'निसार मैं तेरी गलियों के ऐ वतन, कि जहां
चली है रस्म कि कोई न सर उठा के चले'
'Iconic poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz had realized in his life time how dangerous it was for a revolutionary to raise his voices. Now almost more than three decades after his death (Nov 20,1984), the writings of this great poet are being seen through communal spects by saffron people. Faculty members and some students of IIT-Kanpur have filed a complaint against a student for reciting Faiz poem, claiming it provoked "anti-Hindu" sentiments. Faiz's poem "Hum Dekhenge" was recited by the institute's students on December 17 as part of a solidarity march with Jamia students.
And that was the catch. The protest was in solidarity with Jamia students for protesting against Citizenship Act. So it became eye sore for the saffronists. They found an excuse in IIT-Kanpur students' Dec 17 protest.
'Iconic poet Faiz Ahmed Faiz had realized in his life time how dangerous it was for a revolutionary to raise his voices. Now almost more than three decades after his death (Nov 20,1984), the writings of this great poet are being seen through communal spects by saffron people. Faculty members and some students of IIT-Kanpur have filed a complaint against a student for reciting Faiz poem, claiming it provoked "anti-Hindu" sentiments. Faiz's poem "Hum Dekhenge" wuas recited by the institute's students on December 17 as part of a solidarity march with Jamia students. Pak dictator dreaded the poem and now Indian fundamentalists appear so.
It is interesting that fundamentalists, all kinds of, don't like this poem," says Javed Akhtar, the noted writer, lyricist. Only very brazen, would accuse Faiz's writings of being even distantly communal. But for saffron colored anything associated with revolution is anathema, anti Hindu and as such anti-national.
Faiz, is recognized the world over as one of the most brilliant revolutionary poets of the sub-continent with a following cutting across communities and countries. His writings have been translated into several languages. He was a nominee for the Literature's Nobel Prize. He was imprisoned by Pak govt in 1951 on charges of sedition and jailed for four years. After Communist Party was banned in Pakistan, Faiz was again arrested in 1958 for "spreading communist ideas." Subsequently he was forced to leave Pakistan for several years. After he returned to Pakistan, he was constantly harassed. But Faiz never gave up his commitment to socialism and this reflected his writings throughout his life.
The slogans of "inquilab zindabad" of "hum dekhenge"chanted decades ago in Lahore found its resonance AT IIT campus in Kanpur. The struggle for justice has many shades and colors. Faiz provided words to retain their relevance and it will be the war cry at the beginning of every protest meeting...'hum dekhenge'. Despite being communist, Faiz was nor a Its never anti-religion.
However the question arises as to why the work of a poet so hated by the Pakistani ll rulers should face an equal hostility in a premier institution like IIT in India. The answer lies in the present situation wherein wide protests against Citizenship Law and and large spontaneous participation by young people have shaken the ruling regime. So saffron people find answer , as is their wont, in communalizing the protests, to make it a Hindu-Muslim issue. In the process even Faiz is not spared.