Mumbai Protest March and Cultural evening- 14th May 2009
After a very long time, Mumbai witnessed a meeting where people stood for two hours to support a person they had never seen, who was not even a Mumbaikar. The meeting on May 14 to protest Dr Binayak Sen’s two-year-long imprisonment under the Chhattisgarh Special Public Security Act was part of a nation-wide, and even international protest. For Mumbai it was a unique and significant event because of two factors: the participation of diverse groups and activists, from Far Left to Gandhians; and more important, the enthusiastic presence of many many youngsters, who came not as part of any party diktat, but as individuals who have been moved by Dr Binayak Sen’s story.
The event was preceded by an hour long march by the activists donning T-shirts with messages demanding release of Dr. Sen with black tapes over their mouths and displaying placards and banners. The marchers distributed flyers on the way to inquisitive and empathetic passers-by.
The format of the meeting too was unique – it was more a cultural protest, with song and poetry. There were just three speeches, two of them very brief, by Dr Sen’s brother Dipankar, and filmmaker Anand PAtwardhan. Dipankar who lives in Belgium but is down here for the Supreme Court hearing on Binayak Sen’s bail petition, spoke of how he advised his brother to come away to Belgium rather than stay on in Chhattisgarh, after reports of his imminent arrest appeared in the papers in 2007. Dr Binayak’s reply was characteristic of the man: “My patients travel two days to come to me for treatment; I cannot forsake them.” So he surrendered to the police, confident that he would soon be out. It’s two years now.
Anand Patwardhan spoke of the trial proceedings that he had witnessed last month, where Dr Sen spoke out about his heart condition. The judge got angry, but the next day, ordered a medical examination. Perhaps the pressure built up by the presence of outsiders at the trial helped, said Anand.
Only Dr Amar Jesani, well-known medical activist, spoke at length, about the irony of a doctor who chooses to serve the poor rather than pursue lucrative career languishing in jail, but doctors for whom medicine is just a business, getting honours.
The cultural programme began with songs by two young students of famous singer Neela Bhagwat. Neela herself performed solo a while later. They sang Kabir, and songs of communal harmony. And enthralled the audience. The programme also saw songs by Suhas Ahuja and the Republican Panther Troupe.
And there was a string of Hindi and Marathi poets, full of revolutionary fire and satire. All were greeted with highly appreciative applause.
The event was closed with the performance by the redoubtable folk singer Sambhaji Bhagat and his troupe presenting a profoundly stirring, and yet thoroughly entertaining, musical narration.
It was a memorable and inspiring evening; only marred by the constant thought that the man in whose honour it had been held, was ill and suffering in jail, uncertain whether he would be allowed the medical treatment he needed.
Report by Jyoti Punwani
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