Why should I be ashamed?

Unapologetic, Unfettered,
They act, they speak;
Claiming to protect me,
Unleashing the critique.
Naked mindset ought to be blamed,
Not me...why should I be ashamed?
I deny your thumb rules,
I won't marry, I'm not semi-clad;
Fed you, bred you,
Otherwise what you had?
Respect oozes from my name,
Then...why should I be ashamed?
Chalk a circle around yourself,
You shall live and die in it;
Without a woman standing besides,
You can hardly do a bit.
Broken, twisted, with hardly anything to claim,
Standing tall...why should I be ashamed?

*My unapologetic reply to Khaps and to the 'moral police' of Haryana (sadly, my native state).

*Click and Listen this poem on SoundCloud


Comments

  1. This thought provoking post also applies to all other 'policing' prevailing in other states too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree Sir, it applies to every part of our country.

      Delete
  2. Hard-Hitting! I wrote one too. Another one is coming up in sometime. They have managed to piss me off big time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think everybody is angry with the current state of affairs. I read your first post and will read the second in a couple of minutes. :)

      Delete
  3. Very well written Saru, as always. The repetitive use of the phrase makes it a bold statement too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Abhra, coming from you it is a big compliment :)

      Delete
  4. Well written.. it is such a shameful situation there... those as%^&oles should be ashamed... not junta..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True that...Wish we could do something to change it...

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  5. i don't know what we men are doing.
    sad but this situation is question mark on society.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is a big question mark on where we are heading...

      Delete
  6. मधुरेश के लिंक से आपकी रचना का पता चला. बहुत सुन्दर और उन्मुक्त भाव हैं आपकी रचना में एक दुखद सत्य के बारे में . लेकिन दुःख की बात है अब भी अशिक्षा और सामजिक बंधनों में कैद स्त्री (खासकर गाँवों में)बारहा ज़ुल्म की शिकार होती है और कुछ हंगामे के बाद फिर वही क्रूरता एक बार फिर से. जो लोग इसे दूर करने की नुस्खे बता रहे है वो ये नहीं क़ुबूल कर पाते की ऐसे कृत्य करने वाले लोग दानव होते है मानव नहीं. ना ही वो देखते हैं कुछ सौ साल के पहले के इतिहास को. मुगलों के हरम को जहाँ उन ऊँची चाहरदीवारियों के अंदर, दुनिया की गुस्ताखनिगाही से दूर हो कर भी ज़ुल्म का शिकार बनना पड़ता था. अपने देश में बहुत परिवर्तन की ज़रूरत है. महिलाओं को स्वाबलंबी बनने देने की ज़रूरत है.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I agree, those men are animals. We need change and women have to have belief in themselves. Thanks for sharing your views and welcome here :)

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  7. Your controlled rage comes through your words! Well done!

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  8. Oh!
    nicely expressed the emotions
    in such difficult situation.
    Compelling to rethink.

    thanks for the presentation.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wonderful poem depicting the state of women and their ideal response to what's happening in the state!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad that you feel that the response is ideal. Thanks for reading Binu!

      Delete
  10. Saru, so difficult to change the medevial mindsets that cannot look beyond their nose! The sad plight is so well depicted but what you said is true, about incompleteness of a man without woman!Remember even in olden days the concept of Ardhnarishwara existed which people have forgotten conveniently:(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we forget what is not required. Actually we are so confused in our existence. I wish things improve soon.

      Thanks for reading and sharing your views Sir.

      Delete
  11. I can feel the anger oozing out in this post and rightly so. I can very well understand where you are coming from. I feel even more angered after listening to the "solutions" given by these Khaps about reducing the age limits of women for marriage. That will not solve the problem, it will only ensure that a woman will be raped at least by one man. Pathetic. I feel disgusted to call myself a man because I will also be judged in the same breath as these rapist bastards.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Your anger is quite evident in your poem Akshay. I agree when you said that if married, she will be raped by only one man. Things are deteriorating and we can only hope for a better future...

      Delete
  12. Quite a flow of anger through those few words.

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  13. the message has been delivered strongly!

    ReplyDelete
  14. "Standing tall...why should I be ashamed?"...You have rightly pointed out to something which is more important than even punishing the culprits...the victims should first realize that they are not at fault...they are not week and meek...

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    Replies
    1. Yes! And I think our society should also think like that, it will be very comforting to the victim. We certainly need to evolve morally. Thanks for reading Amar.

      Delete
  15. and other day i saw in one of the episodes of satyamev jayate, the SP of Haryana police making futile efforts for women rights and protection ...how untrue was that ?

    very well written Saru !

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    Replies
    1. Of course, it is not the reality. Thanks for reading Rahul.

      Delete
  16. Strong, dignified message, Saru!

