The Emperor Is Afraid of Nothing But

  1. Of the questions asked at a press conference
  2. Of the students marching on the streets 
  3. Of the women sitting in Shaheen Bagh
  4. Of the farmers taking bullets for the cause
  5. Of the writers returning their awards
  6. Of the artists drawing graffiti on the walls
  7. Of the singers singing songs of freedom
  8. Of the comedians cracking jokes against jingoism 
  9. Of a Kashmir that has a tongue and an internet connection
  10. Of the facts that stand against their claims
  11. Of a Gandhian satyagraha that outlived Godse’s bullet
  12. Of the employees demanding wages for their labour 
  13. Of a doctor busting their myths
  14. Of an opposition barricading their bills
  15. Of a constitution that defines the limit
  16. Of a court that still supports dissent
  17. Of the voices that echo despite being in prison
  18. Of a public that remembers 

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: Pariplab Chakraborty