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Indian Express
01-08-2025
- General
- Indian Express
‘If Idgah was the doorway, Do Bailon Ki Katha was the mirror': Remembering Premchand
On what would have been Munshi Premchand's 145th birthday, I find myself returning to a story that reshaped how I saw the world. If Idgah was the doorway into Premchand's world, Do Bailon Ki Katha was the mirror he held up to society. Hamid may have taught us love and sacrifice, but it was Heera and Moti, the two oxen in this short story, who stirred something deeper in me when I was all of 13. We often read stories with human protagonists, but this was different. It was not a tale of arrogant kings, powerful Gods, or even ordinary men. It was a story of two humble bullocks. Voiceless and speechless, these animals of burden, tirelessly toil in fields, yet Premchand lends them vivid personalities. I still remember reading that first page and feeling strangely emotional. The story has stayed with me. Heera and Moti dearly loved their master, Jhuri, and shared a remarkable camaraderie. Both were self-respecting, brave, and benevolent. Their owner treated them with affection. One day, however, they were sent to Jhuri's in-laws' house, where they were mistreated and forced to plough fields beyond their strength. Once free-spirited, they soon found themselves bound in suffering. Unable to bear the injustice, they revolted. They broke free, caused chaos, and ultimately ran away, only to be separated. Eventually, they were auctioned off to a butcher. Miraculously, they escaped from the slaughter house and made their way back to their rightful owner. The narrative that follows is layered with humour, sorrow, and empathy. The two are reunited, but not before we see the world through their wounds. What strikes me most, even today, is not only the animal friendship but how Premchand exposes human hypocrisy. The two oxen behave more honourably than the men around them. They do not speak, yet their protest is louder than any slogan. They refuse to become machines of greed. They walk away. And in that act lies the story of every worker, every underpaid laborer, every being resisting cruelty. It was the first story that made me question authority. Why should endurance be expected simply because someone is silent? Why should loyalty be a license for exploitation? Heera and Moti were not just bullocks. They were symbols. Their pain was real, and so was their choice to escape it. For a ninth-grade student, this story offered the first glimpse of quiet rebellion. In this seemingly simple tale, Premchand opens with a metaphor, of a donkey, often mocked and rarely understood. For him, the donkey represents tolerance. Regardless of what life offers, joy or sorrow, it remains unmoved, like a monk. In a world where emotions often scream louder than actions, Premchand praises the virtue of composure. Unfortunately, humans mistake this stillness for stupidity. Perhaps it is because we lack what the donkey possesses: patience and grace. Similarly, Heera and Moti were not mere animals in a field. They were friends, brothers, comrades. The story begins with them licking and nudging each other: small gestures of affection that speak to a bond stronger than any chain. Whether feeding from the same trough or pulling the same plough, they carried one another's burdens. Even during hardship, they never abandoned each other. Their trial arrives in the form of a violent bull. But this is not just a fight between animals. It is a metaphor for how all beings—human or otherwise—must stand together in moments of crisis. Heera fights to protect Moti, even when escape is possible. Later, when the wall of the slaughterhouse collapses and freedom is near, Moti does not run alone. He waits for Heera, who refuses to leave. Whether it is sharing food or enduring beatings, the bullocks consistently place each other first. That is not merely friendship. That is solidarity. Few human friendships reflect such depth of devotion. In those scenes, Premchand shows us that courage is not always about confrontation. Sometimes, it is about choosing to stay. Premchand does not stop at exploring the bond between animals. He extends it to the relationship between humans and animals. When Heera and Moti return to Jhuri after fleeing from their new owner, Gaya, he is deeply moved. His wife may see them as mere beasts, but for Jhuri, they are part of his family. For Heera and Moti, love outweighs comfort. Premchand reminds us that animals feel. They crave affection. They mourn. They remember kindness. 