Jinhe Naaz Hai....

I was just humming to the tune of Rabbi Shergill’s song "Bilqis". Like most of his previous songs (remember Bulla?), it takes a keen ear to comprehend the lyrics and when I would hear Bilqis, the only lines I could understand clearly are:

Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par, Who Kahan The

Just a while ago, I heard this song, yet again and somehow, got totally haunted by it. That’s because I only realized it now that this is not a song per se but an account of sorts, to pay tribute to four heroes of our country! Isn’t it a remarkable concept to narrate injustice in a way that it actually hits us? And while Rabbi is popular with his Sufi songs, this one goes to a different a level altogether. In a melodious yet inspiring note, Rabbi sings out emotions of four of our unsung heroes in the quest for what they truly believed in (and died for).

Mera Naam Bilqis Yakub Rasul
Mujhse Hui Bas Ek Hi Bhul
Ki Jab Dhundte The Vo Ram Ko
To Main Kharhi Thi Raah Mein
Pehle Ek Ne Puchha Na Mujhe Kuch Pata Tha
Duje Ko Bhi Mera Yehi Javab Tha
Itno Ne Puchha Ki Mera Abb Saval Hai Ki
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kaha hain,

Muslim woman from Gujarat, five-months pregnant and mother to a three-year-old son, Bilqis Yakoob Rasool is one of the victims (and how!) of the Godhra massacre of February 2002. Fourteen members of her family were killed during this attack. Bilqis reported it all to police, but the case was closed in January 2003. The police said that those responsible could not be found. In spite of the risks in taking the unusual step of speaking out, Bilqis continued to pursue justice for herself and her family. You can read the complete series at Zammrs The case was closed due to lack of strong evidence but has reopened for further investigation and is still ongoing.

Mera Naam Shriman Satyendra Dubey
Jo Kehna Thha Vo Keh Chukey
Ab Parhey Hain Rah Mein
Dil Mein Liye Ik Goli
Bas Itna Kasur Ki Hamne Likha Thha
Vo Sach Jo Har Kisi Ki Zuban Thha
Par Sach Yahan Ho Jatey Hain Zahriley
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan The Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Satyendra Kumar Dubey was assassinated in November 2003 in Bihar due to his fight against corruption in the Golden Quadrilateral Highway Construction. A Foundation has been created in his name to fight corruption in India.

Mujhe Kehte Hain Anna Manjunath
Maine Dekhi Bhatakti Ek Laash
Zamir Ki Beech Sarhak Lakhimpur Kherhi
Adarsh Phasan Jahan Naaron Mein
Aur Chor Bhare Darbaaron Mein
Vahan Maut Akhlaq Ki Hai Ik Khabar Baasi
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Shanmughan Manjunath, an employee at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) was murdered for closing down two petrol stations in Lakhimpur Kheri for selling contaminated fuel. This issue stirred an uprising among students at various Institutes including IIM and IIT and has led to setting up of the Manjunath Shanmugam Trust to fight this case as well as focus on governance in the public sector in India.

Maza Nau Aahe Navleen Kumar
Unnees June Unnees Bar
Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Unnees Baar
Looto Dehaat Kholo Bazaar
Nallasopara Aur Virar
Chheeno Zameen Hamse Hamein
Bhejo Pataal
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain

Navleen Kumar was stabbed 19 times to death on June 19, 2002 as a response to her activist work for the land rights of tribals in Nalasopara, suburb in the outskirts of Mumbai. Her fight was mainly against various builders who had seized land of the tribals through fraud and terror.

Now, as I write this blog, it raises a question in my mind, “Am I proud of my country?” The answer to that is evident in who I am today, and what my country is , defines me in more ways than one.
I hope you are able to answer this question,
Jinhe Naaz Hai Hind Par Vo Kahan Hain Jinhe Naaz Hai Vo Kahan Hain................