action, action,action: what should protesters demand from government for zero tolerance for crime against women

WHY SHOULD NOT GOVERNMENT PROMISE: A) fast track inquiry against all MPs and MLAs against whom molestation or even worse charges exist, b) immediately take up a review of police reforms so that police can do what it is suppsoed to do, c) withdraw all unnecessary security from Ministers and others and report all cases to Parliament where politicians force police to free criminals after booking them for various offences including the ones against women, d) ensure that all cases of rape which have been pending for follow up are put on national register of crimes against women and their progress is reported to nation regularly, e) instead of pushing for death sentence for rapist, castration and life imprisonment might be much more deterrent, f) the cases closed due to political influence such as Ruchika’s case must be reopened and re-investigated, the cases in north -east or eastern india or elsewhere against dalit women must be pursued more vigorously and g) the current protests in delhi should be used to achieve an all party consensus in a special session of parliament on fast track police reform, re-orientation about female security, and mount a major offensive against eve-teasing and declare zero tolerance for crime against women.

volcanic showers of stars

last night,
there was a volcanic shower of stars
fille dmy lake, otherwise dry
with fragments of broken and full stars
but then this year, there has not been rain

it is drought of desires
flood of sighs
and overflow of an anger,
of wilted tributaries
of leaking channels
and weeping willows

never to sleep again

wait, and see
if the door bell evokes some response
else knock again
and again
but not too long
if the princess sleeping inside gets woken up
never to sleep again
let her sleep
even if i return from the door empty handed

seeds of sanity

partaking a little sip
from the lake of gratitude
i was not sure
if i should ask for more
or
stay still
avoid inhaling the aroma of wild flowers
growing all around
and plant seeds of sanity
in my garden
unfenced
untamed

when we walked in the rose garden

my accountability is to you and you alone
when we walked in the rose garden
amidst high hills and cloudy sky
you never asked even once, why
i was lost or unable to see
what colour you wore
and where did the rays reflected from
diamonds in your earrings
go
but today, i remember all those missed moments
and will try to fill your lap
with a few flowers
i have plucked
from then garden
before they fall on the ground, half closed,
but also half open
but past their full bloom
like we are, are we

Till An eagle flies past

Imagine
Every chemistry lab seems to be different here
Same chemicals when mixed
Produce very different reactions
Why do they do so
Why do rules change
Even when
The materials remain same
How come clouds
Don’t rain when
We wish
But when
Sun is tired
Wind is still
They get tired of holding All the burden
In their wings
Till
An eagle flies past

Our sense of significance

Why do we elevate
Our sense of significance
To such a height
That all the necessities
Get suspended
And we absorb
The radiance
Of worn out
Diamond reflections

nov 4, 2012