As his family slowly picks up the pieces and tries to rebuild their lives, and while the fervent clamour for justice for Sarabjit and other prisoners like him in Pakistan’s jails builds up in the country, the organisers of the ongoing Swadeshi Mela have given Ranchiites a distinctive platform to pay their tributes to him.
A huge white sheet has been put up with the words ‘Maut Se Joojh Rahe Deshbhakt Sarabjit Ke liye Do Shabd...’ on it, inviting visitors to the fair to write their messages to the bereaved family, put down their thoughts on the issue or simply sign it as a sign of solidarity.
Up since April 26, it has inadvertently become a ‘must-visit’ for those thronging the fair, particularly the college students and youth. “Over 2000 people have written on the sheet so far and both its sides are chock-full of these missives,” says Milan Bose, secretary of organiser Swadeshi Jagran Manch, adding, “Most people who come here, make it a point to go see the signatures, if not write on it. The youngsters, of course, are most enthusiastic about making their feelings and thoughts on the issue known,” he adds.
Messages range from consoling and commiserating to patriotic, jingoistic and antagonistic. Some talk of avenging his death in a befitting manner, while others exhort the central government to “wake up and act before Pakistan hands us a bigger betrayal”.
Yet others reassure the family of support and prayers from Indians everywhere. Despite the mela closing on Sunday, “people are coming to write messages even now. The only difference is that initially, the messages were more in the nature of a show of solidarity and support for the family and prayers and wishes for his speedy recovery, but since Sarabjit’s death on May 1, their tone has changed to anger and condolence,” says Bose.
As for their reasons for writing their messages, “this is one way we can air our feelings on the issue, and also let the government know that such barbarism is unacceptable to any self-respecting Indian,” said Arti Baxla, a student of class 11; and her words were more or less echoed by most people this reporter spoke to.
Another oft-cited reason for this sharing of opinions was “It is our way of assuring his grieving family that we are with them in this hour of grief.
Maybe this sharing of their sorrow will help them recover sooner,” aptly stated by Tejeshwar Thakur, a retired bank official and concurred with by several others.
As for the bearer of these epistles of sympathy and outrage, Swadeshi Jagran Manch, the fair’s organiser, intends to preserve the sheet as a mark of respect to the slain farmer and, if possible, send it to his family in Bhikhiwind village in Punjab’s Taran tarn district.