Snobbery

Poem by Ali Ashhar

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On the eve of Independence
we sit in the garden and read newspaper
on the front page, we read how far we have come
we built world class schools, colleges and universities
we turn over the page…
on the next page, we read how someone was bullied
on the tone of colour in a school
we turn to next page and learn about the
modern hospitals and great infrastructures
while a news on the next column reads:
a person was subjugated in the name of religion
a few miles away from the parliament.

We go back to our room
we turn on the television,
there’s a debate going on:
some people part with one ideology,
while the other with another ideology
the debate ends in debacle
we turn off the television as
we get in our own debate—
she says fetters of snobbery still enslave us
as I nod in affirmation.

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Ali Ashhar is a poet, short story writer and columnist from Jaunpur, India. He is the author of the poetry collection, Mirror of Emotions (Notion Press, 2021). Following the release of his book, he was chosen as the Best Debut Author for the year 2021 by The Indian Awaz and was the recipient of a India Prime 100 Authors Award.