We came on foot, we came on boats, shouting slogans of Azadi.
We stood on roof tops and sat on walls under the burning midday sun,
Listening to the words that we had longed to hear for so long.
Words that had been scripted through the lonely fears of our hearts.
Words that were spoken now with the clarity of courage.
Words that were spoken now with the suppressed strength of pent up anger.
Words that were spoken now with the certainty of belonging to the soil
Which had become one with the dust of our ancestors.
We stood there in the waves of heat
Feeling the surge and press of countless bodies around us.
Bodies meshed through the odour of sweat
And the shared fear of a common persecution.
And hanging from the roof tops,
And tied to the poles,
And clutched in hands slippery with sweat,
And wrapped round the pillars,
And spreading into our blood,
Were three strips of colour with a wheel of spokes,
Sewn together into the shape of our being.
Woven into the folds of our future and the creases of our past.
Stitched to the seams of the earth, the water, the air and the sky
That belonged to us and to which we belonged.
And we stood there from noon to evening,
We the people of India.
Raising our clenched fists like signposts to the future.
Chanting slogans like a new anthem.
Kin to each other through the ties of community.
Born to live and die
In a nation that was ours to hold on to
And ours to belong to.
Dr Parinitha is a professor of English in Mangalore University. She penned the poem soon after participating in the historic protest against CAA, NPR and NRC at Shah Garden, Adyar, Mangaluru on 15th January, 2020.
Also Read:
‘The more you try to divide us, the stronger and united we’ll be’: Record turnout in Mangaluru’s anti-NRC protest
Anti-NRC protest in Mangaluru brings ‘media bias’ to the fore
Comments
Masha Allah
Congratulatuions Sister Fathima all the very best for your future.
Mabrook Fathima Keep it up
Mash Allah , Great Job Done By Fathima and one of the toughest Job on earth is Indian CA, Great Fathima you made Muslim Community Proud .
Masha Allaha,,, Good Achivement.. keep it up.. sis.
I think he is talking about His own Party.
KESARU = RSS, KAMALA = BJP
Great achievements fathima hamza congratulations, let fulfill your future studying dream Masha allah.
Sudhar Javo Naren. Dont waste your valuable life. Be clean minded and clean hearted. Pray for your right guidance from Almighty God.
Ma Sha Allah Sister.. May Allah bless you in all your future steps..
Frustated person is disliking all comments. :D Sudhaar jaao yaar abhi bhi bahuth waqt hey
Congratulations fatima .may Allah bless you in good health and knowledge
kesarinalli kamala...
Masha Allah alf mabrook. Excellent performance.keep it up
Fathima ,you made your parents ,family and our community proud.
you made us BWF very proud, and myself and on behalf of BWF congratulations for your bright future. Let All your hopes and dreams be fulfilled
Masha Allha.. congratulations..
ALHAMDULILLAH. ALF MABROOK AND CONGRATULATIONS TO MS.FATHIMA HAMZA, & HER PARENTS MR.HAMZA ABDUL KHADER & MRS.ZAINAB MUMTAZ & THE WHOLE FAMILY., WHO ARE CLOSELY KNOWN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. IT IS A VERY GLAD NEWS TO HERE ABOUT THIS GREAT ACHIEVEMENT OF PASSING OUT HER CA EXAM IN FIRST ATTEMPT, MASHA ALLAH. IT IS CLEARLY EVIDENT HERE ABOUT HER DEDICATION, COMMITTMENT, HARDWORK & FOCUS ON THE SUBJECT, WHICH GAVE HER SUCCESSFUL RESULT. OFCOURSE, PROPER GUIDANCE AND UPBRINGING BY HER PARENTS. MAY ALMIGHTY ALLAH BLESS HER & HER PARENTS & FAMILY WITH HIS MERCIFUL AND BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS AND ALSO A SUCCESSFUL PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL FUTURE FOR HER, AAMEEN.
Add new comment