Women of India - Poem by Badri Raina

Indian poet and writer Badri Raina praises the women of India who are in the forefront of the ongoing protests and political struggle against the brutal Hindutva regime of PM Modi.
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Women of India
By Badri Raina
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ZNet, December 27, 2019
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Sitting out the chilling night
At Shaheen Bagh, you lead
India’s second struggle for freedom,
shaming men who would come
But are held back by fright.
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Women of India, your resolve
Against tyranny once made,
Brooks no politic retreat.
Firm in mind, you are firm
On your freezing feet.
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A face of impish delight smiles
Upon you.
Tucked in his lungi, he seems to know
That you will defeat the guiles
Of the day’s defrauders,
As you did of colonial marauders.
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Those that worship the armed goddess
In the plush confines of temples
Now confront her in the flesh.
Looking at your sentient courage,
My defiant soul leaps out
Of my old age.
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To declare to my beleaguered nation
That the republic is safe
In your incandescent passion
Against a state of things where
Laws may accommodate
Subliminal hate.
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Indian women shout slogans during a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act in the city of Guwahati on Saturday. | AP

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