    Do go through this when you can :

    http://lafemmenirvana.blogspot.in/2012/10/letter-to-torch-bearers-of-indian.html

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    Replies
    1. A brilliant take on the current situation Nirvava. Thanks for a wonderful read. :)

      Delete
  17. I hope the moral police also look into their own homes and see what the MEN in the house are doing
    and we talk of being the top most nation .. HOW can that be



    Bikram's

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  18. It's been a great repartee to khaps who have been trodding us as we are not human. Very true! without women no man could stand.
    Greatly expresses! :)

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    Replies
    1. Men and Women complete each other, we have to understand and accept that.

      Thanks for Gayatri.

      Delete
  19. Hi Saru, well written.I remember Satyamev Jayate episode on khap panchayath.When the audience and Amir was blaming khaps rules and regulations and telling them that they dont have any rights to take law in their hands their face was red with anger.Instead of understanding that everybody is against them they still want to be rulers.
    Your anger against them is very well expressed.Hope situations will be better in future.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think they can never understand, for that you need brain and I doubt them having it. Though, as you said, we can certainly hope for a better future.

      Thanks for reading!

      Delete
  20. Thought Provoking and beautifully expressed !!!
    Can really feel the anger in your words !!

    Happy Blogging and take care !!!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Like always you do beautiful things when you put words togheter.

    Hope you have a blessed week:-)

    ReplyDelete
  22. Hmmm...nice and strong reply to the stupid mindset of these people, hope God will give them, a heart to introspect themselves and this can not happen until and unless we start ignorning them and protest strongly who favour their thought and allowed them to make their muscle stronger by letting them exercise freely.
    I would like to accuse both media n politicians for their selfish behaviour. One is greedy for TRP n another for vote. If we seriously want to change the mindset of these people and want them to make them realize that they are wrong. We should start ignorning them and let them feel we don't required them....btw nice expression of thought but it could be more powerful if you had expressed these thought in Hindi otherwise I liked the attitude of this poem especially the title of this poem.
    Keep rocking n TC...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You have raised an interesting point here. Yeah, ignoring them will solve some purpose. And I will try to write something in Hindi as well. It's been really long that I posted in Hindi.

      Thanks for reading and sharing your views. :)

      Delete
  23. Wow!Amazing verse,powerful words,forceful and forthright! Brilliant stuff. Have a great day Saru.

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  24. Profound Saru. I can see the anger, the pain, the frustration of what we all civilized humans must feel.

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  25. situation was not good before, now is getting worse...

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  26. It's really irritating.Powerful reply indeed. Smart take Saru!:)

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  27. Hard hitting.. If this poem is shown to those Khaps then the guilt for making such statement will kill them.. Well expressed..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I doubt that, if something should kill them that it should be the shame of their own deeds. Thanks for reading Sonia.

      Delete
  28. Haryana is not only yours, it is ours too! If there is a burden, we all carry it together or throw it together. We don't have to feel ashamed about what they do. We have to find out a way, that is the only way!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we have to find a solution and no one is ashamed. It's a reply to those who think we should be sorry for their mistakes.

      Delete
  29. very well written saru..!!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sadly, it's a state where no one is ashamed. And, is this really only Haryana's story? Our entire society is going through some really perverted times.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, it is the story of India but Haryana aced this time. We have to evolve as a country.

      Delete
  31. nicely written and indeed a good answer too..

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  32. unfortunately whatever a woman does gets beaten up a lot, good post saru! Whatever happened ,was truly, shameful

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  33. This is very very powerful and very well-addressed!! Very well done Saru! :)

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  34. I only wish the concerned could understand the spirit of this truth!

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  35. Chalk a circle around yourself - I like that.

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  36. liked it.. pretty ruthless and biased rules are made by khap.. ur short poem clearly defines d atrocities of the women living in such areas..

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  37. Wonderul lines Saru, have tweeted and shared it. Hope it reaches to the Khaps...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope so too and hope they think about it. Thanks Priti!

      Delete
  38. Very well written, Saru. Loved it!

    ReplyDelete
  39. Are men owners of women and girls?
    Are women and girls their slaves?
    Why are they treated like properties?
    Where are we heading to?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, No and can't answer the other two questions...

      Delete
  40. beautiful expression...we call the Taliban barbarians.?.we can beat them any day in our treatment of our women.

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    Replies
    1. We are becoming nothing but their replica. Sad situation!

      Delete
  41. I tried to come up with an equivalent word in English but somehow this one came from my heart. Tod-fod jawab to the Khaps and other such useless establishments in the name of moral policing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We need to tell them strongly, hence this reply. Glad you liked it Deepa!

      Delete
  42. The angst of a lady aptly depicted Saru.
    There is indeed no need to be ashamed. Break all these bonds and fly high, the sky is the limit. Fear not for fear shall be your undoing.
    Very good post Saru.
    Hope it awakens the people.

    Regards

    Jay
    http://road-to-sanitarium.blogspot.in/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well said Jay! Truly inspiring and motivating.

      Thanks for such a beautiful comment.

      Delete
  43. A strong message in a beautiful poem! I love these two lines;
    "Without a woman standing besides,
    You can hardly do a bit."
    Sometimes its just sad to learn about the things happening in this world, at such a modern stage.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Right, the situation is really sad. Thanks for reading dear!

