City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

The beautiful Delhi instant.

[Text and pictures by Mayank Austen Soofi]

The Delhi Walla was one morning… no, it was not just any morning. It was the anniversary of the day when Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated by a Hindu fundamentalist in Delhi in 1948. So, on the morning of 30 January, The Delhi Walla was walking in Netaji Subhash Marg, near Golcha Cinema, when I saw a procession approaching towards the Dilli Gate ruin. The women and men, about a hundred in number, were carrying flags, banners and placards. They were thumping their fists into the air, and shouting slogans, like “Free Dr Binayak Sen.”

In December 2010, Dr Sen, the 59-year-old health worker and rights activist, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a lower court in Chattisgarh, the central province where the Maoists insurgents have a considerable influence. The doctor was held guilty of waging war against India. Like many citizens, I disagree with the judgment. (I’ve written on Dr Sen here.)

The procession, which had started from the Red Fort, was a mixed bunch of Delhiwallas: construction laborers, university students and rights activists. These people of my city were worked up for a just cause and were protesting through non-violence. I joined them. A few minutes later, I separated myself and watched the procession – heading to Martyr’s Park in Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg – disappear into a blur. It was a beautiful moment.

They are coming

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

Shouting for a just cause

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

The noise of the silent

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

The just banner

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

We shall make a difference

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

Together we shall fight

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

If you missed the front-side

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

Development economist Jean Drèze

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

Raghu Karnad, Time Out Delhi editor

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg

The power of One

City Moment – The Just People, Netaji Subhash Marg