Groundxero | 11 June, 2023

UP Police stops Sant Kabir Janmotsav celebrations in Bunkar Colony, Varanasi while PM Modi promotes ‘Mother of Democracy’ at G20 Summit

Why cannot Uttar Pradesh government tolerate the ideas of Sant Kabir?

Kabir Janmotsav Samiti has been carrying a week-long campaign ‘Tana Bana Kabir Ka’ in various Bunkar localities of Benaras from June 4-11, 2023. After reaching thousands of Bunkars across the city, today’s cultural evening had generated high energy and enthusiasm for participation.

After repeatedly approaching the UP Police Commissioner’s Office for a cultural evening at Bunkar Colony in Nati Imli since 24 May, permission for the program was withdrawn one hour before the event was to begin. We have still not received written rejection for the event. While the present regime garlands the figures of Sant Kabir, Raidas, Tukaram, Basavanna and other Bhakti-Sufi saints, today’s incident shows that it is afraid of discussing the teachings of these poets and sants of India. When various sections across the city are celebrating Kabir Jayanti, why cannot Bunkars who draw their ancestry from Kabir celebrate the same? Even the governments can celebrate his legacy but not the Bunkars.

As part of the week-long campaign, Kabir Janmotsav Samiti has organized similar cultural events in the last week in Nati Imli (4 June), Vishwajyoti Kendra in Varuna Pul (6 June), Amarpur Batlohya (7 June), Bazaar Diha (8 June), Peeli Kothi (9 June) and Bhaisasur Ghat (10 June). Kabirpanthi troupes from various states had joined us during this time. Speakers discussed how Sant Kabir came from a weaving community and drew from this experience in his poetry.

Subsidised electricity ‘flat rate’ to power looms received since 2006 was withdrawn via a circular dated 6 April 2023, lack of investment in the weaving industry, inadequate marketing mechanisms and squeeze from big corporates chains are responsible for the serious crisis of the Varanasi weaving sector. They are threatening a sector employing lakhs of residents, which sustains the economy of Benaras, and which is integral to the cultural identity of Uttar Pradesh. The traditional knowledge passed down among Bunkars over centuries has not been recognised by society or governments, nor has it been protected and developed. This has forced several weavers to migrate in search of work. These issues emerged repeatedly among Bunkars during our cultural campaign.

While the organisers had approached UP Police Commissioner multiple times since 24 May and the event posed no traffic threat to the city. Several excuses to delay approval were given but no written rejection has been received so far. UP Police reached the program spot and threats were made to local organisers after tent for the program had been erected.

We condemn the authoritarian steps taken by the UP Government in stopping a cultural program celebrating India’s radical thinkers, especially under a regime that speaks of upholding Indian knowledge traditions.

*KABIR JANMOTSAV SAMITI*

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