The youth of the country wants to know why,
They have degrees but there are no jobs.
The shopkeepers of the country want to know why,
Their shops are burned down by violent mobs.
The employees of the country want to know why,
Prices have risen but their salaries have not.
The farmers of the country want to know why,
Promises of waivers have come to nought.
The jawans of the country want to know why,
Sacrifices at the border go in vain.
The workers of the country want to know why,
Nothing is done to ease their pain.
The traders of the country want to know why,
Whatever they earn is taken in the name of tax.
People everywhere are crying out loud,
It is not talent which the country lacks.
It’s the lack of will of those elected,
If we ask questions the government attacks,
With force, with police, or the CBI,
Branding us as traitors or anti-national,
When answers are sought, all they do is lie.
But the sleeping giant has awoken,
A voice long-suppressed yearns to scream,
The voice of the nation, the voice of the people,
Echoing their resentment and their crushed dreams.
The might of the citizenry will be now seen,
We will not forfeit though we may fall,
You may succeed and silence one of us,
But no force on Earth can silence us all.
Shukr Usgaokar is a final year law student. A bit naïve, he still believes that words and ideas can change the world.
Featured image credit: Lars_Nissen/Pixabay