Insaaf: The Justice is a 2004 Hindi Drama film directed by Shrey Shrivastav and produced by Mohammed Fasih. The film features Dino Morea, Sanjay Suri and Namrata Shirodkar as main characters and Rajpal Yadav in a supporting role.[1]
Vishwanath Prasad is an Indian Administrative Service officer and lives in Bombay with his wife, Kunti, and a daughter, Sanaa. One night when he returns home, his wife tells him that she has been sexually assaulted and names the culprit as one Bunty. Vishwanath is angered at this outrage and speaks to a senior police officer, who initially offers all help to prosecute Bunty. But when the senior police officer finds out that Bunty is really Narendra Verma, the son of Home Minister Rameshwari, he backs off and tells Vishwanath he cannot do anything. Vishwanath then goes to the nearest police station to lodge a F.I.R. (First Information Report), however, Police Inspector Brij Bhushan refuses to write it. When the Governor refuses to meet with him, he telephones the State Chief Minister Chandramohan, who invites him to his house the very next day. The next at the Chief Minister's residence, he finds Rameshwari and Bunty also present there. Chandramohan asks Bunty to apologize, but Vishwanath is not satisfied as he wants Bunty to be criminally prosecuted. Then Bunty's goons take over and start terrorizing Vishwanath and his family. Frustrated, Vishwanath kills himself. His suicide case is turned over to the Central Bureau of Investigation and assigned to Officers Pradhan and Abhimanyu Singh. Shortly thereafter, Bunty and Rameshwari are arrested, charged and the matter is brought to court. The court dismisses the case and Bunty and his mom are set free. Subsequently, Abhimanyu's girlfriend, Reena, gets more evidence, the case is re-opened and a warrant issued for Bunty and his mom's arrest. It is here that the young and naive Abhimanyu will find how hard it is for justice to prevail especially when the suspect is the son of an influential Home Minister, and that politics does rule above everything else.[2]
Taran Adarsh of IndiaFM gave the film 1 out of 5, writing, "On the whole, INSAAF - THE JUSTICE is a complete letdown. At the box-office, it just won't work! "[3] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com wrote "The first half of Insaaf is tense, while the second is full of boring songs picturised in pretty locations. If the film's intention is to preach, it backfires. If it wishes to bring about an awakening, it fails. "[4] Manish Gajjar of BBC.com wrote that "the film lacks originality. It's yet another Bollywood film where the lead star takes the law into her hands to seek revenge. The whole film is predictable. We know what's going to happen next. In addition, the rape scene - at about five minutes - goes on way longer than necessary. A scene a fraction of the length would have provided the necessary impact."[5]
Introduction by Lakhpreet Kaur: In Punjab, India on January 7, 2023, with the name of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (Sikh Nation Justice Protest) various Sikh organizations started a protest for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentences. The issue of their release has been a central issue for Punjabis for some time but recently, political parties and organizations have highlighted the matter.
Since the 1947 Partition of Punjab, Punjabis and Sikhs have clamored for state-rights and religious rights, but have been met with resistance from the Central Indian Government. This struggle is often remembered by the activism of the 1970s and 1980s culminating in the 1984 anti-Sikh violence. During this time, many Sikhs were imprisoned. Today, despite having served their complete sentences, some are still being unlawfully held. This is the central issue of the morcha.
The success of these protests laid the foundation for Gurbaksh Singh Khalsa, a farmer and Sikh activist from Kurukshetra, to go on a 44-day hunger strike at Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali in 2013, demanding the release of other Bandi Singhs. His hunger-strike further resulted in a groundswell for demands for the release of Sikh prisoners across Punjab as many human rights organizations and Sikh activists petitioned the Indian Central Government for the cause. The government did not respond to any activism.
On the occasion of the 550th Prakash Utsav (birth anniversary) of Guru Nanak Sahib in 2019, the Punjab Government announced they would release 550 Sikh political prisoners as a good-will, humanitarian gesture towards the Sikh community. However, till date, no action has been taken. Many families and those in the community felt this was a betrayal of trust and it added to a growing sentiment of injustice.
On January 7, 2023 various Sikh organizations started a protest for the release of Sikh prisoners who have completed their sentence. The issue of their release has been a central issue for Punjabis for some time but political parties and organizations have recently highlighted the matter.
