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Home » india news » Mind your business: Ex-armyman defends Gurmehar Kaur against Sehwag bullying
 

Mind your business: Ex-armyman defends Gurmehar Kaur against Sehwag bullying

Durga M Sengupta | Updated on: 28 February 2017, 0:15 IST
(Photo: Twitter/mehartweets)
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The Indian Army is constantly used as an example for ideal 'nationalism'. But by whom? @mehartweets

Last week, she was just another student at Lady Sri Ram College, Delhi University. Today, she has been painted as the enemy, an anti-national, a woman deserving of sexual attack, or, inversely, an ignorant child, a fool who said too much, a girl who deserves to be taught a lesson.

Both impulses are two aspects to the same war being waged against a 20-year-old DU student, led by the likes of well-loved celebrities like Virender Sehwag and Randeep Hooda. What makes this all very baffling is that Gurmehar Kaur is facing this vitriol for merely having spoken up.

After Kaur saw her peers being attacked by ABVP goons during a peaceful protest at Ramjas College, she took to social media to show her support. Holding up a placard that read, “I am not afraid of ABVP. I am not alone...” she stared steadfast into the camera.

Publicly calling out ABVP would've got her many trolls anyway, but Gurmehar Kaur isn't your average civilian. Daughter of a Kargil martyr, Kaur's picture and show of solidarity was flashed across media, highlighted for her father's sacrifice for the nation.

The trolls didn't waste a breath before going all guns blazing at Kaur, quickly reminding everyone she's no hero, rebuking her for being a 'traitor', shaming her for 'insulting' her father's memory.

Painting the Army saffron

What should be noted here is that barring a photo-series where she speaks for peace between India and Pakistan, which has been grossly taken out of context, Kaur didn't advertise herself as a martyr's daughter. That onus is on the media.

But now that her celebrity is well established, whether she wanted it or not, she has been inundated with rape threats, threats of physical harm, and the choicest of abuses. All for failing to align with the popular understanding of 'nationalism' in India today.

This definition leaves Kaur, a young woman who lost her father to the country while she was still a baby, less 'nationalistic' than those who threaten her with violence. Had she remained silent, remained the beautiful picture of tragedy, the same voices on social media would hold her and her family up as an example of sacrifice, and 'nationalism'.

“I stand by her. And not because she's a fauji's daughter, but because she had the courage to come out and say what she believes,” a retired senior army official tells Catch.

“It is sacrilege to question her loyalty to the nation because her father has died fighting for this country. What impression will she carry of this nation? Will she be a proud Indian?”

This brand of nationalism that aligns itself with Hindutva, with jingoistic hate for the other, hinges on the Indian Army's contribution to the country, but noticeably, it is almost never a voice from within the Army that draws these parallels.

In fact, anyone who has questioned the establishment has been countered with the same old 'Siachen pe jawan' rhetoric. Ironically, their sacrifice, the one 'nationalists' so often refer to, has been reduced to the level where it has been equated, quite literally, with pedestrian ATM queues.

And who stands to benefit by using the Army as an end all for every debate? The Army itself or the ABVP? We needn't answer that.

Speak for the jawans, not about

The retired army official we spoke to didn't wish to be named, unsurprising given the circumstances. Fighting for OROP, he is truly appalled at how the establishment uses the army's name when convenient, but forgets to grant them their due.

“[Delhi Police] beat up a jawan at India Gate on [eve of] Independence Day. An 82-year-old man, [they] tore up his medals, his shirt, while his son was serving in the same unit in Siachen,” he recounts. “Major generals and jawans sitting [at Jantar Mantar demanding OROP], for 651 days. Can you believe this?”

We ask him why senior members of the army don't stand up in a similar manner for Gurmehar Kaur and others who have suffered at the hands of 'nationalists'. “It's upto you, the media” to bring out the truth, he says, highlighting how army men who speak up are quickly ousted.

Fuming over the attacks Kaur faced from Hooda and Sehwag, the ex-serviceman says, “Just because you became an actor, a celeb, you think you can say anything? Just bloody mind your business and [stick to acting].

“Her father died for the country. What more evidence do you want for her nationalism, her family's nationalism? I wish Mr Modi would open his mouth and ask them to shut up. But he won't, because the elections are on...” he trails off.

It's fascinating how an officer who fought in wars for India doesn't think Gurmehar Kaur is any less nationalist than her father, and neither does she, as she tells her haters her father would be proud of her. But that's not a narrative that would assist right-wing trolls in showcasing the military as their ideal, as it's based on logic, and the Indian Constitution.

Freedom of speech allows, not just Kaur, but all of us to bring attention to college students being terrorised, locked up, thrashed. And trolled or not, we must employ it.

And the next time you hear someone make the 'Siachen' analogy, ask them if they've been there. Because, evidently, those who have don't constantly talk about it.

First published: 28 February 2017, 0:00 IST
 
Durga M Sengupta @the_bongrel

Feminist and culturally displaced, Durga tries her best to live up to her overpowering name. She speaks four languages, by default, and has an unhealthy love for cheesy foods. Assistant Editor at Catch, Durga hopes to bring in a focus on gender politics and the role in plays in all our interactions.