The Great Indian Circus

Contributor: Rachit Sharma 

I had an unnerving nightmare -

the world of media - all the scheming 

coming alive 

people spoke like, acted like, killed like 

they do behind the screens - the world looked scary 

the world looks scary 

I wonder if the Indian news anchors acted in their homes

the way they act in mine 

I wonder if a certain anchor who speaks for the nation 

speaks to her own daughters/nieces at home 

the way he slanders other women with his unchecked might

I wonder if they snooped in their neighbour's private chats 

while their parents, in the next room, ailing, dying

I wonder if they howl in their own drawing rooms 

to butcher their own children's minds 

I wonder if they use their privileges, in personal lives, 

to create designs 

that lie, cut, chop, mince consciousness 

and all its signs 

I am all certain that they avoid watching television 

to deny that one moment of reckoning 

where their conscience screams louder than 

the TRP chime.