DESIRE AND DESPAIR DURING COMMUNAL – RIOTS IN BOMBAY:A STUDY OF IMTIAZ DHARKER'S SELECT POEMS

Abstract

The study is focused on the thematic concerns of communal–riots in the selected poems of Imtiaz Dharker. The desire to prove the supremacy of one religion or the other at any cost, results in despair and delirium is also the matter of concern of this study. The panorama of communal–violence is present in Dharker’s "Bombay: The Name of God," a section in her anthology, "Postcards from God." This section is replete with the description of communal– riots between Hindu and Muslim communities, particularly. The humanity soaked in the blood of its own during this cataclysmic event. The endless train of various types of atrocities such as blood-curdling and destruction in a world shattered to the soul by communal– violence, terrorist–bombing, arson, attempts for genocides and state sponsored atrocities of one kind or another in the name of religion and God, whose message to his creation is peace, pity and love for humanity. The cause of this conflict was the demolition of Babri Mosque on 6th December 1992. The impact of this demolition was observed in the form of whirl-of-violence throughout the nation, particularly in Mumbai, a city of Indian sub-continent. The anarchy has overpowered the nation. Humanity, humanvalues and innocence were on the mercy of ogre i.e. communal–riots. This section of Dharker's anthology reflects the meaninglessness of riots, the deteriorated human as well as moral values and states that how the human beings show unity within the limits of caste and religion to torture the people who belong to the religion other than theirs. Humanity as well as human beings are fated to suffer during this man-made catastrophe. Humanity and human-lives can never be nurtured under the shadow of fear, torture, bloodshed and many-other such type of horrendous events. Such incidents are like raptors to humanity and human values as well. But a question always haunts the conscience, is any religion is more important than innocent humanity and human beings? This section with the ghastly events and their results inspires the common people to avoid such horrific acts for the world, full of peace, pity, love and fellow-feelings for the whole creation of God.