Homage: Assassination of Mahatma Gandhi

Today, on 30 January , let me reproduce a few stanzas from my book: Ballad of Bapu, about Gandhiji's last day on earth. 

Gandhiji was a moral icon who stood for non violence and peace. These principles need to be resurrected, to set this fractured world right. 

Below are some passages of his last days from Ballad of Bapu (Vitasta Publishers).

---Santosh Bakaya

With the sorry state of things displeased

Lines of impatience on his forehead creased

It was not a figment of the imagination

But in the absorbing conversation

He had forgotten the prayer time, ire increased.

 Unpunctuality he could never brook.

 His rosary, spittoon, spectacles and note book

With a spurt of vigor

Manu picked up this wealth meager

And to   the ground a shortcut they took.

 Followed by two Congress leaders from Kathiawar

Who wanted a few minutes with this star.

In a mood worried

To the ground he hurried

And smilingly folded his hands in a Namaskar.

Fuming at the unprecedented delay

For which his walking sticks he tried to flay

Lovingly he talked

Briskly he walked

Unaware that he walked to his death that   day.

Lifting his hands and joining them in a salutation

He apologized for the delay, in consternation.

Unseen by him a man edged forward

Was he a mad man or a coward?

He whipped out a pistol, with no compunction.

Three shots he fired in quick succession

Dumb- 

founded was the prayer congregation

In horror they gaped

This time Gandhi had not escaped

There were roars of grief and lingering confusion.

---

Setu, January 2021