char laddoo
it was august of nineteen forty seven
the leaders promised a new bright heaven
india gained its independence from britain
but not without cost, it was unfortunate
dilli celebrated its date with destiny that night
but those in given up areas were in for fright
riots there were the order of the day
violence had become the normal way
held every one scared by the strife
feared for their honour and their lives
whole villages were burnt, residents butchered
women were abducted, raped and tortured
no one was safe, neither wives nor daughters
the men folk were all in for the slaughter
no trace was left of families galore.
but the rioters promised still more
defenceless, weapon less, they could only wait
whether the frenzy will someday abate
it never did, each day one could feel was worse
huddled together in makeshift places like herds
sheltered in camps, protected by a few military men
attack will come, question was not whether but when
enough has been written about it and forgotten
tragedy for some is just news for the distant ones
let us leave the general scene and repair to our own
describe our pathetic condition we have known
we in quetta had our day in the country new
sweets were distributed, we had our char laddoo
told no need to worry, we were all friends
alas, in three days friendship came to an end,
eighteenth august night was a night to remember
we looked forward to nice food and a good slumber
mobs roamed the streets unchecked and killed the heathens
assault was the common thing and fires too was their weapon
we escaped to the gurudwara, but anticipated disaster
it was matter of time before we were slaughtered
a strange silence had gripped the entire crowd
people talked in whispers, not daring to be loud
luckily for us the sikh regiment was in the town
did not abandon us and let the government frown
supplied the refugees enough food to survive
but even they did not know what to do with strife
someone suggested let us make a run for life
no point in just waiting for another strike
we are surely going to be dead should such attack come
we may die on our way to india but must make a run
the trains are still running, let us board them
let us have trust in god who may save us yet.
this logic was appreciated by all and sundry
requested the military to give us some safety
the soldiers agreed and we were off to the station
boarded the train, never mind the destination.
punjab was impossible, the driver knew
towards hyderabad he turned at rohri
in hyderabad another train we could take
it was just leaving as we reached a bit late
nevertheless lucky we were to be in that
learnt later that the train following was attacked.
few escaped from that train who could tell the story
they were left for dead as the rioters were in a hurry
as we crossed munnabao border a loud shout went up
gave thanks to the almighty with feelings long pent up
appeared as if this would the end of a horrible story
thank god, we lived to tell it, to him belongs all glory
(july 8, 2020)