Faiz Ahmad Faiz's Poetry Becomes India's Favourite Anthem of Dissent

There is a poet named Faiz Ahmad Faiz who wrote very beautiful poems in Urdu.

He lived from 1911 to 1984, and he died more than forty years ago.

Even though he is gone, people in India still use his words when they want to protest.

Supreme Court of India judges, factory workers, teachers, and students all use his poems during demonstrations.

His poems like 'Hum Dekhenge' and 'Bol ke lab azaad hain tere' have become famous protest anthems.

Some people in India do not trust Urdu or the neighbouring country Faiz came from, yet they still love his words.

Even people who cannot understand Urdu say his poems make them feel the message of resistance and solidarity.

He last visited India in the early 1980s, before many young people today were even born.

Today his face and words appear on mugs, coasters, and tote bags, plus memes and Instagram-style posters.

The article wonders why Faiz, above all other great poets, is the one Indians choose when they want to speak out.