Activism in India- part 2

Several weeks ago, I had planned on discussing activism in India though the example of Rang de Basanti, a 2006 Bollywood production. However, with a full time job and a full time 4th year course load, I will have to cut my Rang de Basanti analysis short and continue with the weekly lectures/readings.
A few points about Rang de Basanti:
- Riots and protests have been a popular way of reaching a democracy in India. Taking India’s past as an example, specifically the pre-Partition years, we see that civil disobedience movements that Gandhi led, and massive protests in front of Congress were common. Eventually, these tactics helped the public win their way. Rang de Basanti is a good example of that. At Ajay’s death, his loved ones execute a protest in front of the Gateway of India to commemorate Ajay’s unjust death. Later, they ask the masses to protest with them as they inform the public of the hidden corruption in their own government. Power to the People! Indeed.
- Similar to the acts of culture jamming and appropriation in the West, Rang de Basanti shows a group of university students appropriating a popular culture medium- the radio. Through out the film, that radio station plays pop music and celebrity gossip. It forms one of the narratives of the masses who listen to it. At the end, however, the four students lock themselves inside the radio station and send their own messages over the airwaves. They appropriate the medium and use it to deliver a message that opposes the dominant ideologies.
- Activism in the film is shown in an angry tone. Perhaps it is because the students are angry at their friend’s death, or they only became activists through their anger. Whatever the reason, I disagree with it. Like the student projects done in class, it is obvious that activism can serve a social/moral purpose but still be fun. One does not have to be angry or destructive to be an activist. Peaceful activists exist too.