(W)holistic Resistance and the Courage to Stand Alone: OBMA’s Call for Justice and Dissent in India

Posted on 23rd October, 2025 (GMT 09:30 hrs)

ABSTRACT

This statement reflects OBMA’s introspection and reaffirmation of purpose amid ongoing struggles for justice, accountability, and ecological integrity in India’s increasingly oligarchic and censored environment. Drawing inspiration from Gandhi’s satyagraha, Tagore’s “Ekla Chalo Re,” and the resilience of figures like Umar Khalid, it underscores the moral necessity of walking alone when truth demands it. Acknowledging internal hesitations, systemic suppression, and self-censorship, OBMA calls for renewed ethical persistence, strategic communication, and collective courage — bearing one’s own cross with conscience, foresight, and faith in transformative action.

Once in a Blue Moon Academia (OBMA) announces the closure of its WhatsApp and Telegram channels within the next 24 hours — not as a retreat, but as a strategic pause to consolidate resources, refine communication, and prepare for the next phase of ethical resistance. In an environment marked by self-censorship, apathy, indifference, surveillance, and disillusionment, this decision reflects both introspection and reaffirmation of purpose. OBMA remains steadfast in its commitment to justice, transparency, and ecological responsibility — continuing its work through other public platforms while calling on citizens to act with conscience, courage, and collective resolve in the face of systemic injustice.

“Yatne kṛte yadi na siddhyati, kohatra doṣaḥ”

“When one has striven with sincerity and still fails, there is no shame or blame in that.”

IIt is no shame to admit that OBMA has, at times, fallen short in initiating an online, non-violent civil disobedience movement guided by the principle of sarvodāya: the universal ethic of collective responsibility, ethical foresight, and conscious action.

These reflections come at a critical juncture. The struggle for justice, accountability, and ecological stewardship is neither linear nor easy. Even the most principled efforts encounter setbacks reminiscent of Sisyphus’s eternal labour, pushing forward a boulder that seems always to roll back. Yet, like Robert Bruce, who drew courage from perseverance in moments of despair, we continue to act, learn, and recalibrate.

Although our post’s title says “in India,” OBMA’s struggle is fundamentally GLOCAL — both global and local — in its spirit and ethics. It rejects the imaginary geopolitical boundaries of nation-states, affirming instead a shared human and other-than-human struggle against injustice, ecological destruction, and moral decay.

1. The Challenges We Confronted

OBMA acknowledges our struggles in several key areas:

A. Communicating the political dimension of the DHFL scam
Convincing victims and concerned citizens that this is not merely a financial collapse but a deeply political case, orchestrated within networks of cronyism, monopolistic control, and elite influence.

B. Exposing crony capitalism
The DHFL case exemplifies how entrenched cronyism and monopoly serve elite interests at the expense of justice, human dignity, and public welfare.

C. Mobilizing as an effective pressure group
Strategically coordinating against oligarchic structures that perpetuate systemic injustice — capable of delivering an “all-out attack” in the political-economic arena — remains a key, ongoing challenge.

These are not failures — they are part of the iterative process of building a conscious, resilient, and principled movement.

OBMA’s struggle has never been limited to the DHFL scam alone. While the financial injustice inflicted on thousands remains a central wound, our mission extends to confronting the deeper architecture of inequality that sustains it — the entanglement of economic exploitation, political repression, social marginalization, and environmental destruction. From the dispossession of communities in the name of “development” to the silencing of ecological defenders like Sonam Wangchuk or Greta Thunberg, from gendered violence to corporate capture of public institutions, OBMA stands as a moral witness to all forms of systemic injustice. Our activism seeks to bridge these interconnected struggles — financial, social, and environmental — under one ethical vision: the defense of human dignity, ecological balance, and democratic accountability against the machinery of impunity.

2. The Reluctance Within: When Fellow Victims Hesitate to Support

In the midst of our collective struggle, OBMA has encountered a poignant and revealing challenge: even among the victims of the DHFL scam, there exists hesitation to contribute, even as little as ₹1, to support our efforts. This reluctance is not born of apathy but of profound disillusionment and distrust. Having been betrayed by financial institutions and regulatory bodies, many victims find it difficult to place their faith in any institution, including those formed to advocate on their behalf.

This internal hesitation reflects a deeper malaise within our society—a crisis of trust and a pervasive sense of betrayal. It underscores the urgent need for OBMA to not only advocate for justice but also to rebuild trust, demonstrate unwavering integrity, and lead by example. Our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical action becomes even more critical as we seek to unite these fractured communities and channel their collective energy toward meaningful change.

The reluctance to contribute, even symbolically, serves as a stark reminder of the emotional and psychological toll that systemic injustice inflicts on individuals. It is a call to OBMA to not only fight for financial restitution but also to heal the deep wounds of betrayal and restore faith in collective action. Only through consistent, principled advocacy and by embodying the values we espouse can we hope to inspire others to join us in this struggle for justice.

