Betrayal Beyond Belief – Badri Raina Agreed you were Adi Indians, Long before the Aryans came; Agreed we made you Dalit To set off the conqueror’s name. Agreed you are illiterate, Agreed you have no say; Agreed you are untouchable, Agreed you are kept at bay. Agreed that our development Makes you resentful, red; Agreed, in fact, we prosper Upon your sweat and blood. Agreed we rape your women, Agreed we stray, at worst; Agreed you may not use our wells To quench your low-born thirst. Agreed our Constitution Is ours and ours alone; Agreed our hallowed temples Will not let you in. Agreed your land, your forest We grab, we chop, we burn; Agreed our banks, our markets Will never serve your turn. Even so, your villainous move To leave the Hindu fold – How could we ever forgive you Betrayal so beastly, bold? Go tell these priests who dupe you That all plants, animals, men Were created Sanaatan Hindus The minute the world began. Do you then prefer Christian ease To family atrocity? How traitorous, how ungodly Can this world of vermin be!
