Nobody’s Protest

I am Nobody

But I protest

I have no award

To return in protest

I have no fellowship

Or membership

Or great position

To resign from, in protest

But I protest

I am no writer, but

I protest the murder of writers

I am not one of them, but

I protest the murder of social activists

I am no artist, but

I protest the humiliation of artists

I am no journalist, but

I protest attacks on journalists

I do not eat meat, but

I protest murders in the name of beef

I am no politician, but

I protest political intolerance

I am religious, but

I protest religious intolerance

I protest against

Polarisation of the society

And creation of unrest

In human minds

In the name of religion

And politics

And caste

And food!

I protest

I protest

I protest

I protest

And I am sad

Is this the Independence

That we fought for?

I was born into free India

Is this democracy?

Autocracy rules the day

Is this secularism?

Now a meaningless word

Is this the land of Mahabharata?

Where are the Yudhishtiras?

Shakunis are abundant

Is this the land of enlightened Rishis?

Is this the land of the Vedas?

Is this the land of Ramayana

Is this the land of Dharma?

Is this the land of Buddha?

I am sad

Very sad, indeed