Poems on
Mankind

The Kashmiri Pundits

a poem by Bijay Kant Dubey

Kashmiri pundits
Did they not feel pity for
Any sympathy, love and bonding for
Having lived together with
How could they
They from Jammu and Kashmir
How could they
They the Kashmiri pundits
Dwelling in the parts of Kashmir
Hailing from
Speaking their tongue
Of their custom, sect and creed originally?

Now sorry
Sorry to see them living as refugees
In camps sheltered, taken refuge
Away from their lands and places
Fearing terrorist attacks
Living as refugees
Driven from their homes and places
Are there no people to oppose
Are there no humanists to talk of
Their rights and liberties
Are there no people to think of positively
Treading democratic, humanistic lines?