Hum Dekhenge – Celebrating Literature of Protest

The recent nationwide protests by India’s Gen Z resonated across the globe and created precious sparks of life in our long-deadened hearts. Protest against injustice lies at the heart of genuine, all-inclusive progress. Protest against inequality and corruption is the heartbeat of democracy. Protest against wrongdoing is the foundation of humanity. And literature always lies at the heart of protest that makes us truly human, that makes the world a better place. So, in honour of our Indian youth, here is a poem by one of our greatest Indian revolutionary minds Faiz Ahmed Faiz, a song that became one of the most loved during our recent student protests. The English translation by Mustansir Dalvi is also given below.

Hum Dekhenge

by

Faiz Ahmed Faiz

Laazim hai ki hum bhi dekhenge

Woh din jiskaa ke waada hai,

Jo lau-e-azl mein likha hai

Jab zulm-o-sitam ke koh-e-garaan

Rooi ki tarah udd jaayenge,

Hum mehkoomon ke paaon tale

jab dharti dhad dhad dhadkegi,

Aur ahl-e-hukam ke sar oopar

Jab bijli kad kad kadkegi,

Jab arz-e-khudaa ke kaabe se

Sab but uthwaaey jaayenge,

Hum ahl-e-safaa mardood-e-haram

Masnad pe bithaaey jaayenge.

Sab taaj uchaaley jaayenge.

Sab takht giraaey jayyenge.

Bas naam rahega Allah kaa,

Jo ghaayab bhi hai, haazir bhi,

Jo manzar bhi hai, naazir bhi.

Utthegaa ‘An-al-haq’ kaa naara

Jo main bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho,

Aur raaj karegi Khalq-e-Khuda

Jo mai bhi hoon, aur tum bhi ho.

We Shall See

translated by

Mustansir Dalvi

Inevitably, we shall also see the day

that was promised to us, decreed

on the tablet of eternity.

When dark peaks of torment and tyranny

will be blown away like cotton fluff;

When the earth’s beating, beating  heart

will pulsate beneath our broken feet;

When crackling, crashing lightning

will smite the heads of our tormentors;

When, from the seat of the Almighty

every pedestal will lie displaced;

Then, the dispossessed we; we,

who kept the faith will be installed

to our inalienable legacy.

Every crown will be flung.

Each throne brought down.

Only His name will remain; He,

who is both unseen, and ubiquitous; He,

who is both the vision and the beholder.

When the clarion call of ‘I am Truth’

(the truth that is me and the truth that is you)

will ring out, all God’s creatures will rule,

those like me and those like you.