Millions of Chinese suffering from the dreaded lockdowns have turned to Hindi film legend Bappi Lahiri’s hit song “Jimmy Jimmy Aaja Aaja” from the 1982 film “Disco Dancer” for anger and frustration over the country’s strict zero-COVID policy.
On Chinese social media Douyin, the Chinese call for TikTok, the song composed by Lahiri and sung by Parvati Khan is sung in Mandarin “Jie mi, jie mi,” which translates to “Give me rice, give me rice,” through other people. in videos showing empty boxes to show how they are at a disadvantage from must-have pieces of food during shutdowns.
The video has been so controlled to evade Chinese censors that they rush to remove any messages deemed critical of the country’s regime.
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Indian films have enjoyed wonderful popularity in China, from the days of film legend Raj Kapoor in the 1950s and 1960s to the later years, when films like “3 Idiots,” “Secret Superstar,” “Hindi Medium,” “Dangal” and “Andhadhun” performed exceptionally well at the Chinese box office.
Observers say the Chinese have figured out a clever way to use “Jie mi, jie mi” to make comfortable protests in their attempt to shine a light on the public’s attitude toward the zero COVID policy, which has literally isolated China from the outdoor world.
China has become bogged down with a zero-COVID policy under which dozens of cities, including Shanghai with a population of more than 25 million, have been stranded for weeks with others confined to their apartments.
Dozens of videos have surfaced showing security officials cracking down on others protesting the blockades.
In the latest protests, contracted to assemble Apple Inc. ‘s new iPhone, it went on strike at a factory in Zhengzhou, central China, following a virus outbreak and court cases over unsafe operating conditions.
Reports imply that staff began leaving the Foxconn factory after some of them fell ill in mid-October and got no treatment.
On Sunday, China reported 2,675 cases, up from 802 on the day.
According to the zero COVID policy ordered by President Xi Jinping, towns and cities must go through strict lockdowns and others in the region are transferred to quarantine centers if positive cases are reported.
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In almost every city besides Beijing, screening is mandatory for all citizens. Without negative control results, citizens enter public places, add restaurants and markets.
(With the exception of the title, this story has not been edited through NDTV and is published from a syndicated feed. )
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