the political leaders. Here Kanwar Grewal, the voice of the farmers’ protest who had warned the simple farmers about the misdeeds of the politicians, continues playing his vanguard role. In his latest song “Hoka” released February 13th, 2022 he almost laments the state of affairs and pleads to the people to vote in such a judicious way that Punjab is saved from dying. Here are some selections from October 2020 to the present.

The 2022 Punjab assembly elections are till now characterized by a sense of anticipation, uniqueness and hope. As Narayan has pointed out “Every election In India appears as a new text, asking to be read differently, but most times we end up reading them in conventional ways. Social reality and people’s aspirations are changing continuously” (Times Of India Jan. 9, 2022).

Although there is hardly any media attention on the role of ex-PM Dr. Manmohan Singh at this critical contemporary moment, he continues to provide us with exemplary lessons to follow. Firstly, as the Covid-19 crisis continues in India, Dr. Singh has been dedicated to continually making visionary administrative decisions that, unfortunately, finds no space in the ‘oppositional’ form of today’s governance.

Since November 30th, 2020, protestors from all parts of Indian society, including farmers, labourers, small business owners, professionals, and politicians, have joined the world’s largest nonviolent protest. Democratic principles are fundamental to this nonviolent protest. I applaud Indians of all colours, castes, and religious creeds for practicing something many of us leave at the altar of belief. The protest’s initial phase was socially uplifting and involved several rounds of dialogue between the Central government and the Farmers’ representatives. However, following a Tractor Rally held on January 26th, 2021, there has been an alarming atmosphere change. While protestors continue to gain support, the government has increased police presence, and violent clashes have occurred. Mobs were mobilized to attack protestors while police watched, and there have been extrajudicial arrests. Many lawyers have worked alongside the Delhi Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee for the release of many of those arrested.

he year 2020 started with the then ongoing Shaheen Bagh movement and culminated with the currently active Kisan andolan—or the farmers’ movement—and the countrywide lockdown in between due to Covid-19. Both the movements are nonviolent and unusually studded with women’s participation in large numbers. The former was scuttled by the Indian government after more than 100 days on the pretext of the lockdown and the latter is being torpedoed by infiltrating saboteurs. Luckily, the movement has survived and entered its 74th day of continuous peaceful protest on the 5th of February, 2021. All roads to Delhi are blocked by the protesters at its borders at five points. The government has deployed police and paramilitary forces in addition to heavy barricading via spiked slabs of concrete and barbed wire. Yet the farmers from all over India are flocking for the sit-in (dharna).

Recent weeks have been witness to considerable socio-political and emotional turmoil in the wake of the ongoing agitations against the introduction of the new farm laws in India. The emerging political situation has been a roller coaster ride, especially after the Jan 26, Republic day events in New Delhi. There has been sudden spike of interest regarding the farmers’ plight and agitation at an international level with celebrities, activists and politicians weighing in their support for or against the agitations. However…