Blood congealed memories frozen
Vicious love like lava molten
Passion and lust pristine sheets
Racing skipping pounding heart beats
The smell and taste of lovers’ tongues
Deep breaths and bursting lungs

Too fatigued to move on
Too wired to lay low
Is it really love making
That I find so exhausting
Or does my love tear me apart
In more ways then I even know?

Some interesting questions raised... Though he is factully incorrect on Aricle 49-O, it does exist, he’s been looking in the wrong document.

Enjoy!

Dear Rasheeda,

I had the pleasure of reading your article in the Hindu Business Line, “They don’t speak for me”

I write to thank you on behalf of countless Indians like me who tire of arguing with the world on behalf of our Muslim brethren. Not that we need to argue on behalf on anybody – I’d rather let each voice speak for himself. But unfortunately the voices speaking for Muslims who refuse to tolerate and be associated with radical, violent ideology seem to be too few and far between.

We know they exist. We hear them in conversation. Once in a while we catch a glimpse of them on television and in newspapers. But perhaps because the negative voices are so much shriller, or perhaps because the law of averages simply dictates that the other voices are louder and more frequently heard, or for whatever other reason, the point is, we don’t hear Muslim voices discrediting this sort of behaviour often enough.

So we look for other clues and grasp at other straws to defend out ideology that this isn’t about a particular religion at all, it’s about humanity. Voices like yours are great ammunition for people like me. People who are consistently shocked and often even embarrassed by the thinly disguised intolerance and biases we see in our own homes and schools, among our friends, parents, relatives and teachers. Who would like to believe in a non-partisan, inclusive and fair world, but often have to turn a blind eye to the rot slowly setting in and seeping out from our very own homes and intimate circles. Who like to think and talk moderate liberal, but are unable to counter the deeply conservative and strident voices of our own loved ones.

Personally, each such testimony gives me a shot in the arm – because come what may, I am sure that I cannot allow myself or my child a moment’s doubt about whether or not I can trust my Muslim neighbour, friend, (ex)chauffeur, cook, nanny… to link their identity with that of the 26-11 animals would be, to say the least, preposterous.