On Sunday, the #NotInMyName campaign set out to claim a new record across Delhi. Several ‘cultural events’, as Bilal Zaidi, one of the organisers calls it, were organised across Delhi, at around 100 venues, aiming to reach every nook and corner this time, and to touch the hearts of people from all backgrounds.
Various artistes came together to protest against hatred. Ovais Ansari, one of the speakers, pointed out, “Why should we come together only when someone is murdered? It has become routine now and that’s alarming enough for communities to get together and share with each other on evenings like these.”
The protest opened with, “I love my nation, we all do, but I won’t accept this hatred in its name.”
Mr. Zaidi, who organised the protest at Jamia Nagar, said, “My life’s experiences have shaped my thoughts. The political situations I have come across have played a huge role in my presence here today.”
Various performances
The event was successful in its endeavour as it brought the protest to the streets.
The evening was filled with various performances such as satirical dastangoi , heart-wrenching poetry and monologues.
Sonam Kalra, one of the artistes, said, “I’ve lived through the 1984 riots. I have seen it all. I don’t have anything to say to the government. I only have a message for the people. If people stay together, governments can come and go as they please but they can’t harm the brotherhood of the people.”
Stating that just spreading the message of tolerance was not enough, Ms. Kalra said that learning acceptance was more important.
The event was stopped twice — once for the Maghrib azan (call for prayer) and then for the aarti at a temple, evoking respect from those in the audience.
Umar Khalid present
Activist Umar Khalid of Jawaharlal Nehru University was also present as one of the speakers. He said, “Campus gau-rakshaks lost the JNU Students’ Union elections today [on Sunday]. Similarly, we must drive out these forces from the nation as well.”
The event closed with Maya Rao’s performance — a monologue on communal distress among people and gender-based differences.
A group of Zakir Hussain college students came on stage and requested the audience to support Rohingya refugees. A Rohingya refugee, Mohd. Salimullah, was invited to speak about the hardships faced by the community.
“Okhla is not used to seeing community protests like these. Getting it to Okhla and on its streets is the foremost success of the campaign,” a participant said.
