A Burning

by Megha Majumdar

The public is wanting blood. The media is wanting death. All around me, that is what people are saying. The public is killing her.

And Azad has not come to see me even once. I am wiping my tears on my dupatta. I was forced to, my heart, is he not knowing that? It was not me who was throwing him out. It was this society. This same society which is now screaming for the blood of innocent Jivan, only because she is a poor Muslim woman.

Later my man says, opening the small icebox and hauling out a chicken, “But where is the beef?”

But we can only guide them, inspire them. At the end of the day, are they our puppets? No. So what can we do if they raise their hand, if they decide to beat someone, if they feel angry?”

Historically, education strategy has focused on syllabi—altering syllabi to tell the histories that serve the ruling party.

He continues, “With all respect, we have to take care of the people before taking care of the ideology. Through people is how we will spread ideology, not by neglecting them.”