A Poem On Appeasement/Positive Secularism

Shaikh Mujibur Rehman writes a poem for Outlook.

Updated on: 14 May 2023 3:43 pm

Artwork by Anupriya

When rape becomes a political ritual
And criminals are let free;
When people cannot distinguish Gandhi from Godse;
Tell me
What Should I say?
Darkness is the Day.?
Darkness is the Day.

In this age of positive secularism—
Voice against rape is appeasement;
Voice against hate is appeasement;
Don’t ask me, please
Why am I silent?

In this age of positive secularism—
Hate is positive;
Rape is positive;
Violence is positive;
Inequality has been positive.

Tell me?
What Should I say?
Darkness is the day.
Darkness is the Day.
This is all I could say.
This is all I say.

(Dr Rehman teaches at Jamia Millia Islamia, a central university in New Delhi. He is the author of a forthcoming book, Shikwa-e-Hind: Political Future of Indian Muslims.)