3. The Broader Context: Resistance, Economics, Ethics, and Climate

The DHFL case reflects a broader socio-political malaise: economic predation, centralized authority, and corporate-political collusion that erode citizens’ rights, social justice, and ecological sustainability. These dynamics mirror the challenges faced by environmental and climate movements across India, including the Ladakh Movement led by Sonam Wangchuk, as well as the global Fridays for Future initiative spearheaded by Greta Thunberg. OBMA maintains active collaborations with Schumacher College and Local Futures, strengthening our engagement with global ecological, social, and regenerative movements. Today, these efforts increasingly intersect with campaigns advocating for total disarmament and climate justice in conflict-affected regions such as Palestine, Ukraine, and Sudan, highlighting the inseparable links between ecological stewardship, social equity, and peace.

Ethico-political resistance requires more than cleverness or tactical maneuvering. It requires wisdom grounded in foresight, ecological understanding, and moral responsibility. Clever political actions, coercion, or suppression may achieve short-term goals, but true wisdom — as Wangchuk exemplifies — cultivates enduring solutions, resilience, and the well-being of communities and ecosystems.

3. A Strategic Pause, Not a Retreat

In light of these reflections, OBMA has decided to close our WhatsApp andl Telegram channels within the next 24 hours.

Let it be clear: this is not a retreat. Rather, it is a strategic pause — a moment to consolidate resources, refine strategy, and prepare for the next phase of our movement.

Our mission continues unabated. We will remain accessible, engaged, and active through the following platforms: …

4. Bearing Our Own Cross

As we confront systemic injustice, crony capitalism, suppression of dissent, and ecological degradation, OBMA recognizes that there is no substitute for personal and collective responsibility. Each of us must bear our own cross — the weight of conscience, courage, and ethical commitment — even when the path is fraught with uncertainty and adversity. This is not a burden to lament, but a calling to act with clarity, integrity, and foresight.

Bearing our own cross means refusing to rely solely on institutions, authorities, or external validation to uphold justice. It demands active participation, moral vigilance, and resilience in the face of apathy, indifference, and coercion. Just as Sisyphus continues to push his boulder and Robert Bruce found strength in perseverance, we too must carry the responsibilities of action, advocacy, and accountability.

This principle extends to every dimension of our struggle: defending the rights of DHFL victims, advocating for ecological and social justice, challenging political suppression, and confronting the culture of self-censorship that imperils the collective imagination of free and just societies. The cross we bear is both personal and collective — a commitment to ethical courage, enduring struggle, and principled action that cannot be outsourced or evaded.

In bearing this cross, we cultivate the resilience, wisdom, and foresight necessary not just to survive oppression, but to transform it into meaningful, lasting change.

5. The Virtue of “Ekla Cholo Re”

OBMA recognizes the profound lesson in Tagore’s exhortation, “Ekla Cholo Re” — walk alone if you must. True ethical and political action does not always depend on mass support at the outset. History is replete with instances where transformative change began with just a few committed individuals. Gandhi embarked on the Salt March in 1930 with only a handful of followers, demonstrating that courage, vision, and principled action outweigh mere numbers. Similarly, Fidel Castro famously remarked, “I began the revolution with 82 men. If I had to do it again, I would do it with 10 or 15 and absolute faith. It does not matter how small you are if you have faith and a plan of action.”

These examples remind us that moral conviction, clarity of purpose, and disciplined execution are more decisive than size or immediate recognition. In the OBMA struggle — whether advocating for DHFL victims, defending ecological and social justice, or resisting systemic suppression — we embrace the spirit of walking boldly, even alone, guided by conscience, strategic insight, and unwavering ethical faith. Small beginnings, grounded in integrity and vision, often become the seed of enduring change.

Furthermore, OBMA draws inspiration from Gandhi’s strategic approach to resistance, not only in action but in ensuring its visibility. During the historic Dandi Salt March in 1930, Gandhi maintained careful communication with the press through statements from Sabarmati Ashram and public gatherings, which alerted both Indian and international media to the unfolding civil disobedience. This proactive engagement, later captured in newspapers, radio reports, and documentary footage, including BBC recordings, ensured that the march’s principled defiance was widely documented and amplified. Gandhi’s approach demonstrates that effective activism combines ethical action, disciplined planning, and strategic communication—a lesson that remains profoundly relevant for contemporary movements like OBMA’s.

OBMA also recalls the tragic irony of Umar Khalid’s case — a scholar and activist who often spoke of satyagraha, ahimsa, non-cooperation, and civil disobedience in the Gandhian spirit. His speeches consistently invoked constitutional morality, peaceful dissent, and ethical resistance to injustice. Yet, he was wrongfully incarcerated under draconian laws in connection with the Delhi riots of 2020 — a case where his call for non-violence was perversely interpreted as incitement. This inversion of meaning — where the language of peace becomes criminalized — exemplifies the deep crisis of democratic freedom and the shrinking space for moral dissent in contemporary India.