With the name of Qaumi Insaaf Morcha (Sikh Nation Justice Protest) they gathered at the historic Amb Sahib Gurdwara in Mohali, Punjabi near the Mohali-Chandigarh border. From here they marched towards Chandigarh with the intention of taking their protests to the residences and offices of government officials and administrators. However, they were stopped by the Chandigarh Police at the border.
The protestors, seeing that they had no peaceful means to march into the city, decided to stay put where they had been stopped, and a pakka morcha (sit-in/semi-permanent protest) was launched; tents were put up, community kitchens were raised, and first-aid centers were established in a bid to continue their protests indefinitely at that very site.
It has been over a month now, and the resolve of the community has only gained momentum with an even larger number of supporters from across the state flocking and joining the protests. The number of supporters appears to be growing by the day, all determined to carry on the struggle until their demands are met.
The morcha has garnered support from Nihangs, representatives of many other Sikh organizations, almost all the farm groups (irrespective of their diverse ideological moorings), many activists, and several other groups.
However, the most noteworthy group of protesters is the sizable participation of Kaurs who have been peacefully protesting, much in the same spirit that mobilized them to join the now-world-famous protests against the three central farm laws (since repealed), more than a year ago at the Delhi borders.
In the true historical traditions of the community, the Kaurs have been a major part of all these protests, refusing to be left behind. Throughout the day, they provide seva by preparing langar, and ensuring that the space is kept tidy and clean. Singhs assist them with everyday tasks like cooking, cleaning, and laundry.
According to another energetic Kaur at the protest site, Kamalpreet Kaur Khalsa, who is a teacher by profession, there are a lot of Sikh political prisoners who are languishing in various jails of the country despite having completed their prison term. Many of Sikh prisoners have been in jail for the last 24-30 years, she said. Many protestors note that sentences are typically only 14 years.
Just like at the farmers protest, women have faced many problems here also. For instance, women are struggling with sanitation, being forced to use the toilets of nearby temples, the homes of strangers, or secluded places.
In addition, a few days ago, the police used water cannons on the demonstrators during a clash between protestors and the police. In the harsh winter, this caused additional difficulties for the women.
From my conversations, it is clear that the protest for the release of Sikh political prisoners in India is an important movement that highlights the ongoing struggle for justice and equality in the country. The issue is deeply felt by the Sikh community, particularly in Punjab, and it raises important questions about human rights and democracy in India. While there have been some positive developments in recent years, the issue remains unresolved, and there is a need for continued activism and advocacy to ensure that the rights of Sikh political prisoners are protected.
Japleen Kaur is a Delhi University psychology graduate. She expresses herself as an amateur photographer, Sikh activist, and freelance writer. She is an articulate young woman, and is currently also enrolled at Alliance Francaise de Delhi, for her major in French language. A woman with liberal thinking, gifted with her pen alongside a vivid sense of imagination, she constantly endeavors to do justice to her creative oeuvre. Thorough in her work, Japleen is a bit twisted in being a quality fanatic.
The opinions expressed on Kaur Life are those of the authors of the articles and do not necessarily state or reflect the views of Kaur Life. Publication on this website should not be considered an endorsement.
Injustice inflicted upon individuals is a grievous stain on the fabric of society. It manifests in various forms, be it systemic discrimination, economic inequality, or denial of basic human rights. This injustice creates a stark divide between those who suffer and those who wield power, perpetuating cycles of disadvantage and marginalization. Such disparities hinder individuals from realizing their full potential, depriving them of opportunities to contribute meaningfully to their communities. Injustice not only robs people of their dignity but also erodes the foundations of a just and equitable society. Addressing these injustices requires a collective commitment to reforming institutions, challenging biased beliefs, and advocating for the rights and well-being of all individuals, irrespective of their background or circumstance.
Joining the "Insaaf Ki Awaaz" program against injustice is an impassioned call to make a resounding difference in our world. This initiative serves as a rallying point for individuals who believe in the power of collective action to dismantle the walls of inequality and unfairness. By uniting under this banner, we harness our collective strength to challenge the status quo and champion the rights of the marginalized and oppressed.
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