Category Archives: Redefining Nationhood

A resounding burp announced the end of Muthappa Shetty’s midday meal. As if on cue, his wife Laxmi came out of the kitchen and cleared his plate. Muthappa stood up quickly, straightening his crisp and spotlessly clean white shirt. With … Continue reading →

We’re putting together a set of pencils. As long as you look, feel, write, perhaps even smell like a pencil – no matter the size, nor colour, nor presence of an end eraser anymore (or ever) – you can be … Continue reading →

I read, I watch, I hear windows break, doors break, and skulls too. My own window is intact; my door is safely locked. Yet the tremors of shattering glass Wring my gut. The ogre sits to my right Pulls me towards it and … Continue reading →

What do we make of this, Our lives, this world? And, What did we want of this life? Chants ring, bugles blow, Is this what it has come to? We have come so far, Yet, We go back to those, … Continue reading →

Another shadow appeared on the clerk’s desk behind the iron mesh. “Who are you?” The clerk asked without looking up. “I am… I am me.” Said a hollow voice, the torso shrouded in an over-sized sweaty shirt that had once … Continue reading →

When people ask me if I’m hindu, I reply ‘yes’. Sometimes, if I’m feeling rather bold, I follow it up with a, “But I’ve clicked unsubscribe from hinduism.” The paradox between my religious upbringing, and my political views. Are aplenty. … Continue reading →

I am an urban naxalite And you can identify me By the clothes I wear. My collar is neither White nor blue but Red with anger. My sleeve is heavy With opinions and facts, Unlike your empty promises. My pocket … Continue reading →

My Google Chrome history in the last couple of days, speaks of my ignorance of being an Indian. While I enjoy endless jokes on Trump, every law furbished here is swiped away from the notifications. It took a loud bang … Continue reading →

Excerpted from a talk at The Jewish Centre, Kean University, New Jersey. ACT ONE The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2019, now an Act, changes the definition of citizenship that the Indian constitution of 1947 laid out. The Citizenship Act seeks to … Continue reading →

All you Who are silent now A time will come When they run out Of others And turn you Into one. Then who Will light that candle And march through the streets For you And who will shield you With … Continue reading →