Guwahati-born musician Rahul Rajkhowa penned hard-hitting lyrics as he vented his anger over the Centre’s “fascist” attitude.
The 25-year-old alumnus of St Stephen’s College, which emerged from its three-decade aloof mode to protest this week, and Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), the hub of activity in recent weeks, condemned the government’s “arbitrary role” in making the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill a law without paying heed to people’s voices.
He also lashed out at police “inaction” over violence against students on university campuses through his music video that was released on major music streaming platforms and social media sites on Friday.
The 2.12-minute music video, a collage of unedited footage of anti-CAA protesters agitating on the streets of Guwahati, New Delhi and Mumbai, among other cities, across the country, has been made from the clips that Rahul received from his friends from Assam, JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia and his mother, who took part in the protests in his hometown, Guwahati.
Sudeep Sinha Sourced by the Correspondent
“You may support the CAA and university fees hike or be against them but you cannot be okay with police atrocities on campuses, on peaceful protesters. This song is a tribute to those who faced the state and police brutality during their democratic agitation. Sam Stefford was a 16-year-old musician who was shot in the mouth without warning. I just want the students and my fellow youths to know that the Centre is using students against each other to fulfil its own selfish interests. Please do not fall prey to this evil political strategy. We must stand united and beat fascism together otherwise we risk spending our remaining years in tyranny,” Rahul, who got Los Angeles-based music producers Sudeep Sinha and PBoy on board to collaborate with him on this project, told The Telegraph.
“We made this song to support and motivate people, especially students, who are on the front lines of the anti-CAA movement. This was necessary against the backdrop of today’s violent atmosphere. This is our way to challenge the hegemony. We musicians should stand for what is right through our craft. Artistes play a vital role whenever there is a socio-political or economic struggle in any part of the world. We immediately started working as Rahul came to me with the lyrics. The song was made on an urgent basis in just three days,” said the 23-year-old recording engineer who has worked with artistes like Post Malone and Ian Gott, among others.
