June 24: Day 1 of my fast, day 121 of our chain:
Unbelievable that the chain has been going on for so long now. People may wonder: Why? Similar to the fatigue that sets in with COVID isolation, one is tempted to let the guards down and just let it go. However, the risk can be high, minds get numbed when seeing human misery all the time. Let’s never normalize it. Shout-out to Suniti Sanghavi for shepherding us along, let’s keep this fight going.
#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah
June 25: Day 2 of my fast, day 122 of our chain:
Progression to Facism is often silent and slow, slipping below the radar of most people. A key ingredient is a lack of empathy within the majority of the population, something I can clearly see in India. Why is Mein Kampf sold almost everywhere? What do people see? It shocked me more than 10 years ago already but the rising blind patriotism and Hindutva puts it into a different light now. There is an insecure yearning for national pride. There is no good way out of this but through consistent protests and resistance.
https://www.netflix.com/title/80138915 nicely shows how a small group of fanatics can take over a country little by little, exploiting fear and hate. The only thing that keeps me hopeful is the truism „whatever you say about India, the opposite is also true“. There are so many intelligent, talented and compassionate people, I hope they will win and the country will put humanism above short term capital gains or a false sense of renewed pride again.
#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah
June 26: Day 3 of my fast, day 123 of our chain:
Even though this fast isn’t easy, I find it easier than Ramadan fasting (when I joined Suniti Sanghavi for a single day). Not being able to drink at all as well made it much harder. The spiritual meaning can’t be more meaningful though. Fasting now is not only a protest but also creates compassion for those in need and who suffer most of their life. My fast will end in 2 days and just knowing this makes it much easier. Others don’t have this privilege and for those we protest.
#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah
June 27: Day 4 of my fast, day 124 of our chain:
Encouraged by discussions at home and my potential insight into my home country’s (Germany) history, some more thoughts about the insanity of persistent admiration about Hitler’s Germany (particularly in India). Commonalities are the yearning for “strong leadership”, not unlike in the US now and Brazil. Also, the myth of uniting the masses towards a common goal, thereby making the nation stronger.
The truth is that this kind of strength is always short-lived as it just tries to put a band-aid on more complex issues. This path is a dangerous one if combined with hatred and scapegoating of minorities, as the Holocaust shows. One has to see and be aware the risk of the path ahead, even if some consider it exaggerated.
To me, the exceptionalism of India is how it has always absorbed different cultures into vibrant communities. India has been a melting pot long before other nations. The exceptionalism of the US is similar, a beacon of hope for other people as beautifully illustrated by the Statue of Liberty. Both are in danger of losing their exceptionalism by giving in to divisive rhetoric, small-minded goals and confusing hard-line politics with strength.
Hoping and fasting for a way out of this mess…
#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah
June 28: Day 5 of my fast, day 125 of our chain:
My fast is almost coming to an end but the protest is as alive as ever.
Interested in more background or do you want to participate? Please check out https://www.facebook.com/Chain-Fasting-for-Peace-102884841456723/
#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah
Chain Fasting For Peace 