Zanjeerein - Hafeez Merthi

 Zanjeerein (ज़ंजीरें) - Chains - Hafeez Merthi

I came across this beautiful and powerful Ghazal by Hafeez Merthi during the recent Paper Leak Protest at Jantar Mantar,Delhi. The police brutality against students is shameful,and those in power must reconsider how they treat peaceful protesters. I struggle to understand why this government refuses to engage in open dialogue.We saw this same pattern have during the CAA-NRC protests,the Farmers' protest, the Women Wrestlers protest and now the Students' protest. Instead of addressing the core issues ,Modi led BJP government often resort to denial and brand protesters as terrorist and foreign agents backed by Pakistan,USA,China,Khalistani separatist, Soros,etc. This Ghazal of Hafeez Merthi centered on theme of revolution and Chains i.e 'Zanjeerein' serves as a poignant tool to describe the current protest against the resignation of education minister Dharmender Pradhan and the police brutality the followed after the protest. I have tried to translate it here. More on the poem : "Describing Zanjeerein by Hafiz Merthi"

आबाद रहेंगे वीराने शादाब रहेंगी ज़ंजीरें,

जब तक दीवाने ज़िंदा हैं फूलेंगी फलेंगी ज़ंजीरें!

Aabaad Rahenge Veerane Shadaab Rahengi Zanjeerein 

Jab Tak Diwane Zinda Hain Phulengi Phalengi Zanjeerein. 

Desolate places will prosper,chains will be fresh.

As long as crazy minds alive,chains will flourish

आज़ादी का दरवाज़ा भी ख़ुद ही खोलेंगी ज़ंजीरें,

टुकड़े टुकड़े हो जाएँगी जब हद से बढ़ेंगी ज़ंजीरें!

Azaadi Ka Darwaza Bhi Khud Hi Kholengi Zanjeerein,

Tukde-Tukde Ho Jaengi Jab Had Se Badengi Zanjeerein

Chains themselves will open the door to freedom,

Chains will be shattered on its limit broken.

जब सब के लब सिल जाएँगे हाथों से क़लम छिन जाएँगे,

बातिल से लोहा लेने का एलान करेंगी ज़ंजीरें!

Jab Sab Ke Lab Sil Jaenge, Haathon Se Kalam Chin Jaayenge,

Baatil Se Loha Lene Ka Elaan Karengi Zanjeerein.

When lips will be sealed and pens will be snatched,

Chains will announce to challenge the incorrect.

अंधों बहरों की नगरी में यूँ कौन तवज्जोह करता है,

माहौल सुनेगा देखेगा जिस वक़्त बजेंगी ज़ंजीरें!

Andhon-Behron Ki Nagri Mein Yun Kaun Tawajjo Karta Hai,

Mahaul Sunega-Dekhega Jis Waqt Bajengi Zanjeerin.

In the city of deaf-mute who cares to pay the attention,

Surroundings will see-listen when chains will bang in action.

जो ज़ंजीरों से बाहर हैं आज़ाद उन्हें भी मत समझो,

जब हाथ कटेंगे ज़ालिम के उस वक़्त कटेंगी ज़ंजीरें!

Jo Zanjeeron Se Bahar Hai Azaad Unhe Bhi Mat Samjho,

Jab Haath Katenge Zaalim Ke Us Waqt Katengi Zanjeerein. 

Do not mistake those free who are not tied to the chains,

Only when the tyrant's hands will be severed, broken will be the chains.