Representation of People’s Ordinance

a poem by Hiren Shah

One issue that should have come into more limelight and shot into prominence.
Is the Representation of people’s ordinance.

If there is one step which as citizens, threatens our dignified existence
It is the representation of people’s ordinance.

If there is one most retrograde step since Independence,
It is the Representation of people’s ordinance.

If one were to point out one of the biggest causes of misgovernance
It is the representation of people’s ordinance.

Mr Shourie, Mr Jaitley, Mr Kalam; what is the purpose of having people of such eminence;
If they could not stop the representation of people’s ordinance.

Everybody wants to guard their own turf; that seems their only preference.
Who cares about the citizen, otherwise why take out such an ordinance?

In the case of Gujarat, Election commission and supreme court offered some Resistance
Who is going to save us from the Representation of people’s Ordinance?

Such steps have to be nipped in the bud immediately on entrance;
How can one be indifferent to the Representation of people’s ordinance?

The haste and manner in which they passed a subject of such importance;
An ulterior motive cannot be ruled out in the representation of people’s ordinance.

Such an issue requires the utmost reflection, introspection and diligence;
It was returned “as it is” to the president as if it was some inconsequential ordinance.

Just because the so called consensus has been achieved by the political class
Does it mean that the ordinance should pass.

It is quite obvious than on such issues the political class will not budge.
On an issue that affects them directly and adversely, how can they be their own judge?

The citizen has received a severe slight.
The people and the press have given up without a fight.

If one were to conclude, then let me say in sum and substance;
On such an issue, the media should have exhibited more persistence

This ordinance has staged a strange precedent.
Maybe we could do with more executive powers for our president.

Sorry Mr Prime Minister, I respect and admire you both as a person and as a poet.
Things have gone too far, it was difficult to remain quiet.

Where inner party democracy is concerned, BJP is really a party with a difference;
Then by bringing about such an ordinance, why be so vary of a citizen’s dissidence?

You claimed to be the party with a difference,
As far as the citizen is concerned, this is the biggest indifference.