Chandramouli Basu, a documentary filmmaker, feels that no dissenting voice in the country is safe today. So when he got to know about a protest as part of the #NotInMyName campaign at Leisure Valley in Sector 29 here on Sunday through social media recently, he decided to be a part of it.
“There seems to be no freedom of any kind. While hatred and diversionary communication is being spread through social media, there is no discussion on the real issues. We cannot be mute spectators to all of this,” said Mr. Basu, a Sector 31 resident.
Raking up the issue of murder of journalist Gauri Lankesh, Mr. Basu said the insensitive comments following the gruesome act were even more “shocking”.
Though people from all walks of life turned up for the protest, reasons for their participation differed. Sarika, an ENT surgeon, said she had come to raise her voice against the brutal murder of a boy inside the school premises.
“How can someone carry a knife inside the school and slit the throat of a seven-year-old? To let a child die like this is collective failure of society,” said Dr. Sarika, adding that it was no longer safe to criticise the government and that her parents were worried about her safety as she wrote blogs.
“It is a mockery of democracy at every level,” she said, betraying the overriding sentiment of the crowd.
‘Footfall immaterial’
DLF Phase-III resident Rajender Arora, who claimed to be associated with the campaign since its inception, said the number of people turning up for the event was immaterial, and a message was sent across even if a few people come out and express themselves. “We never had such an atmosphere earlier. You cannot sing, cannot write, cannot speak freely... why? I have come here to reclaim my freedom of expression and my city,” said Mr. Arora.
Several people carried placards and banners that read: “Stop Violence In The Name of Religion, Language and Caste” and “Say No To Hatred”. Many others, who attended the event, were attracted by the performance by various artistes, including a dance by Navtej Johar, music performance by Chaar Yaar and stand-up satire by Sanjay Rajoura. The event earlier slated for August 27 had to be rescheduled in view of violence following the verdict against Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Documentary filmmaker Saba Dewan, one of the driving forces behind the campaign, said Gurugram had a special role to play in the campaign being a part of larger region of Mewat, which was known for its mixed culture and practices. She said, “People being killed for speaking their minds, and for religious identities is an attack on the Constitution.”
