They defiled
Defaced
Abused
Accused
Garlanded with slippers
Pelted stones
But
You were a silent statue
They will praise
Place flowers
Churn out speeches
And melodious songs
Shower accolades
Distribute sweets
Still
You will be a silent statue
But, for those who carved
You with their flesh and blood
Days and nights of sweat
In shivering cold and sweltering heat
You are not just a silent statue …!
You are an inspiration
A determination
A motivation
To march forward
Unhindered
To Dalits, Muslims, subalterns,
To women, the poor, the marginalised sections,
You are a statue full of life
In this world of strife !!
Sheshu Babu is a writer from anywhere and everywhere
By all means, let’s repeatedly honor our s/heros and reinforce the messages that they bring to us. Let’s, please, though reject the flower garlands and bouquets. It is too much waste of worldwide resources to let them wilt and die adorning statues and other markers. Let’s use the beauty of the world in another way than on statues, at graves and at other sites!