To JNU - with love

Later in the night -

sins of the day wash off

strange whispers murmur

slogans echo

Microphone thrust in
stained by political passion

clandestine combine

managed media

idiotic idiomatic ideologies

purposeless politics

nihilist narratives
introduced by innocence
wrapped in curls
contrived corridors

layered lies -

Deception.

Incarceration. Asphyxiation.

a Malda burnt

a Kerala simmered

a Margherita wept

a woman student thrown out.

Transesterification.

Azadi.

Hum kya chatey – Azadi

Hum lad ke lenge azadi

Hum mit ke lenge azadi

Hum til til ke lenge azadi

Hai haq hamara azadi

Imaan hamari azadi

Fitrat hamari azadi

Samvidhan hamara

Hum Leke rahenge azadi.

Bloody salaam!

rebellion ?

anti-establishment ?

pro-poor ?

Borrowed.

Loaned.

Leased.

Duties waived off.

Moth burns itself –

Always.