A03 Readings from the Fringes
M 1
Constitution, Democracy, Freedom
The Objectives Resolution - Jawaharlal Nehru
India is an independent, sovereign, republic.
India shall be a Union of erstwhile British Indian territories, Indian States, and other parts outside British India and the Indian States as are willing to be a part of the Union.
Territories forming the Union shall be autonomous units and exercise all powers and functions of the Government and administration, except those assigned to or vested in the Union.
All powers and authority of sovereign and independent India and its constitution shall flow from the people.
All people of India shall be guaranteed and secured social, economic, and political justice; equality of status and opportunities and equality before the law; and fundamental freedoms – of speech, expression, belief, faith, worship, vocation, association and action – subject to law and public morality.
The minorities, backward and tribal areas, depressed and other backward classes shall be provided adequate safeguards.
The territorial integrity of the Republic and its sovereign rights on land, sea, and air shall be maintained according to justice and law of civilized nations.
The land would make a full and willing contribution to the promotion of world peace and the welfare of mankind.
Translated by Siddharth Tanti
And how many more days this way, democracy?
Head down, on bended knees, with eyes closed
No end to your mutilation
No end to your humiliation
I hear your bedlam, democracy.
How I love you with my life
I see your lips sewed together
Your eyes covered with a blindfold.
I wish to speak out, yet I cannot
Perhaps harm befalls you
I desire to ask, yet I cannot
For fear it will offend.
Democracy, so much darkness inside your home
Yet outside I see a riot of light
Democracy, I wish you a long life
One day before you become barren
One day before you turn bloody
Let me speak out for you
Democracy, before you weep
May I erase myself from your heart.
Sameer Tanti was born in the Mikirchang Tea Estate, a division of Behora Tea Estate, in Assam. The Guwahati-based writer has published twelve collections of poetry, three collections of literary and critical essays and edited two collections of short stories on the partition of India and on fascism amongst many other projects. His work has been recognised by multiple prizes including the Chaganlal Jain Literary Award and the Assam Valley Literary Award. His poem was inspired by the expectations that remain unfulfilled decades after Independence and by the exclusion, apathy and suppression that prevent India from being truly free.
How many more days, Democracy? (YouTube)
Sameer Tanti