'Azadi sabko chahiye.' Freedom, Premchand insists, is not limited to humans. Heera and Moti flee not from impulse but from instinct. They recognise oppression. They seek dignity. Whether it is the British colonizing India or a cruel master exploiting animals, bondage must be challenged. And when the moment comes, it must be escaped. Freedom, Premchand suggests, is always worth the struggle. The symbolism in the story is subtle, but once perceived, it cannot be forgotten. Written during colonial rule, Do Bailon Ki Katha is not only about two bullocks. It is about India itself. Premchand channels national resistance through their rebellion. Just as Heera and Moti resist cruelty, so too were India's oppressed rising against imperialism. The story does not raise slogans, but it hums with the anger of a people awakening. Premchand did not write for the intellectual elite. He did not try to impress with language. He told stories the way elders do under the shade of a neem tree. Simple, measured and unforgettable Do Bailon Ki Katha exemplifies that storytelling. Reading it brought an odd kind of maturity. I began to see the world differently, not only the world of animals, but also the lives of laborers, domestic workers, rickshaw pullers, and farmers. The story was never didactic, but it made me uncomfortable in the best possible way. Even now, when I read about animal cruelty or bonded labor, I find myself returning to that chapter in Kshitij. The scene where Heera and Moti collapse from exhaustion, while others stand around laughing, feels eerily familiar. We are still those bystanders. And in that sense, Premchand remains as relevant as ever. What made Premchand timeless was not merely his choice of subjects, but the tenderness with which he wrote them. His stories were not meant to shock or preach. They drew you in gently, then turned the mirror toward you. The beauty of Do Bailon Ki Katha is that it is not simply a fable. It is a human drama told through non-human characters. And perhaps that is why it stings. Because in those two oxen, we begin to see ourselves. It is curious how we grow older, but some stories seem to grow with us. When I first read it, I saw pain. Years later, I saw resistance. Now, I see companionship. I read Do Bailon Ki Katha in school. But I suspect I will remember it in life. It was Premchand's way of reminding us that even the voiceless have choices. Even the beaten down can say no. In a world that continues to normalise injustice, perhaps the most radical act is to walk away. Maybe we all carry a little of Heera and Moti within us. Maybe we are still waiting to find the courage to break free. (As I See It is a space for bookish reflection, part personal essay and part love letter to the written word.)
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Under clear skies, thousands gather for Bakrid prayers across Hyderabad
Under clear skies and amid heightened police presence, thousands of worshippers gathered across Hyderabad on Saturday (June 7, 2025) morning to offer Id al-Adha prayers. From sprawling Idgah grounds to neighbourhood mosques, prayers were completed smoothly, followed by the traditional qurbani rituals. For many, the festival is about more than just rituals. Farzana Begum, a homemaker from Malakpet, said the day holds deep personal meaning. 'Id al-Adha is a time of gratitude, sacrifice and sharing. It's about remembering our faith, spending time with loved ones, and reaching out to those in need. The prayers, the food, the sense of community, it all comes together on this day,' she said. Ayaan Khan, a 26-year-old graphic designer from Banjara Hills, shared a more contemporary view. 'For me, Bakrid is about the spirit behind the tradition, compassion, equality and giving back. It's less about rituals and more about reconnecting with values that matter, with family and friends around.' Mohammed Qasim, a 54-year-old schoolteacher from Toli Chowki, reflected on how the nature of the celebration has changed over the years. 'Twenty years ago, Id celebrations were quieter, more personal. We'd go to the mosque, then sit down for a simple family meal. Now it's bigger, more food, more people, and everything's on social media. The essence is still there, but the atmosphere has changed.' DCP South-West G. Chandra Mohan said the Bakrid prayers and rituals were conducted in a peaceful and orderly manner across the zone. 'All prayers were completed by 10.30 a.m. without any issues. Qurbani and other rituals are currently underway and are expected to conclude shortly. We anticipate that everything will be wrapped up by around 2 p.m.,' he said. He added that the three major Idgahs in the zone; Hockey Ground, First Lancer and Langar Houz, witnessed sizeable gatherings, with each location drawing close to 6,000 people. 'We had adequate police deployment at each site to manage the crowd and ensure smooth conduct of the event. The turnout was disciplined and cooperative,' the officer said.
