RELIGIOUS TOLERANCE

My news vendor threw it through the window.

Headline I read—

THIRTY FIVE HINDUS KILLED IN COMMUNAL VIOLENCE.

In alertness I asked the peeping sunrays

‘Who are you—Hindu or Muslim?’

They smiled and said nothing.

When I came out of the house,

The whole village was sparkling.

In the park my comrade came

Already chalked out plan he named.

‘Let’s set Ghulam’s house on fire

And teach him a lesson.

Rascal Muslim!

As he departed

I asked the opening rose buds—

‘What caste are you?’

They said nothing, quite nothing

And swayed in the air.

They were searching Hindus.

Daggers in their hands—

‘It is their Hindu brothers

Who demolished the Baburi Mosque.

They must not be spared in Bangladesh.’

I asked the birds chirping in groves—

‘What religion do you practice?’

They said nothing, quite nothing

But twittered sweet melody.

My servant reported—

Someone poisoned the neighbour’s well.

Ten Hindus have died of drinking water.

In alarm I asked the dew drops sparkling like peals—

Who are you made for—Hindus or Muslims?

They said nothing, quite nothing

And refracted the light from within.

Madan

March 2000