Episode 11: Dissent in India - Intersections of Oppression + Human Rights
Silencing Dissent
India is a country rooted in power structures that create and maintain systems of discrimination. These structures are rooted in casteism and are further influenced by factors such gender and religion. In Episode 11 of Art of Citizenry Podcast, Manpreet Kaur Kalra is joined by fellow community organizer taranamol kaur / ਤਰਨਅਮੋਲ ਕੌਰ/ for a conversation exploring the ways in which human rights violations have historically been and continue to be used to silence dissent during the farmers protest. Together, they deconstruct the intersections of oppression that influenced the abduction of labor rights activists Nodeep Kaur and Shiv Kumar.
Trigger Warning // This episode contains details about police brutality, abuse, and sexual violence.
The Intersections of Oppression
Both Nodeep Kaur and Shiv Kumar are Dalit* labor rights activists. They were abducted by the police for speaking up against the exploitation of factory workers. Their supposed crime was fighting for a fair and equitable society in which all people are treated with respect. They demanded accountability, which is a threat in any exploitative system.
The unfortunate reality of this case is that Shiv Kumar’s intersections of oppression make him susceptible to abuse. He is Dalit, living with a disability since he is partially blind, and from an economically disadvantaged background. He needs special glasses to see and wasn’t even given access to these while he was imprisoned.
*Dalit refers to the lowest caste in India. You might hear people refer to Dalits as “untouchables.”
Human Rights Violations During the Farmers Protest
The unfortunate reality is that human rights violations are part of the fabric of India’s history. From police brutality to unlawful arrests and disappearances, genocide has become normalized. Which is why, if you are a minority, your rights are constantly under threat. As has been the case throughout history, protestors are being painted as terrorists by state-owned news outlets and are being met with government-sanctioned police brutality, tear gas, and water cannons. Citizen journalists are being unlawfully arrested and detained. The police have attempted to cut off access to food and water at protest sites to starve the protestors away. The Internet has been cut off in the area surrounding protest sites and social media is being heavily regulated to make communication amongst protestors and access to outside information more difficult. The United Nations has made it clear that cutting internet connections as a means to stifle dissent is a violation of human rights.
Image by JK Photography
A Note to Impact-Driven Brands + Organizations
The farmer’s protest is about worker rights, it’s about land rights, it’s about equity, and it’s about justice amongst so much more. If your goal as a business is to advocate for global justice and fair living wages, then standing in solidarity with India’s small farmers and farmworkers is critical because that is exactly what they are standing up for. They are advocating for themselves against a government that is built on systemic oppression rooted in exploiting those who have historically been and continue to be marginalized.
Take Action
Listen + Learn: Peeling Back the Layers of Punjab's Green Revolution // Dive deeper and listen to Episode 10 which provides an in depth analysis of the economics and history behind the farmers protest and Green Revolution in India.
Sign On: A Statement of Solidarity Championed in Collaboration with Fair World Project // If you are a brand or organization working in the intersection of social, climate, and economic justice, please consider adding your name alongside many others: https://www.artofcitizenry.com/solidarity-statement
Donate: If you would like to support those protesting in Delhi, please consider donating to KhalsaAid.org. Also, please consider donating to Sahaita Farmer Support Project which is dedicated to supporting families who have lost a loved one to farmer suicide.
Support Independent Journalism: We must demand fair reporting and support initiatives like Trolley Times, which is a grassroots project highlighting the voice of protests in Delhi right now.
Connect with Our Guest
/ ਤਰਨਅਮੋਲ ਕੌਰ/ taranamol kaur is a community organizer and design researcher at Code for America working on food access for communities marginalized by the system. Follow her on Instagram: @taranamol
Thank You
This podcast is dedicated to creating a safe space to discuss and challenge topics surrounding how we each navigate our personal advantages and disadvantages. These conversations are not easy, and involve revisiting years of generational pain and trauma.
Finally, thank you for listening! Please subscribe, download, and leave a review for Art of Citizenry Podcast — I appreciate your love and support! Also, if you want to connect, please feel free to follow me and share your thoughts with me on Instagram @manpreetkalra + @artofcitizenry.