Arindam’s satirical poem exposes leaders debating the song Vande Mataram while the nation burns, ignoring urgent poverty, unemployment, and climate crises for political theatre, for Different Truths.

In the hallowed halls of Parliament's might,
Where egos clash under the chandelier's light,
They gathered to sing of Vande Mataram's grace,
While the nation's real fires burnt without a trace.
 
"Oh, Nehru said this!" cried one with a sneer,
"Jinnah thought that!" yelled another, full of cheer.
Back and forth they bickered, 150 years on,
Debating a song from dusk until dawn.
 
Meanwhile, the farmers wilt in the sun,
Prices soar high; jobs, good luck finding one!
Floods rage in the east, droughts scorch the west,
But who cares? Let's argue history's bequest!
 
Taxpayers' rupees flow like monsoon rain,
Funding this farce, this theatrical pain.
PM thunders praise, opposition fights back,
All for a tune—now that's quite the act!
 
Vande Mataram, motherland we hail,
But while you debate, the ship starts to fail.
Perhaps next session, they'll sing about bills,
Or nah, more drama—politics' cheap thrills!
 
So, here's to the leaders, in suits crisp and fine,
Wasting our dough on a patriotic line.
If only their zeal matched the issues at hand,
We'd have a real anthem: "Face the demand!"

Picture design by Anumita Roy

Arindam Roy

Arindam Roy has over four decades of experience in various newsrooms of renowned media houses. He is the Founder, Publishing Director, Editor-in-Chief of Different Truths, and Kavya Kumbh Publishing Consultant (KKPC). He has co-authored ten chapters in six Coffee Table Books (CTBs) of national and international repute and is the sole author of four forthcoming CTBs (Times Group). He has also published four international poetry anthologies as the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, participated in several poetry and literary festivals, and won awards and accolades. Arindam co-authored the novel Rivers Run Back with an American writer. He stays in Bangalore and Prayagraj.

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