March 1: Day 1 of my fast, day 371 of our chain.

March 1, 2020 was the last day of my first fast. March 1, 2021 turned into the first day of my 9th time fasting in our chain.

And the struggle for democratic values, equal human rights, freedom and shared prosperity against fascist forces doesn’t seem to have abated one bit.

Am I tired? Yes.

Am I disheartened? A bit, every now and then.

But do we give up now? No.

We won’t go gentle into that good night. We’ll rage, rage against the dying of the light.

#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah

March 2: Day 2 of my fast, day 372 of our chain.

The heritage of any people is determined, not by the absence of problems, but by their ability to surmount those problems through concerted, well thought-out efforts that maximize benefits and minimize destruction through compassion and a firm grasp of reality. A natural grasp of reality that would be aided by the freedom to pursue fearless inquiry of the world we live in, and to share our findings with others without the fear of reprisal. But right-wing ideologues the world over evade the real work of heritage-building through problem-solving, and replace it with ad hoc genetic theories of inborn greatness. The freedom of thought and expression are replaced by a boycott on “negative thoughts,” as if wishing away criticism would make everything perfect. While those who truly solve problems would always favor humility, realism and perseverance, right-wing philosophies always revolve around pride in one’s birth, and greatness by majoritarian consensus instead of compelling evidence. There occurs a constant reinforcement through propaganda of one’s own chosenness, invariably, over “a despised other”. Fascists subsist on maintaining a fever pitch of their “superior yet endangered” heritage, the central argument to support their right to flourish and the others’ need to perish. Like an auto-immune disease, they attack and degrade their true heritage in the guise of protecting it from outsiders. Relentlessly. Single-mindedly. Till nothing worthwhile is left to salvage.

#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah

March 3: Day 3 of my fast, day 373 of our chain.

One of the most striking realizations that emerged from our Zoom meeting last weekend was that a large number of migrant workers who had suffered indescribable losses because of the callousness of the state had already moved on from that episode. Wiped their memories clean of it. Where was their trauma? Their outrage? Their thirst for justice? They had been robbed of their livelihoods, their basic needs of food and shelter. They had been subjected to terrifying beatings and other forms of inhuman punishment by border police. In the worst cases, they had lost not only their whole lives’ belongings but also their loved ones on the long walk back home. For a virus that had been flown in by NRIs and rich Indian travelers from their foreign trips.

When so much has been taken away from a person, how does one find the energy to rebel? How does one fight for justice when everyday the fight for survival already feels like a losing battle? How do so many Indians with infinitely better means prefer turning a blind eye to this misery than to finding innovative means to alleviate such suffering? How can Ambani want to build the world’s largest zoo in Jamnagar without even an afterthought for this sea of humanity?

I am ashamed of the extreme poverty of India showcased by the likes of Ambani and Adani. After all, what bottomless poverty must it be that robs them of the ability to spare a thought for anyone but themselves?

#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah

March 4: Day 4 of my fast, day 374 of our chain.

For many, it is baffling to know that the extremely impoverished keep voting for the BJP in spite of its consistently anti-poor policies. What keeps them voting against their own interests? Voting is probably the one act that gives them the freedom to choose!

I don’t know the true answer, but I’ll hazard a few questions: Have our extremely poor masses even figured out that the government harmed them? Living on the margins of civil society for generations, they might not even know what it means not to be harmed, to be cared for, to be treated with dignity and respect. By voting for the BJP, they at least get to have the momentary satisfaction of being on the winning side… as tragic as it may be in the long run.

In this context, it is also important to remember that the BJP’s political messaging is purely populistic – it is designed to hit easy emotional registers so that it can readily seduce anyone who isn’t discerning enough or isn’t directly targeted (Muslims). Comparing political parties to kitchens, the BJP only dishes out addictive hallucinogens with no regard for its lack of nutritional content, when other political parties are busy trying to perfect a balanced healthy diet that pleases the largest number of tastes. Needless to say, the former is a lot easier to sell than the latter, especially in a country as diverse as India.

To the astute, such behavior betrays a complete lack of integrity. It is easy to see that the BJP does not possess even a modicum of a wish to serve the people, but to the vast majority, the opium is too strong to resist. Especially when it offers a respite from a reality that is made increasingly unbearable to face with all one’s senses intact. The narcotics-dealer knows this, and makes every sneaky effort to make things increasingly unbearable. Their survival depends on it. Our BJP is that drugs dealer.

#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah

March 5: Day 5 of my fast, day 375 of our chain.

When I fast for 5 days at a stretch, I miss food so much that my mind becomes acutely sensitive to the pleasures of various flavors, colors and textures that I hardly notice otherwise. This heightened sensitivity has made me appreciate food like never before, turning me into a mindful eater and a better cook than ever. Will being starved of democracy during our years under Modi have a similar effect on India, ultimately heightening our overall appreciation of it in the longer run? Inoculating us forever against the scourge of fascist ideologies? Letting us finally shine with our true heritage of inclusive, sustainable progress?

We will have to collectively bend the arc of time to tell that story. Everything else will be a capitulation to evil. Something a country of 1.3 billion people can ill-afford to accept.

#ChainFastingForPeace #FastingAgainstFascism #ResignAmitShah