OBMA recognizes that the suffering endured by the DHFL victims is not an isolated tragedy but part of a wider tapestry of politico-economic and moral injustice that defines contemporary India. The anguish of Bilkis Bano, who continues to live with the unhealed wounds of gendered and communal violence; the incarceration of Umar Khalid, whose peaceful advocacy for constitutional morality and non-violent dissent has been perversely criminalized; and the persecution of Sanjiv Bhatt, punished for upholding professional integrity and truth against state power — all reveal the interconnected nature of oppression under the current regime. To these must be added the custodial and post-custodial deaths of Father Stan Swamy, Professor G.N. Saibaba et al — both emblematic of the state’s cruelty toward conscience, where physical frailty and moral strength were met not with compassion but with calculated neglect and institutional violence. These are not separate struggles but expressions of a common crisis: the systematic silencing of conscience, the weaponization of law, and the corrosion of justice by oligarchic and authoritarian interests. OBMA stands in moral solidarity with all who bear the burden of this collective suffering — affirming that the fight for financial justice, democratic freedom, and ecological integrity are inseparable facets of one larger ethical struggle against the machinery of deceit and domination.

A Call to Allies

We invite all victims, comrades, and concerned citizens to join us in this renewed phase of activism. The fight against injustice, crony capitalism, and systemic erosion of rights demands:

• Clarity of purpose – Understanding the structural, political, and economic dimensions of injustice.
• Ethical persistence – Acting consistently in alignment with principles of justice, democracy, and ecological stewardship.
• Collective action grounded in responsibility – Building solidarity networks that transform awareness into measurable impact.

We will still be available on the following platforms:

WordPress: https://onceinabluemoon726729221.wordpress.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/obma2022/

X (Formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/obma2022

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/onceinabluemoon2021

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1564691267737504

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13949066/

Youtube: https://youtube.com/@onceinabluemoonacademiaobm574

Blogspot: https://onceinabluemoon2021.blogspot.com/

Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@anekanta

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@debaprasadbandyopadhyay

Pinterest: https://in.pinterest.com/oiabm2021/

Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/80230966@N06/

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/debaprasad

Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/user/Realistic_Ad7755

For more information, view the following:

The struggle is far from over. As we remember Sisyphus’s labor and Robert Bruce’s courage, we commit to moving forward with wisdom, foresight, and ethical resolve — acting not out of cleverness alone, but with enduring ecological, social, economic and political insight.

Join us. Stay informed. Stay engaged. The movement continues.

Appendix: Waiting For Justice

The struggle for justice in today’s India is marked not merely by the enormity of crimes committed, but by the excruciating wait that follows — a silence imposed by institutions that delay, dilute, or deny accountability. Across different spheres — financial, political, social, and moral — the victims of this systemic apathy share a common fate: an endless waiting.

• DHFL Victims (2019–present):
  For over six years, thousands of small investors, pensioners, and middle-class families have awaited restitution after their life savings were erased through the DHFL–Piramal deal, legitimized by the very institutions meant to protect them. Despite multiple legal petitions, RTIs, and appeals, justice remains distant — buried beneath the weight of crony capitalism and judicial opacity.
• Sanjiv Bhatt (since 2018):
  The former IPS officer, who spoke out about state complicity in the 2002 Gujarat violence, has been incarcerated since 2018. His imprisonment, following years of harassment and fabricated charges, epitomizes the state’s vengeance against truth-tellers. His appeal for justice remains unheard, his voice confined, his integrity punished.
• Umar Khalid (since 2020):
  A scholar and activist imprisoned under the draconian UAPA, Umar Khalid has spent over five years in jail without conviction — not for violence, but for speaking of peace, non-violence, and constitutional morality. His prolonged detention reveals how dissent itself has been redefined as sedition.
• Sharjeel Imam (since 2020):
  A researcher and thinker detained under similar charges, Sharjeel Imam continues to languish in custody, denied bail and vilified for his words rather than his deeds. His incarceration mirrors the state’s fear of reasoned dissent and its contempt for intellectual courage.
• Bilkis Bano (since 2002):
  More than two decades have passed since the brutal gang rape and murder of her family during the Gujarat riots. Though the perpetrators were initially convicted, the Gujarat government’s 2022 remission order — releasing 11 convicts — reopened her wounds and mocked the very idea of justice. Bilkis’s continued struggle represents the nation’s moral decay: a system that punishes truth and rewards complicity.

… and so many countless others

Together, these stories form a tragic continuum — the DHFL victims defrauded under corporate complicity, Bhatt silenced for duty, Khalid and Imam jailed for conscience, and Bilkis betrayed by the state’s selective mercy. Each waits — not only for justice but for the restoration of a moral order where truth is no longer treason.

Justice delayed has become justice redesigned — repackaged as endurance. Yet OBMA believes that these intertwined struggles, born of suffering and sustained by courage, form the ethico-political foundation of a renewed democracy — one that refuses to forget, refuses to surrender, and continues to wait, act, and bear witness.