Protest music sweeps Punjab as singers lend voice to farmers’ stir

Neha Saini

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, December 3

The ongoing farmers’ protest against the contentious farm laws has once again validated the effectiveness of protest music as many Punjabi singers, including Diljit Dosanjh, Gurdas Mann and others, have lent their support to the protests.

Many others, including mainstream Punjabi singers like Himmat Sandhu, Jass Bajwa, R Nait, Kanwar Grewal, have already released songs that lent support to the farmers’ stir. Protest music is running parallel to the farmers’ agitation.

City-based singer-composer Gurshabad has released a song “Delhi De Bhulekhe” (Kirti Di Vaar) to show solidarity with the farmers. The four-minute song talks about the several historical victories of Sikh warriors against political oppression.

“I had gone to Delhi where the farmers have been protesting for days now. Inspired by their determination and resilience, I wrote the song in just four hours on my way back home. Music has always been a great catalyst in getting the voices of dissent heard. I wanted to make use of my music to stand up for a cause that I too believe in,” shared the young singer.

Gurshabad said more Punjabi youngsters would connect with the movement against the farm laws through music. “Even during the struggle for Independence, songs of political defiance like ‘Pagri Sambhal Jatta’ became protest anthems to connect the young blood,” he said.

With mentions of the conquest of Red Fort by Sikh warriors and their stand against political oppression, Gurshabad’s song, he says, finds relevance amid the farmers’ protest. “In the history of the Sikh community, we know that Akal Purakh di Fauj has always stood against any political injustice and oppression. The farmers’ protests are not about any agenda or vested interests, but the state has to understand that they cannot ignore their voices and opinion.”

Sharing meals with farmers and witnessing the protests during his visit, Gurshabad said, “Even at the protest site, one can see how sewa is being performed. The farmers are serving langar to everyone and are very organized with their chores while protesting as well. They are protesting aggressively but not in a violent manner. Their aggression is in their determination to fight for their rights.”

Meanwhile, the Council of Diploma Engineers’ Association, Amritsar, has also lent their support to the farmers’ agitation. “We support the farmers’ protests and instead of coming down on their dissenting farmers, the Centre should solve the matter through dialogue. The recent attempt to ransack the peaceful protests through force is condemnable,” said Ashwani Kumar, zone convener, Diploma Engineers’ Association.

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