Farmers Movement Archive

Message loud & clear: Check volume to respect the dead

NEW DELHI: Blaring music from speakers mounted over a tractor is a usual sight at Singhu border. However, a group of people from Nawanshahr in Punjab believes that people should stop playing music loudly to honour the sacrifice of those farmers who have passed away recently. With posters stuck over a tractor trolley, these 10 people from Punjab say that the fight is long. "One must understand that we have to respect the farmers who have died while fighting for all of us. Playing such loud music while the people are speaking on the stage is disrespectful," said Jitendra Singh. The group members have made a blue trolley, which has an 'eagle' resting on top of a wooden pole, home. Over their temporary home are three posters that have been put up in Punjabi. The first one reads: "Everyday farmers are being martyred in this fight. We can't understand why songs are being played loudly, what is the happiness for ?" "It's the kites, which change their direction when the wind blows but to an eagle, it doesn't matter in which direction the wind is blowing," reads the second poster. Jaskaran Singh, who also hails from Nawanshahr, said: "We are not against people playing music but when we are losing our people then what is the point of this. We don't force anyone but quietly stand on the sides. Some people lower down the volume at times while some continue. We don't force anyone to do it. This is what we feel and we have written it out for people to understand our sentiment." Singh further claimed that "around 30 farmers have so far died while fighting against the new farm laws."

The Times of India

2021-01-03

Delhi