Kids Corner

Human jackals

1984

Dilli Darshan:
The Killing Fields of Delhi

SARBPREET SINGH

 

 

 


This is the first in a series of poems and essays by Sarbpreet Singh, commemorating the 30th year since India's 1984 pogroms, which became a nation-wide phenomenon after the initial conflagration in the country's capital, New Delhi, on November 1 - 3, 1984.

 

 

My brother, Dilli bound

Asks me - what should I see?

I have heard tales, and songs too

Written to this great city of kings

City of green gardens

And sylvan pools

Towering edifices

Broad ramparts

Fluttering flags

Filled with sounds and sights

And spirits from the glorious past

 

Veer, I say

That is not your Dilli

Or mine

That is the city

Of Bharat's history books

Its lights made brighter

By dubious musty tales

Polished and painted

Embellished with lies

And half truths

 

Yes, the drums beat

And the cymbals clash

As the mighty stride       

The broad leafy streets

But wait! Listen closely

There are other sounds too

I hear the hiss and crackle

Of living burning uncut kes

I hear wet heavy bubbles

As living flesh erupts

I hear the calm measured swish

Of the muscled executioner's sword

I hear the howling

Of human jackals as they stalk their prey

I hear the sobs of gentle women

As they mourn the ones torn away

I hear frustrated impotent teeth

Gnashing the air in vain

For vengeance or justice?

Perhaps a little of both

 

This is my Dilli, Veer

And yours too

 

 

October 24, 2013

 

 

Conversation about this article

1: Kaala (Punjab), October 24, 2013, 11:56 AM.

Sometimes I wonder ... what did they gain by these crimes, what did we lose? Yes, we still remember our brothers and sisters who went through this terrible ordeal and that was our great loss. However, a lot of myths were dispelled. Remember the "flesh-and-blood" mythology?

2: Inni Kaur (Fairfield, Connecticut, USA), October 24, 2013, 6:30 PM.

Very powerful!

3: Kaala (Punjab), October 26, 2013, 11:55 AM.

They can kill us, they can attack our religious places, but they cannot wipe us out, they cannot crush our spirit ... that is beyond their capability. Sikhi will always prosper. We have successfully faced much bigger existential threats. They did try, though!

4: Kaala  (Punjab), November 03, 2013, 1:00 AM.

Let us find ways to increase our population and then let them send their mobs, even if the ratio is 1:10, we will see who wins and we saw that in Nov 84. Sikhs should not live in isolated spots, but should stick together. State sponsored mobs have become their standard tactic, we need to find ways to defeat the mob.

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The Killing Fields of Delhi"









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