When you said
India wasn’t azaad
Before 2014
I said
Absolutely
India wasn’t azaad
To murder people
For eating beef
India wasn’t azaad
To blame Muslims
For all that is bad
India wasn’t azaad
To pass bills
Without debates
India wasn’t azaad
To let the farmers
Die protesting
India wasn’t azaad
To call students
Anti-nationals
India wasn’t azaad
For the prime minister
To not hold any press conference
India wasn’t azaad
To let the political thinkers
Die rotting in the cell
India wasn’t azaad
To introduce anti-Romeo squad
And police people on morals
India has truly been azaad
From empathy
And solidarity
Since 2014.
Sutputra Radheye is a poet and commentator on themes affecting the socio-eco-political scenario. His works have been published on Frontier, Countercurrents, Janata Weekly, Culture Matters (UK) and other platforms.
Featured image credit: Pariplab Chakraborty