World Spine Day: শিরদাঁড়া বিক্রি নেই
This is an adoption from an article in AnandaBazar Potika on World Spine Day. The link to the original article is shared at the end.
In the current political climate of Bengal, the phrase “শিরদাঁড়া বিক্রি নেই” (translated as “no selling of spines”) has become the hot slogan on everyone’s lips. It’s quite the turn of phrase, really. Just yesterday, a government doctor was arrested while overseeing the state government’s puja carnival. Ironically, he was wearing a T-shirt emblazoned with the very slogan itself. Talk about a timely coincidence! And what’s more, the day after this incident just so happened to be World Spine Day, established back in 2012 to raise awareness about the importance of spinal health. This year’s theme? “Support Your Spine.” One can’t help but chuckle at the delightful timing of it all in the context of Bengal’s ongoing activism.
The whole “spine” situation has taken on a political flavour recently, particularly in light of the recent RG Kar incident, which has sparked a wave of protest. Now, whenever someone dares to voice dissent against the government or administration, the spine metaphor comes up, creating an amusing yet sobering discourse. It all kicked off when junior doctors marched to Lalbazar, the police headquarters, armed with a symbolic spine during a long-awaited meeting with the then-Police Commissioner, Vineet Goel. They even took to chanting slogans like, “কলকাতা পুলিশ তোমার নাকি শিরদাঁড়াটা নাই, সে দিন যেটা দিয়ে এলাম বেচে দিলে ভাই!’ which translates to ‘Kolkata Police, heard you have lost your spine? The one I brought that day, you sold that too?’
But what is the significance of a spine in society, one might wonder? As it turns out, it’s not just about physical structure; it has morphed into a metaphor for strength, integrity, and moral backbone. On September 3, during that meeting at Lalbazar, the junior doctors presented their symbolic shikdara . However, former IPS officer Adit Sharma had a bit of a different take. He suggested that giving someone a spine symbolically isn’t quite enough. “A spine means taking responsibility to build society,” he remarked. “If you truly want to straighten the spine of society, become politicians or IPS officers yourselves and show us how it’s done.”
Yet, the “apolitical” junior doctors seem to be steadfast in their belief that the shikdara remains a crucial metaphor. Romelika Kumar, a junior doctor currently on an indefinite hunger strike, passionately explained, “In medical terms, the spine is incredibly important. It has numerous functions. But metaphorically, the spine reflects our personality, our essence, and our perspective on society. We invoke the concept of the spine to illustrate our protests against injustice.” She further asserted, “If some people hadn’t sold their spines, this situation wouldn’t have arisen. Society would be much better off. It’s precisely because some have spines that this movement has persisted for so long, while others’ lack of spines is why we continue to fight for 64 days.”
In this current socio-political landscape, the dictionary seems to be on the same wavelength. According to the Bengali dictionary, being “shirdarahin” means “weak” or “cowardly.”
The movement surrounding the spine metaphor has even drawn literary figures into the fray. Poet Shrijat, who once wrote, “তুমিও মানুষ, আমিও মানুষ, তফাত শুধু শিরদাঁড়ায়’” (You’re human, and so am I; the only difference is in our spines) found himself under scrutiny when questions arose about why he wasn’t taking to the streets himself. In response, he shared an old poem, which began with, “The road means a split path, a narrow alley.” It, too, led to some criticism. Unfortunately, Shrijat didn’t respond to requests for his thoughts on World Spine Day.
On the other hand, poet Mridul Dasgupta made his sentiments clear, stating, “To me, the spine means standing straight and responding to everything. It’s what helps you stand tall in anger or sorrow.” Theatre personality Debesh Chattopadhyay expressed a more poignant interpretation: “In my mind, the spine signifies self-respect.” Actress Sudipta Chakraborty, however, had a rather straightforward view. “To me, having a spine means speaking the truth, acknowledging the truth, and standing against injustice. When something is wrong, you fight back. I’ve always understood the meaning of ‘spine’ in this way, and I believe it will remain unchanged.”
In summary, the conversation surrounding the spine in Bengal has transformed from a mere anatomical reference to a profound commentary on societal integrity and resistance. So, whether one finds themselves amidst protests or pondering the nuances of everyday life, the spine—both literally and metaphorically—remains an integral part of the dialogue. After all, in a world where some seem to be selling their spines, it’s those who stand tall who truly shape the future.
To Read the original article click HERE.
Picture sources Anndabazar Potrika
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