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NOVEL

CLAMOUR
A Novel by Ashwini Ahuja

Lead up story: Dhobi Ghat area which later renamed Muslim Colony because of the community’s dominance. Initially, Julia because of a Christian woman faces trouble in getting a house on rent in the colony but she is humble and loves all religions people, makes a place for herself in the heart of community people. She, despite a Christian woman, befriends fascist RSS man Krishan Ji because, with his inspiration, she persuaded her hubby to pray at Hanumanji Temple to get a child as doctors declare the lady is barren. Meanwhile, the couple gets a child wrapped in messy towel rags in the garbage at Dhobi Ghat area which someone might have dumped after its illicit birth. Julia is thankful to Krishanji because of his goodwill towards her and meets her frequently. Rehman, her husband is suspicious and does not like his wife’s relationship with RSS man. Krishan Ji, the other way, shapes the child for RSS Shakha. Then, due to certain reasons, Rehman disappeared. The child is christened in father’s absence. As he grows, he feels himself drifting between two worlds. What his RSS mentor Krishan ji teaches him doesn’t fit into his Christian school’s study. Rohit, a new boy tries to spoil Kabir, Both Julia and Krishan ji protect him. Rohit dislikes RSS and calls RSS men detractors of secular fabric of India. Kabir too notices some RSS men hurl abuses over Christians. Krishanji too baits him against Muslims but Kabir does not shake at all.

Chapter Seven

PROVOCATION

Julia mummy instead had taught Kabir that he should always struggle to get the country on high esteem. Although Maria auntie voiced swayamsevaks -an anti western-culture gang but Krishan ji eulogised the swayamsevaks- a respite for India. Kabir listened to Maria auntie as well as Krishan ji. Sometimes, Maria auntie blathered long to him over phone. She asked Kabir to get rid of RSS forever. She would have explained to Kabir that she had watched a website in USA where they had awarded RSS- a terrorist outfit.

Krishan ji did not have trust in websites particularly produced in USA. He blatantly countered to Maria’s remarks and named her ‘cerebral prostitute’ despite knowing she was Julia’s sister. Julia remained sulked over the issue as Krishan ji complained to Julia with a dopey expression in his eyes why she did not ban her sister for wrongdoings.

“I’ve nothing to do with her modus operandi” Julia said jadedly.

“Modus operandi?” Krishan ji grew static. The word ‘modus operandi’ was un-stomach-able but he stomached it anyway and decoded the altered meaning of the word exploring a gleam in Julia’s broad eyes.

“Thank you” He mellowed. Tactile Krishan ji took her both hands in his and smiled and noticed a tear streaming down her left cheek. He did not wipe out it as usual. He walked off cooingly. After that, Kabir studied that Krishan ji more often than not began to exhort his shakha swayamsevaks.

“Dear Swayamsevaks- don’t believe in them. They are anti-Hindu people. America is our bitter enemy.  Let the gloom fall on them.”  Kabir hated his words- let the gloom fall on them- but did not resist. Krishan ji continued.

“RSS people are indeed well wishers to the nation and they expect enhancement of India’s glory.” After a pause, Krishan ji focussed on Kabir.

“Kabir, tell your auntie what I say to you”

“Yes sir” Kabir murmured contemplating why not Krishan ji himself rang up to her.

“It is the only RSS that believes in unity for India”

“Really sir.” Kabir asked amazingly, growing in chaos what to believe or what to not.

“If you don’t believe, ask your mother.”

“Yes sir, I must ask” Kabir said and began to think something seriously.

“And ask your mother if she likes to establish a Hindu nation in India?” At this, Kabir shook. How could he ask this stupid question to mother? He knew that India was and is not a country of only Hindus. It is the country of all religions people living in this country. Either they are Hindus or Muslims or Christians or Jews or Buddhists or Sikhs or migrants. Then he looked into Krishan ji’ petulant eyes.

“How can we establish India a Hindu Nation. Is it possible, sir?” Kabir asked in a jiffy. Krishan ji smiled between moustaches.

“Everything is possible, if we flee out Muslim or slay them.” He spoke intriguingly and wiped his moustaches with the back of his hands.

“Who will slay the Muslim?” Kabir spoke unpretentiously with a little characteristic quirk.

“You will slay. Won’t you?”

“No”

“But I shall slay and every Hindu dreaming of India- a Hindu nation will slay them. They are swine. Aren’t you a true Hindu?”

“I’m. But I hate violence and, every secular Indian hates violence except you. I can not kill anybody either he is Muslim or not” Kabir said daringly. He paused for a while. He was astonished, sulked and deeply hurt.

“Why?”  

“What is why?” He was straightforward.

“Means… you defy RSS dogmas”

“No.” Kabir scowled as he stared away.

“You are unable to figure out RSS dogma instead” He challenged him. Krishan ji held his hands and guffawed.

“Dear Kabir, I play jokes with you, child.” Kabir unbelievingly stared into his eyes. He grew muted, sulked.

“Indeed we don’t believe in killing. We believe in good relations and friendship” Krishan ji took him in his hug and experienced a slight sense of guilt for what he had articulated hastily. But Kabir could well understand what was cooking his mentor- Krishan ji’s bigoted mind.

“Sorry Kabir, if I hurt you.” Krishan ji put hands on his shoulders. Never before Kabir was such as brutishly hurt. Uncontrolled, he at once grew furious and shrieked.  Some mysterious things seemed haunted him.

“My father was Muslim who had slain him. If someone RSS man had slain him?” Tears ran down his cheeks. Krishan ji flabbergasted. It was an unexpected question and an accusation on RSS. His face trembled forming a twist on lips. He felt the marrow melting inside his bones with fear and shock.

“Kabir…” He shivered.

“Don’t throw away your heart, my child.”  

“I know all RSS men are Hindu militants. They are adamant to killing Muslims folks.” Kabir elbowed him back.

“No, Kabir…no… you think wrong. You are also Hindu- a RSS man. A swayamsevak. A social activist. Ask yourself, are you militant?”

“No, I am not militant.”

“My child, how can we be militants? No RSS man can be a militant” Kabir stared away. He seemed not satisfied with the answer.

“My child, you are a Hindu and I promise Rehman is my friend and I shall find him, any day.” An assurance reflected in his tone.

“He is for sure alive, Kabir.” He said as his throat fell down and forehead smeared with sweat. Kabir relaxed. He recalls, once his American auntie Maria advised mummy to leave India with Rehman otherwise Hindu fanatics would kill her husband. In America, she had the news on television channels that RSS militants were hungry for destabilising the secular fabric of India. Julia mummy was exceedingly mild and religious lady, cuddled Muslim women. She did not believe in these rubbishes. She had an enormous faith in Jesus.

Kabir came back home with worn out heart. Had Krishan ji really played a joke with him? He thought for long. Krishan ji had assured him that he would find his father oneday. Really. Was he sincere or befooling him? He was sincere, Julia assured him. But his heart was not agreed with mummy. His heart was flooded with doubts. At night, Julia mummy soothed him and pleaded him to forget the things happened inadvertently. And Kabir obediently tried to forget that took him three four struggling days despite knowing nothing was inadvertent.

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