By Jacob Peenikaparambil
Indore, August 24, 2026: According to some theologians, three essential qualities characterise a prophet: courage, compassion and creativity.
Prophetic anger in the face of injustice does not arise from hatred; rather, it springs from a deep and agonising empathy for those who suffer. Moses, for example, courageously confronted Pharaoh, while John the Baptist openly criticised King Herod.
The prophets of both the Old and New Testaments consistently championed the cause of the poor, the orphan, the widow and the oppressed.
At the same time, they were deeply compassionate. Jeremiah wept over the impending destruction of his people. Prophet Muhammad’s teachings likewise placed great emphasis on Rahmah, or mercy and compassion, towards all creation.
Theologians such as Walter Brueggemann have pointed out that prophets break through social apathy by creatively imagining a future founded on justice and hope rather than despair.
Prophets do not merely repeat established formulas or remain confined within legalism. They use poetry, vivid metaphors and symbolic actions to awaken people from complacency.
They find new languages and forms of expression that enable enduring truths to speak to changing and stagnant societies.
These three qualities—courage, compassion and creativity—were vividly demonstrated in the protest organised by young people at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar protest square under the leadership of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).
The young people were angry at the repeated failures of the examination system and the deep-rooted rot in the education system in general.
Their demand was simple and just: equal and fair opportunities for all students.
Their protest also reflected compassion. They were deeply concerned about students who had suffered because of examination irregularities and paper leaks, including those who lost their lives in circumstances connected with the disruption and cancellation of examinations, as well as their grieving families.
They also expressed concern for the millions of children and young people in India who continue to be deprived of quality education.
At the same time, their methods were peaceful, non-violent and creative. Through social media and other innovative forms of communication, they challenged the authorities and created awareness among young people about the crisis in education.
A shining example of this prophetic spirit is 25-year-old Sheikh Abdul Hafeez of West Bengal, a supporter and volunteer of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). His father was allegedly beaten to death in Bankura, West Bengal, after a group of assailants attacked his family.
When the Government of West Bengal offered financial compensation to the family, Hafeez reportedly refused to accept it for his family’s personal benefit. Instead, he suggested that the money be used to establish a school in his father’s name.
The incident reportedly took place on August 13, after Hafeez visited Karishunda Paschimpara Primary School to examine its educational conditions as part of the CJP’s School Theek Karo initiative.
Later that night, a group of assailants allegedly entered his house and attacked members of his family with sticks, iron rods and crowbars. Hafeez’s father was seriously injured in the attack and later died in hospital.
According to media reports, eight people were arrested in connection with the incident, including a ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) leader.
Aparna Bhattacharya, in an article published in The Wire on August 19, 2026, summarised Hafeez’s responses to questions she asked him in an interview. His responses reveal a remarkable clarity of vision, moral courage and determination—qualities that can rightly be described as prophetic.
When asked how he felt after the death of his father, Hafeez said:
“I am not made of stone either. I have lost my father and I was attacked myself. But physical strength is not always what it takes to stand against injustice. Being clear before your own conscience is the greatest strength there is.”
These words reveal the moral foundation of his courage. A prophet is not a person who does not experience fear, grief or pain. Rather, a prophet is one who refuses to allow fear and suffering to destroy his or her commitment to truth and justice.
When asked why he had turned down the government’s offer of compensation for his family, Hafeez gave an altruistic and inclusive response. He said:
“Instead of that money going to our family alone, it should be used for something that also helps ordinary people in places far from here… An institution where even a poor child has the chance at the best education available in this country.”
He further said: “I have always believed the country comes before the individual. For as long as I live, I want to work for this country and its people.”
His response to another question reveals his willingness to make personal sacrifices for a larger cause:
“Working for the country asks for personal sacrifice, and I do not want to retreat from it. However difficult things get from here, I want this country’s education system to improve and the children of ordinary people to get equal opportunities.”
These statements show his readiness to persevere even if he has to stand alone. Prophetic mission often demands personal sacrifice, because those who challenge injustice and question powerful institutions cannot always expect safety, popularity or immediate success.
Hafeez’s commitment to improving the quality of education in government schools, where a large number of children from the poor and marginalised communities study, clearly demonstrates his sensitivity and compassion.
It was with this concern that he visited a primary school in his village to examine its facilities. His vision is that every child, irrespective of social or economic background, should have access to quality education.
Hafeez’s decision to become a CJP volunteer, to participate in the seven-day protest at Jantar Mantar and to dedicate himself to improving the quality of education in government schools reflects his desire to initiate a new trend in public life.
It is a challenge to the neglect of public education and a reminder that the education of poor children cannot be treated as a matter of secondary importance.
In the present Indian context, words such as “human rights”, “activist” and “revolutionary” can sometimes be enough to invite suspicion and to have a person labelled “anti-national”. In such an atmosphere, speaking truth to power and standing up for justice require considerable courage.
Sheikh Abdul Hafeez has shown that prophetic mission is not confined to religious leaders or ancient figures. A prophet can be an ordinary young person who listens to his conscience, feels the pain of others, courageously confronts injustice and creatively works for a better future.
By transforming his personal tragedy into a commitment to the education and future of countless children, Sheikh Abdul Hafeez has offered a powerful contemporary example of the prophetic spirit.
Jacob Peenikaparambil is a writer, as well as a trainer and consultant for non-profit organizations. He currently serves as the National Coordinator of the Universal Solidarity Movement (USM), Indore. He can be reached at jacobpt48@gmail.com.
(Photo from thesouthfirst.com/ X.com)