(Personal) THREAD.
I feel ashamed of what my name assures me as a citizen today. I did absolutely nothing to deserve immunity over another citizen. Last night, I saw my closest friend break down because of the fear and heartbreak she feels as a Muslim today. #Delhi
I feel ashamed of what my name assures me as a citizen today. I did absolutely nothing to deserve immunity over another citizen. Last night, I saw my closest friend break down because of the fear and heartbreak she feels as a Muslim today. #Delhi
She has lived in Delhi all her life, her great grandfather was a prominent freedom fighter and that means nothing today. There was a “M” next to her name on the school attendance sheet. I had to write “Hindu Brahmin” in school; I owned a privilege that she has never known.
She told me how she always had to explain being Indian strongly, just because she’s a Muslim. Her family gave this country its freedom too, you know. Today, her family has bags packed in case mobs come for them and burn their houses. This is what being a Muslim feels like. #India
I was joking about learning the Hanuman Chalisa just in case a mob came for me on the field. She told me she won’t run, or change her name, but ask them to stare her in the eye and kill her if they need to. I had tears in my eyes.
She’s tired of being shamed for her name. She didn’t choose it— just like all of us, when we were born. #India #DelhiRiots #communalviolence
I’ve been a journalist for fifteen years now. Yet, when I shared some personally verified reports of a mob (not violent yet then) in Govindpuri Sunday night and also asked journalists on ground to check if possible, so many seniors in the field didn’t believe me. #DelhiRiots
They probably didn’t believe me later, even after my former house help (a Muslim), sought refuge in a friend’s home, after her husband was attacked by a mob in Govindpuri. Her teenage daughter is scared of being raped. “Rumours,” said people. Men, especially. #Govindpuri #Delhi
This is how easy it is to dismiss others’ fears— because our name is our shield. Our privilege and immunity lets us dismiss (sometimes) genuine calls for help as rumours. These non believers sit far from the riots, never to be affected by even the nightmare of possible violence.
I feel shame— being on the other side of this conflict. But I won’t lose my best friend to this. I’m a human being first and everything else later. Let my name be my burden to shed and not my badge to flaunt. The least I can do is stand with her, even if someone comes for her.
And here’s a song, for her— from me. And for everyone who will stand up to this shameful violence against minorities in this country. Hold their hand, walk them through the fire and it won’t burn.
