Farmers Movement Archive

‘Dafliwala’ walks to Singhu in solidarity

Tribune News Service Singhu, December 29 The dusk has set in at the Singhu border and a group of farmers huddle around a bonfire on a chilly evening, chanting “Satnam Waheguru”. Among them is Mohammed Anwar (31) sporting a skull cap. He is a qawwali singer from Dilshaad Garden in New Delhi. But this is now he is known among protesting farmers. For them, he is the “dafliwala” who sings songs, giving out the message of brotherhood and humanity. Anwar’s family doesn’t know that he is at Singhu. “I told them I was going to Mumbai. I came here on foot, driven by the sea of humanity,” Anwar says softly as he breaks from the group to talk to us. “I swear on God, these people are not terrorists. My only request to the government of my country is that it must listen to farmers. Without them, we all will starve. They must get justice,” he says. Anwar, who sings at Nizamuuddin Auliya to earn a living, does not have money. “I had one 100 rupee note when I came here. Somehow, I lost it. Now, I am penniless.” As he speaks, two farmers hand him Rs 300, and promise him food and blankets, while Bapu Hardeep Singh from Patiala’s Bahlakha village hands him Rs 200. “Stay here as long as you want,” he assures Anwar.

The Tribune

2020-12-30