PROTEST as ART

It was an extra ordinary afternoon to see art imbued with social conscience and to hear the activists who brought us the RTI and continue to fight for the public’s right to know. They came together.

Aban Raza is an extraordinary artist who engages with the most difficult challenge—that of human beings who protest, be it farmers, be it members of a sangathan asserting the right to information, be it about Maruti workers striking or the protests against atrocities on Palestinians. Her work is showing in Delhi till December 15. She is raw talent with a big heart and the most vivid colours.

In this large wide canvas she captured the colours of Rajasthan, of the workers who are still gathering and registering that the RTI rights are being whittled down. What is a public that does not know—That is denied the right to know?

Just an instrument for propaganda.

It was for me a reminder of the past when I briefly stayed in a Rajasthan village from where emerged that dynamic movement that culminated in the RTI legislation. Aruna Roy, Nikhil Dey and Shankar Singh, thank you.

The afternoon was a reminder that you are still fighting the good fight for things that are bigger than all of us. THe RTI is being blatantly subverted and the right to hold bureaucrats and individuals accountable is being taken away.

As there are attempts to make India into a super surveillance state, all of this counts. It was an amazing conjunction of art as protest in the most amazing colours. Thank you Aban. Thank you MKSS