TW: Rape
The pledge tells me to treat one another as brothers and sisters.
The national anthem instils in me pride and patriotism.
You promise harmony.
You promise unity in diversity.
A true secular nation that respects all religions.
Oh India, but what have you become?
You have failed me.
You have failed my sisters.
You scare me.
I am terrified and I feel the fear deep in my bones,
As I lose another sister today.
You demand her to be honourable and modest.
You blame her for the stares on the streets that she has grown accustomed to.
You blame her for the unwanted touch.
You blame her for her screams.
Her honour, it matters more than her respect.
A mere object, she is for your most spoilt sons.
And you refuse to believe your daughter.
I thought silence was your way of dealing with your problems,
But I am wrong.
For you use your voice for all the wrong things.
Turning a blind eye to all that matters.
You scream when a woman enters a temple,
Yet you remain quiet when she’s raped?
You are enraged by communal harmony,
Yet you openly defend rapists.
The tricolour of saffron, white and green has been torn apart,
Stained red with its power-hungry leaders.
Dear India,
You promised me harmony,
You promised me unity and diversity.
You used to welcome all with open arms.
That country is no more now.