Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Through poetry & music Dalit activist Bant Singh continues his fight for justice
The fire in his belly and the warmth of his voice warmed many hearts,as the Lohri fire burnt bright and warmed the cold winter evening,at a gathering organised by The Sunday Indian,a multi-lingual magazine. Bant Singh,a Dalit poet,singer and activist is no stranger to the city. Singhs minor daughter was raped by men from the higher caste in 2000,whom he dared to take to court. The trial culminated in life sentences for three of the culprits in 2004,but with this trial Bant Singh had taken on more than just those who harmed his daughter. In 2006,a bunch of men from the higher caste assaulted Singh with iron rods and he was left for dead,and missing an arm and a leg in the attack. Bant Singh today works as an activist fighting for the rights of Dalit farmers in his village. He also sings songs of protest,fighting for the rights of oppressed Dalit farmers. They thought,like many others before me,they could shut me up with their money and power. My daughters courage was exemplary. She said that I not only had to stand by her,but also fight with her and we lodged an FIR,with her standing tall and strong with me at the police stations and courts,right till the end, Bant recalls,with quiet dignity.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