      Delete
  44. Khaps... Hmmm, they are bunch of idiots!
    Anyways, A+ Work! Phenomenal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you and I am nodding on the first sentence.

      Delete
  45. Bravo! That should be the spirit of every women. A poignant piece, Saru.
    " I deny your thumb rules,
    I won't marry, I'm not semi-clad;" --This says it all!!

    ReplyDelete
  46. Great retort!! Wish they would confine themselves to chalk circles!

    ReplyDelete
  47. A fitting reply.I love your sentiments & the way you have expressed them-it is they who should be chained & home-bound.

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, for their stone age thinking. Thanks for reading Ma'am.

      Delete
  48. True, I wish somebody could read it out loud to these people!

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  49. Befitting...thought-provoking!
    Sad state :(

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  50. Well written Saru, Speaks for all of us ~

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  51. Loud, strong and hard hitting... a job very well done Saru!

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  52. There are some outstanding metaphors here
    Respect oozes from my name
    naked mindset.

    And most importantly, I feel that anger that heat on your face, while I read this poem! Thats is the intensity. And I share this anger and intensity with you. Angry terribly angry disgusted. Native state or not, it is our country in 2012 and this bullshit is what we face!

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    Replies
    1. I feel angry at how we think, how we behave and how we act. We have no morals and reading headlines everyday is the most disappointing time. I agree with whatever you said Jenny.

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  53. Upfront and loud... a strong message.. wish it was read by the wrong doers..

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  54. Read this somewhere- "shutthefucKHAP" .So agree with it. They're sick.

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  55. Oh how beautiful and it touched!! Sorry for my ignorance but I did not know what Khaps are but reading about it right now!! <3
    Shopping, Style and Us

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    Replies
    1. Good that you don't know about them. They are not worth it.

      Delete
  56. Frankly speaking I feel ashamed that we have moved to such state of lawlessness. The Khaps have become a law onto themselves like the talibans. A nation which doesn't know how to respect its women can never prosper.

    Traditionally in India, women were respected. Women like Gargi, Maitreyee etc had their place under the sun. A few hundred years of Moghul rule followed by the British rule appears to have corrupted our DNA. Sad indeed that we keep on tolerating these khaps.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. We are not civilized anymore, we are actually confused to our existence. As you said, things are bad and we can't prosper with such a state. The point of Mughal and British invasion is new to me.

      Delete
  57. hard hitting perfect
    excellent poem

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  58. Sometimes I feel ashamed to be a man in this world. And why shouldn't I be if there are still such people around. Our culture and society has never properly stood up against these men who never know to look beyond the surface and all they have known and done in their lifetime is run their mouths. Your words epitomize the burning agony and angst of several women (and men). I wish the searing anger of your words would just burn them to ashes.

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    Replies
    1. If words could do that Raj, it would have been great. But these men are living in stone age with no remorse at all. Sigh!

      Delete
  59. Well composed saru-jee.. It is the Khaps & moral police who need to be ashamed of themselves.. nice read..

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    Replies
    1. Yes, they should be and thanks for reading Sunil.

      Delete
  60. saruuu.,
    beautiful.. strong.. stern.. powerful..
    you can make anything sound soo good, be it even anger and hate..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dipthi, I will cherish your comment forever. BTW, that reminds me of something my husband says to me, 'You make even the dullest things live.'

      Thanks for reading and a wonderful comment.:)

      Delete
    2. hehehehe., i like that.. 'you make even the dullest things live'

      Delete
  61. Such a strong message this is! Moral policing has always been beyond my understanding. I don't if we should call it plain ruthlessness or immaturity that creates this sort of shameful atmosphere.

    ReplyDelete
  62. Interesting piece, Saru...glad you were able to express your anger, those that which is close to the heart is often difficult to express..

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    Replies
    1. Yeah, it pinches a lot when the wrong deeds are somehow connected to you. Glad you find it interesting Bhavana :)

      Delete
  63. These Khap guys need some treatment in their own style. The biggest hypocrisy of our society is that it treats criminals as victors and victims as criminals

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, we treat criminals as victims and victims as criminals. And yes we are a hypocrite nation...

      Delete
  64. Really its very difficult situation.. I always thinks what could be best solution for this..but no answer came out of my mind..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, it's very difficult to find an answer to it. Thanks for reading :)

      Delete
  65. Apart from liking it, this one will surely pinch them hard ...those people

    If used in protest activites and wiill also open up eyes of those who are silent

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  66. Why i should be ashamed ??? I havnt done anything wrong thn why am I being punished?? beautiful !! and yes congratulations for completing two successful years of blogging (read in yr post) .. one more thing I must have to say .. yr website is very impressive and I loved the images and photographs you have chosen for yr poems/stories/quotes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Exactly, we shouldn't be ashamed of our acts. We are free to do what we desire, like men. Glad you like my blog and the choice of pictures. :)

      Delete
  67. So damn true.. why should I be ashamed.. Well written.. Hope it reaches those dumb minds who speak so lowly of women..

    ReplyDelete

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