Hokkolorob (Halla Bol): Mumbai Chapter. ( Visit link for more details )
Yes. This is the name of a spontaneous movement that has sprawled up in various parts of the world and a group of like minded students of my college have decided to expand the horizons of this movement by launching it in Mumbai.
What is this movement about?
On the 17th of September, 2014 a reputed university in Kolkata, India, The Jadavpur University witnessed something unprecedented. ( Welcome to the official website of Jadavpur University. ). A few weeks ago while celebrating a cultural festival, a girl in the campus was molested by the seniors of the college and the male friend accompanying her was severely beaten up. All this because both of them were found loitering around in the dark near the Boys Hostel of the University. The students of the college then lodged a complaint with the Vice Chancellor of the University who promised immediate action. Several weeks passed by and yet, no 'action' was initiated by the VC.
In response, the students of the college started a mass protest using songs, slogans and innovative posters to voice their discontent. And then, 17th September, 2014, at 2 in the morning, police personnel entered the college premises along with what appeared as people dressed in civil wear and assaulted the students. What is shocking to note here that there were no lady policemen in the contingent that entered the campus and yet women were groped, gagged and had their clothes torn.
Nearly 30 students were severely injured and 3 more were admitted to a hospital in a serious condition. In response to this, the movement entitled HOK KOLOROB, roughly translating to raising one's voice in English was initiated by the students of the University with the support of students from other universities of the college and a peaceful protest march including 1,10,000 students from across the city was organized. The movement soon spread to Delhi, Pune, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madras, etc and even students from around the globe in Germany, Southern France, NYC and Bangladesh lent their support. The following enlists all the details of the movements happening around the world- Facebook. For those still in darkness about the implication of the HOK KOLOROB movement, read- Scroll.in - News. Politics. Culture.
Why are we launching such a movement?
Because this isn't about students of the Jadavpur University anymore, this is now about our right to raise our voice against state sponsored terrorism and our expectation from the state to be treated as human beings.
Because we have a conscience which will not allow us to remain silent and observe such injustice being meted out. Maybe our movement won't muster up enough support, maybe people won't pitch in and understand how deeply we feel about what is happening. But even if one of us shows up, we will walk until we are not able to anymore and we will speak until our voice becomes hoarse and cracks up.
Because this is about accosting people who sit by and let such things happen. Be it the VC or the State who have termed this incident as a 'small one', they need to go and we won't relent until they do.
And more importantly, because we are humans. And as human beings, it hurts us to see ourselves being treated as savages. We have been entitled to certain fundamental rights as citizens of the state and when those rights are snatched away from us, we will not remain silent. If singing songs and putting up posters are construed to be violent means of protests, then by all means beat the crap out of us put us behind bars. But remember, the music shall flow and so shall our words.
What we ask of you.
To stand in solidarity with the students of JU and the humans around the world. Come to Mumbai on the 1st of October if you can and tell your friends in the city and join us in this endeavor of ours. As conscientious beings who have been deprived of exercising their basic rights, this is the least that we can do. We shall be marching in silence from Churchgate to Gateway of India from 2:30 in the afternoon. Everyone willing to attend is requested to come wearing black and preferably have a white arm band or a white rose with them. The congregation shall disperse by 5 in the evening. Please be on time.
Hok Kolorob.