The Yamuna In Rage

(Written in December 2012 when Nirbhaya, the unfortunate gang-rape victim, was breathing her last on a Singapore hospital bed and public anger in New Delhi and elsewhere was at boiling point) You have given me hope My veiled and unveiled sisters Muslim and Hindu Belonging to every faith Marching towards the historic India Gate Defying the might Of the overbearing insolent State Demanding justice for women Justice for Indian womanhood Fighting death on a hospital bed With its last insecure breath A weak palpitating heart You have taught me India is one It shall ever remain so For ever for eons to come Veiled or unveiled No matter what faith inspires it We have one common goal Justice for the downtrodden The unfortunate oppressed And victimized Irrespective of religion Let your voice be heard And reverberate On the corridors of power We have reached the Armageddon The Kurukshetra of our times Let the adamance And insolence Of the impudent power-brokers shudder Let them take notice No more foolery is allowed And take to their trembling feet and flee Let new blood flow In your veins Brothers and sisters Like the beloved Yamuna in rage Let us compose the tune For a new India to sing Vande Mataram again In grand solemn salute To oppressed Indian womanhood All that is weak And taken for granted Callously trespassed So that the weakening breaths And ebbing pulse Of Indian womanhood On a distant hospital bed Are not wasted And washed away In the waters of uncaring time To indifferent oblivion Let the Yamuna be in rage Let the Yamuna be afire Rise sisters and brothers You have reached your Armageddon At a New India Gate Awaiting history to be made