As the much awaited Ranveer Singh starrer Gully Boy is all set to hit the screens, the makers have already dropped in a boom box featuring all its tracks which are a collaboration of several rappers and composers. That being said, the not so controversial yet controversial song Azadi made headlines after being noticed of being parallel with JNU former student union President Kanhaiya Kumar’s chant from 2016.
Back then a case was registered against Kumar for organising an event on the JNU campus in against the hanging of Parliament-attack mastermind Afzal Guru. He was arrested under sedition for alleged anti-national slogans. After remaining for a month in custody he was granted bail. Upon his release he chanted a song in a gathering that hit the viral note.
Hai Haq hamara….Aazadi, Hum lekar rahenge…Aazadi, Dangaaiyo se… Aazadi, Samantvaad, se…Aazadi, Sanghvaad se…Aazadi, Bhukhmari se… Aazadi, Punjivaad se…Aazadi, Manuvaad, se…Aazadi, Brahamnvaad se…Aazadi, Hai Haq hamara….Aazadi, Hum lekar rahenge…Aazadi
Courtesy Kanhaiya Kumar
Fast forward to 2019, the makers of ‘Gully boy’ release a song titled ‘Azadi’ created by Dub Sharma and Divine. Interestingly, Sharma is the same composer who had taken a leaf out of the ‘azadi’ slogans by Kanhaiya Kumar and released his version of the song in 2016, along with a blog post titled as ‘I hope my song dies’.
Also Read: When ‘Gully Boy’ rapper Dub Sharma made this hilarious video featuring PM Modi
However, for the ‘Azadi’ track in ‘Gully Boy’, he has reworked the same song, and just changed its context. “The song from ‘Gully Boy’ is totally different. There is no particular context to it. It has nothing to do with the 2016 scenario. Through the song, we just wanted to convey what’s happening in the society. When people will see the movie, they will understand the real context to it,” Sharma told IANS.
Haan bahut baithe chup chaap, Kya ghante ka insaaf, Desh kaise hoga saaf, Inki neeyat mein hai daag, Sirf karte rahenge baat, Alag shakal wohi jaat, Vote milne par yeh khaas, Phir gayab poore saal, Haan mera bhai hai to, Noton ki sarkaar hai na, Note se banate apne beton ko, Yeh star hain na, Kitne bekaar kyun yeh, Aapas mein jhankar hai na, Baaki poora desh doobe, Inki naiya paar hai na
Courtesy- Azadi-Gully Boy
It didn’t take long to notice the similarities in the songs but the main question lies if it is a seditious track. Not that there haven’t been movies or books that have taken a jibe at the government. Films like Rang De Basanti (2006), Chakravyuh (2012) are some examples that revolve around the lines of sedition.
What is sedition?
The sedition law, introduced by the British in India in 1870, outlaws speech that “brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India.” The penalty for running afoul of the statute: up to life imprisonment. One of the biggest examples of that time was Lokmanya Tilak who was charged with sedition thrice for speaking against the British government through his newspaper Kesari.
Section 124A in the Indian Penal Code
“Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards the Government established by law shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which fine may be added, or with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which fine may be added, or with fine.
Explanation 1-The expression “disaffection” includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity.
Explanation 2-Comments expressing disapprobation of the measures of the Government with a view to obtain their alteration by lawful means, without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.
Explanation 3-Comments expressing disapprobation of the administrative or other action of the Government without exciting or attempting to excite hatred, contempt or disaffection, do not constitute an offence under this section.”
Do we need it?
With the changing times, our think tanks have questioned the sedition law to be archaic and have suggested for it to be scrapped. However, some say it is essential to maintain the integrity of the country. Understanding that the law was brought in to suppress the voices of our freedom fighters, is it really playing that part or is it just a tool of intimidation used by the government to shun opinions against it? The question remains. Period.
