To the 'ignorant' ones

To the 'ignorant' ones,

We've probably never met before. For the past 4 years, I for once have not been following the protests you all have organised, the marches you've been to and the bold write ups that have been taken down several times before. I was too comfortable sitting in a shell that I didn't realise there's a whole world I'm not paying attention to and I apologise. But I've been reading, watching, and occasionally, experiencing what you all must have felt once. Indeed, I've been in the category of the ignorant ones recently. How you ask? Well, you definitely know it better than me, I just happened to realise the terminology recently.

I'm seriously bad at understanding politics. Following it, handling it, or even realising it, in this context, at the national level. I'm labelled as a bhakt when I appreciate the government, and as an ignorant citizen when I happen to blame it. I'll admit I've started enjoying it. It becomes better when you're around a mix of people who either hate the government so bad that they'll fail to realise the good, or are devotees of the same to an extent that they'll go around calling the critics as anti-nationals. Funny stuff. Damn I missed out on some amusing content all the years I was away from social platforms. Anyway. I've seen people blaming free electricity in Delhi for the spread of coronavirus, and calling the democracy a failure when their preferred party wasn't victorious. Crazy shit!

But this hasn't stopped you. I've felt proud as a citizen of a democratic country when you organised protests, whether or not I was in favor of it is a totally different question. It feels empowering when your literature speaks for your demands, and at the same time leaves a deeply strengthening effect on the young bloods who are to decide the fate of the country next. I appreciate your strict adherence to peaceful expression of speech and the non involvement in unwanted disruption.

Please don't let a temple or a mosque hinder your decisions, and please don't sit silent when what's going around in the nation doesn't concern you. We're all looking up to you, though the likes of me are being hypocritical to be honest. It's better to be ignorant in this world of the wise today, than having to justify your wit to a bunch of fools.

Thank you for not bowing down when the stakes were high, for still making us believe in the idea of raising the voice when needed. Thank you for standing up for justice even when your family, your circle, and the closest ones couldn't align with you, which is fine, they're entitled to. And thank you for willingly admitting your ignorance, when the extremists are dying to prove you wrong.

Yours,

An ignorant