Almer’s era defining piece from today’s New Age.

I write, therefore I am. Every time you tell me not to, I will tell you back.

I write, therefore I am
by Zayd Almer Khan

I write. That’s what I do. You tell me not to. Repeatedly, like a broken record. Sometimes rather coyly, sometimes cajolingly, sometimes more firmly. But always with a tone of authority, even superiority in your voice – entirely false in their assumptions as those assertions might be. You try to intimidate me, when in fact you are intimidated by my words. The words I write. Because my words are written out of conviction. Conviction in democracy. Conviction in the people’s ability to decide for themselves. Conviction in the electorate’s right to choose its own steward. Conviction in the absolute necessity of the steward to be accountable to the electorate at all times. Conviction against autocracy. For you are autocracy.

I speak. That’s what I do. I speak my mind. You tell me not to. No coyness here, because you think I’m vulnerable, my licence to speak cancelled by you with the stroke of a stooge’s (sorry, judge’s) pen. But in fact it is you who is vulnerable to my words. The words I speak. Because my words are spoken out of conviction. Conviction in justice. Conviction in fairness. Conviction in rule of law. Conviction in due process. Conviction against persecution, however ‘noble’ the motive. For you are the persecutor.

I think. That’s what I do. I think quietly, and out loud. You tell me not to. Not much you can do there, but you do your best by gaoling my thought leaders, by torturing the conscience of the nation. When in fact you are tortured by my thoughts, and what they might lead to. Because my thoughts are formulated out of conviction. Conviction in the people’s will. Conviction in a more politically aware nation. Conviction in a culture of debate, a culture of protest. Conviction in a society where all viewpoints, however contrary, are accommodated and appreciated. Conviction against a miniscule, conceited elite, in the guise of civil society, imposing its self-serving ploy to depoliticise the nation. For you are that conceited elite.

I listen. That’s what I do. I listen to the cries of the people, from the streets of the capital to the paddy fields afar. You tell me not to. You beat up the desperate mob, asking for fair prices, fair wages, fair justice. You stifle their voices when in fact it is you who feels stifled. Because their cries are out of conviction. Conviction in a more egalitarian economic order. Conviction in a price regime that allows basic sustenance. Conviction in the farmer’s right to a fair price, the labourer’s right to a fair wage, the commoner’s right to a fair trial. Conviction against lumpen opportunism that plunges the nation into chaos by embarking on an ill-conceived ‘experiment’ because you know you can walk away from it without personal consequence – after all, who are you accountable to anyway? For you are that opportunist.

I see. That’s what I do. I see with my eyes wide open. You tell me not to. You blindfold me into custody, calling me a cheat, a thief, a traitor. But I still see cheating, thievery and treachery abound. And it is you who chooses to be blind to things that I see so clearly. Because, even blindfolded, I see with my convictions. Conviction in good governance, not just mala fide attempts to install so-called ‘good governors’ who are just as bad. Conviction in cleansing the system rather than play musical chairs with those who man it. Conviction in institutional reforms rather than personal vendetta. Conviction against the status quo. For you are the status quo – really, you are no better.

I write. That’s what I do. You tell me not to. But I keep on writing. It infuriates you. But you forget, whatever your might, you are my servant, not I yours.

I write, therefore I am. Every time you tell me not to, I will tell you back.

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