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14 Years Without, Yet With You MAA

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Sitaram Yechury (1952 – 2024): A Voice for the Voiceless, Now Silenced

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Today, India mourns the loss of one of its most resolute and fearless political leaders, Sitaram Yechury. A stalwart of the Left, a defender of democracy, and a tireless champion of social justice, Yechury’s passing leaves a void that will be felt across the political spectrum and beyond. From his early days as a student leader at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), where he served as the president of the students’ union, Yechury was known for his unwavering commitment to democratic principles and his fearless advocacy for the marginalised. In those formative years, he first made his mark on the national stage, leading protests and standing up against the authoritarian measures imposed by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi during the Emergency. As a young leader, Yechury became a symbol of resistance, a voice of reason in tumultuous times, and a powerful advocate for the rights of students and citizens alike. His revolt against Indira Gandhi's regime showcased his courage and deep-...
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Jhulelal- A Fluid Identity

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‘He whom you call Allah and my people call Krishna, are but one and the same!’... ‘ Jhulelal’ Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Lal Shahbaz Qalandar Shrine in Pakistan,  Photo Courtesy (https://www.wikiwand.com/) We are all aware of the famous song, “Lal Meri Pat.” In the song’s refrain, the line goes, “Jhule lal, Jhule lal, Mast Qalandar, Jhule lal.” The word “Jhule lal” means “swinging red,” popularly referring to the associations between Lal Shahbaz and his red cloak. However, the term equally refers to the deity Jhulelal. Jhulelal was a water deity who was said to have emerged from the Indus River in the form of a ‘palla’ fish.   When Lal Shahbaz Qalandar travelled to Sindh in the 1200s, he did not define himself as Muslim (just as Jhulelal did not call himself Hindu). Lal Shahbaz’s stories became entangled with those of Jhulelal’s. Hindus look upon him as their saint - their incarnation of the god, and Muslims look upon him as a Sufi saint. While Muslims revered Lal Shahbaz as a sa...
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