Saturday 12 December 2009

So you are a woman, and you want to carry guns? Ha ha ha!



This article appeared in the Hindustan Times dated December 5, 2009.
You can get it online:

So you are a woman, and you want to carry guns? Ha ha ha!
So you want to be in the services? Ha ha ha!
So you want to get married too? Ha ha ha!

So you want to be a cop despite having two children? Ha ha ha!
So you are part of the country's elite forces, CRPF? Ha ha ha!

So you cleared the Senior Under Officer Cadre Course in 1998? Ha ha ha!
So you passed, but your peers got promoted unlike you? Ha ha ha!

So you have been posted to Srinagar, away from home in Uttaranchal? Ha ha ha!
So you head the constabulary in the CRPF in Srinagar? Ha ha ha!

So you want to do justice to the khaki? Ha ha ha!
So you think you can fight off terrorists? Ha ha ha!
So you confronted six terrorists at Srinagar airport eight years ago? Ha ha ha!

So you still went ahead and fought when you have a third child in your womb? Ha ha ha!
So you lost your child and you are still nursing your injuries, since eight years? Ha ha ha!

So you were denied promotion owing to your raw injuries and thus a raw body? Ha ha ha!
So a gallantry award recommended was turned down by the Defence Ministry? Ha ha ha!
So your lawyer and husband fought a lengthy case in the courts for you? Ha ha ha!

So you've got all the promotions due since 11 years? Ha ha ha!
So the CRPF will pay a compensation of Rs 11,000 to you? Ha ha ha!

But you battled the injuries --

to your upbringing,
to your womb,
to your khaki,
to your family,
to your pride,
to your duty --

And you succumbed, before you could see the wounds being healed by Goddess Justitia, Goddess Themis, Goddess Dike?

Ha ha ha!