New Indian Express
02-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
HC directs DDA to halt action against Shahi Idgah over religious gathering in park
NEW DELHI: The HC on Thursday directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) not to initiate any action against the Shahi Idgah in Sadar Bazar for holding a religious gathering in the adjacent park in December 2024. Justice Vikas Mahajan issued notice to the DDA on a petition moved by the Shahi Idgah Managing Committee and sought the authority's response. 'Renotify on September 10. In the meantime, having regard to the fact that the Waqf tribunal is non-functional, where the petitioner has instituted a suit, it is directed that the DDA shall not take any action pursuant to its notice dated February 11, 2025,' the Court said. The petitioner's counsel said DDA's notice of February 11 demanded Rs 12 lakh for using the park surrounding the Idgah for holding Ijtema(religious congregation)last year. The counsel said the park was part of the Idgah premises and DDA had no claim over it, and a suit was filed before the waqf tribunal against the authority's claim over it. However, as the tribunal was non-functional due to a lack of quorum, it was urged that the DDA should refrain from taking any steps in the interim. In response, the DDA's counsel argued that a single judge of the High Court had already held the park to be DDA property while adjudicating on a previous plea by the petitioner seeking to install a statue of Maharani Lakshmi Bai at the same site. DDA claimed the religious function was held in its park without prior approval.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Delhi HC restrains DDA from taking coercive action against Idgah committee
New Delhi The Delhi high court on Thursday restrained the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) from taking coercive action against the Shahi Idgah Management Committee, which is facing a recovery notice from the administrative body following its annual Ijtema congregation at the Eidgah Park near Delhi's Sadar Bazar. On February 11, DDA issued a notice to the committee, seeking ₹12 lakh as booking charges for the religious function organised in December 2024, on the grounds that the parkland belonged to DDA. Justice Vikas Mahajan, however, said DDA must not take coercive action until further orders, after the committee's counsel, Sanjoy Ghose, submitted that it filed a suit with the Delhi Waqf Tribunal, claiming that the park was on the Idgah land and seeking demarcation of the land where the Shahi Eidgah was situated. Ghose said the matter could not be heard due to lack of quorum and non-constitution of the tribunal and therefore, the committee had been rendered remediless. 'The problem is that the tribunal is not functional. Till that time, he (committee) has no remedy. It is a government land, but he is not encroaching upon it. It is a religious function, the recovery can come later on,' justice Mahajan said to DDA's lawyer. 'Having regard to the fact that the Waqf Tribunal is not functional, it is directed that the DDA shall not take any coercive action pursuant to notice dated 11/2,' the court said in its order. The bench also issued a notice in the Shahi Idgah Management Committee's petition against the February 11 notice and fixed September 10 as the next date of hearing. In its petition, the committee had asserted that the park was part of the Idgah premises and DDA had no claim over it. However, DDA's counsel submitted that a single judge, while previously dealing with the committee's petition against the installation of Maharani Lakshmi Bai's statute on September 23, 2024, had given a finding that the park was DDA's property. The counsel argued the religious function had been held on DDA land without prior approval. The committee had appealed against the single judge's decision before the division bench, but was not granted relief, the DDA counsel told the court. Ghose, however, contended that the single judge had no power to rule on the issue of title of the park and the division bench had left open all contentions of the parties.
Hindustan Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Don't against Shahi Idgah over use of park: Delhi HC to DDA
New Delhi, The Delhi High Court on Thursday asked the Delhi Development Authority not to take action against Shahi Idgah in the capital's Sadar Bazar area for using the park for a religious event last year. Justice Vikas Mahajan issued notice to the DDA on a petition filed by the Shahi Idgah Managing Committee and asked the authority for a response. "Renotify on September 10. In the meantime, having regard to the fact that the waqf tribunal is non-functional, where the petitioner has instituted a suit, it is directed that the DDA shall not take any action pursuant to its notice dated February 11, 2025," the court said. The petitioner's counsel said DDA's notice of February 11 demanded ₹12 lakh for using the park surrounding the Idgah for holding Ijtema, a religious evet, in December, 2024. The counsel said the park was part of the Idgah premises and DDA had no claim over it, and a suit was filed before the waqf tribunal against the authority's claim over it. However, since the tribunal was non-functional due to lack of quorum, DDA should hold its hand, he said. The DDA counsel said a single judge of the high court gave a finding on the park being DDA's property while dealing with the petitioner's plea for installing a Maharani Lakshmi Bai statue there. The lawyer said the single judge's decision was appealed against by the petitioner before a division bench, which did not intervene. DDA claimed the religious function was held in its park without prior approval. The petitioner's counsel said the single judge had no power to rule on the issue of title of the park and the division bench had left open all contentions of the parties.
