When Nathu Ram shot dear Bapu dead,
Was he a terrorist or a patriot?
The answer lies in the hat you wear—
A white Gandhi topi or a black Nagpur fit.
But when an Abu son picks up the gun
For a purpose similar to Nathu Ram's,
What hat you wear is irrelevant—
He is simply a terrorist with arms.
So tell me what is true or false,
Kosher white or black as night?—
The things that are in effect done,
Or the opinion we hold of black and white?
Badri Raina