During these past two weeks, most Mauritians have been deeply moved by Nishal Joyram’s ongoing hunger strike. This is an extreme pathway taken by the educator as a last-ditched endeavour to ask the authorities to bring down the high price of fuel in a country already riddled with inflationary prices at all levels. Mauritians are stuck in a dreadful rut which shows hardly any sign of improvement at any point soon. As Nishal’s health keeps deteriorating day after day, seemingly, the authorities are still stubbornly resisting all efforts to bring down the price of fuel, despite the global trends showing that it is more than high time to do so.
Why is common sense not prevailing then? We are having to deal with a class of governing politicians who are completely alienated from the plight of the common people, despite their press conferences or meetings to claim otherwise. After all, they get free fuel and other perks, don’t they? The weight of those extra rupees barely causes a dent in their budgets, unlike the common man who is facing that losing battle to hold it all together. It is tantamount to being agonisingly engulfed by quicksand with no chance of escape. So, where is that infamous entertainment allowance? It could have come in handy to divert us from the jagged cliffs looming ahead, a nightmarish image of our possible future.
Why a Hunger Strike?
While some unprincipled politicians have been quick to label Nishal’s hunger strike as a form of blackmail, hunger strikes have already been resorted to as a form of resistance in many parts of the world and at different points in history. Last century, some notable hunger strikes movements took place in Ireland and India.
To stand up against injustices by resorting to a method whereby the body slowly starts to consume itself takes a great deal of courage and determination. While the human instinct is to keep the body alive through regular intervals of food consumption, voluntary starvation for a perceived just cause remains that subversive method intended to lead to a profound and spiritual level of reflection over topical issues that are making the lives of the common lot difficult.
Now, does the local breed of politicians in Mauritius possess this faculty of deep reasoning and mental enlightenment? That is yet to be determined, sadly. By refusing to take in food which is so vital for his survival, on behalf of the numerous Mauritians who are feeling the brunt of the skyrocketing price of fuel, Nishal is treading into the same footsteps of those beings who have put their mundane needs aside and focused on the greater good for the people.
Nishal: The Not-So Common Man
The man behind this hunger strike is a common man, yet not so. Nishal Joyram is an educator who is a contributor to Le Mauricien’s ‘Forum’ section, where he has been sharing his lucid views on a number of topics. As a fellow contributor to this newspaper, I have been following his battle with concern, albeit with a hint of pride. People might say that the pen is mightier than the sword but in this context, as Nishal is being carried by his will and the prayers of the people, I am tempted to say that he is translating the power of words into action. Not just any action though. It is a demonstration of an act of utter selflessness that is weighing upon his shoulders.
As he sits there in his tent in Port Louis, it is the people’s belief in him that keeps him alive and hopeful. Whatever the decision of the government, his health matters more. We wish to see him fully recovered and back on his feet, for the sake of his dear ones. The people of Mauritius are already very grateful for this patriotic act of his and the deed has been etched into our local history. When no one was there, Nishal was there to step in, to make our voices heard. A common man with guts. A not-so common man, eventually.
Beware of Profiteering Vultures!
While Nishal has been defending the interests of fellow Mauritians, suffice to say that a note of caution should be extended. This common man has been going the extra mile for the people, a feat that even some duly elected members of the opposition parties have been unable to equal. Without backhanded generalisations, Nishal’s hunger strike should not be reduced to a mere photoshoot opportunity for the opposition party members who have been entrusted with the duty to safeguard the democratic balance in this country.
Posting photos on social media is not a reflection of one’s engagement for the benefit of the population. Strikingly, elected members of the opposition do have certain parliamentary perks too, including fuel allowance. Let us hope that this humble action by a patriot constitutes a wake-up call about the need to rid oneself of complacency and condescension. Nishal’s devotion should not be hijacked by consumer support organisations nor fame-hungry politicians who have been resting on their laurels and are presently in the quest for some spotlight to boost their profiles. This is not the time and place for profiteering vultures to make a stop.
To Health and Hope
On behalf of the people of Mauritius, let us extend our wishes of good health to Nishal, the symbol of a man who has not feared to put his life on the line. May our rulers listen to our collective voices, which are still as strong as our beating hearts.