The statue they craft is put inside the temple, but they are stopped at entrance, forbidden to worship!

[author title=”Sushant Kumar B.K. ” image=”https://sindhcourier.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sushant-Kumar-B-K-Nepal-Sindh-Courier-scaled.jpg”]Sushant Kumar B.K. is a Nepalese poet and freelance writer based in Gulariya, Bardiya, Nepal. He has master’s degrees in English Literature and Political Science from Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal. He writes poems in English and Nepali language. He has attended writing workshop jointly organized by Fulbright Nepal and Definitive Initiatives, Kathmandu. His poem “An Age of Paradox” has been published in an International Anthology, Pandemic Poetry 2020. His poems are featured in The Kathmandu Post, The Himalayan Times, The Gorkha Times, My Republica, Indian Periodical, Grey Thoughts, Borderless Journal and others. Recently, his poem “An Abstract Era” has been accepted by The Piker Press, USA. He can be contacted at bksushant26@gmail.com.[/author]

 

Dalits’ Dreams Deferring

The minds of Dalits [1]

Confuse,

Between countrymen

Or refugees,

As they receive

Different treatments,

Their glances

Are not

Reciprocated with smile!

Their presences

Are not

Welcomed with warmness

The statue they craft

Is put inside the temple

But they are stopped at entrance,

Forbidden to worship!

They are living like outsiders

In the same land,

That is filled with their own productive hands!

 

The eyes of Dalits,

Are exhausted,

Watching Inclusive democracy,

That never includes them

In equity and equality!

 

The vision of Dalits

Dark as the night,

As their poor economy

Deprived them from education!

 

The dreams of Dalits

For this new generation

A change to bring,

Discrimination to end,

Then someday,

All may stay under the same sky

Of love,

Of solidarity,

Of freedom,

Seems still deferring

Far . . . far . . . away

Every day!

__________________

[1] Dalits, the members of the lowest social group in the Hindu caste system who are also known as “untouchables”.

{This poem was originally submitted for poetry competition within Nepal organized by Leo Club of Kathmandu Central Town and was among the top ten finalists}