There is something amazing happening down in the southernmost state of India now. Though I may be an outsider to this culture myself ethnically, I am awestruck by their simplicity and sentimentality. Tamilians are sentimental to a fault. It is this very benign nature that had me riled up in the past as it made them gullible to exploitation to various powers that be. But for a change my heart is warmed to seemed the potential in it to bring people together for a cause even if they will never have any benefit themselves. Most of the protesters have never seen a jallikattu let alone participate as it used to be held in very few villages in southern and central Tamilnadu alone. Millions have been sitting day in and day out and even staying night out in various parks and beaches across various cities against a rule that they believe robs them of not only their sustainable agrarian practice but cultural identity. People (including neighbouring Malayalis from Kerala who came in large number to support farmer practices here) have gathered by the power of social media and have resisted any political party's influence yet. What was merely a farmer's protest then became a student movement and is now a people's movement. While opinion on Jallikattu itself may be disparate across the country it is the method of protest that is of great interest to me. It has emerged with no central authority of power, no leader. A truly people's upsurge. I heard about kids staying in the grounds till early morning going back to the home to refresh and coming g back to sit in the grounds. Such passion and commitment to any cause is inspiring especially when they know that they will come back and have to sit under the hot sun for the rest of the day just as the previous day.
Another remarkable person in Coimbatore, left his job in the police department, because he felt he was unable to uphold his oath of protecting the people in the initial lathi charge by the police division made on students on the first day of protest. He resigned and left his uniform and came and sat with the common people on the floor along with the countless multitude while he could be comfortably sitting behind power. How many of us have the courage to give up our bread and butter for our ideals. How.may of us will give up our positions of power if we felt our sales pitch/ prescription/ marketing/ administration is against the best interests of its intended beneficiaries/customers. Ethical business practices are what make a case for a sustainable business environment in the long run.
Thousands of people gathering around, including scores of young women, not one incidence of molestation unlike the incidences that rocked Bangalore nor an incidence of violence or arson unlike the Jat protests in Gurgaon. While trains were stopped in central Tamilnadu to show protest against an assault on their culture from foreign bodies and opinion holders who have no participation in any of the hardships these people face, the youngsters have gone from coach to coach meeting passengers giving them food and water and apologizing for the inconveniences caused for those four hours. Hardly the stuff one would expect from apparently "barbarians" as reported by a particular national media channel. When I travel, I immerse myself in the local culture and interact with the local people as much as people. I believe people of cultures or races act as one across continents to situations If left without any steering from politics or opinion makers.
In the last minute there is move by certain usual celebrities, politicos to steal the limelight, and take the cause up while forwarding their own popularity, but perhaps for the first time in Tamilnadu's recent history, they do not look for a leader, they do not seek authority or celebrity endorsement, instead the youth are actively desisting it. Making it a truly people's movement. Farmers, students, women's SHGs (self help groups), IT employees, drivers; the unions are numerous but for now it is one body. A people trying to desist outside invasion into their way of life as self governance is the true hallmark of democracy; echoing the ethos of 'for the people, by the people and of the people'.
