Karam-bhoomi
Sushil was restlessly
walking outside the office waiting for the Accountant. After spending few minutes out he again comes back
inside the office.
"Ma'am What time
Jagdish Saab will come? Will he be coming or not ?"
"I have called up
on his mobile he is on the way." Sunita replies looking up at clock in
front of the reception counter.
"Pls give me his
new mobile number. I shall come back in evening after giving him a call from
PCO. I have to deliver the materials urgently"
" Okay"
Sunita writes his mobile number on a piece of paper and pass it
to Sushil. He comes out putting the
paper inside his upper pocket of his ragged shirt. He wipes off the sweats of
his face through ragged cotton towel and
slang it back on his shoulder.
"Kaleem" He
calls his companion, a 17 years boy who
assists him loading and unloading of materials
Sushil leans down,
grasps the two front handles of laden cart. lifts it and moves slowly having
made his way towards the main road. After crossing the hurdles on the way both
reach to the destination. Both unloads the materials inside the warehouse.
" Pls sign on this
paper " Sushil says to Gopal who
was counting the unloaded materials.
"Saab, Will the
market remain closed tomorrow?' Sushil
asks having folded signed delivery note
" Yes, I have also
read newspaper and news are also coming on TV"
"People are saying Bandh may vitiate the
peace of the city " Sushil says rolling up the sleeves of his shirt later
wipes his sweats from his towel
" Dont worry, take
rest tomorrow " Gopal replies smilingly moving back to his office room.
Kaleem comes foreword
lifted empty cart and came out from the warehouse Sushil follows him. After
walking couple of minutes in chock & block
street both stop in front of tea stall. Kalim stands the cart in corner.
Sushil orders for two cup of tea.
"Now we have to
pick up the materials from Alvira Distributors." Kaleem asks sipping tea.
" Yes "
Sushil nodded.
"Some untoward
will definitely happen tomorrow. See the back records of organization which has
called for shut down" One says sitting beside Sushil on the table out of
tea stall.
"They have been
distributing pamphlet since yesterday. Contents are very provocative and see
the apathy of administration, no action
is being taken against them" Tea Stall owner said looking back at the
customer.
" Killing of
innocents is no doubt heinous crime but spreading the hatred through this way
create more hatred" Sushil jumps in
the discussion.
"But whatever
happened in jagjitpur was completely genocide, singling out the people of
particular religion and killing them is an absolute inhuman activity" Tea stall owner said
passing tea cup to another customer.
" Some injured
have also been brought in city hospital"
Sushil looks up at Kaleem
who was standing behind him listening their conversation. Sushil brings out his
mobile from his pocket of trouser to see the time.
"11.30" he
murmurs. He drops couple of coins in the hand of the tea shop owner and
directed Kaleem to move.
"Don’t come
tomorrow " Sushil looks up at Kaleem who was pulling empty cart beside
him.
Both are taking long
steps so that they reach within stipulated time to pick up the goods. vehicles
are moving as usual, He keeps instructing
kaleem not to come in the middle of the road. He observes closely the
Van of RAF which passed beside him which he had not seen in all these days.
Perhaps it was signal that administration was also preparing itself to control
the situation.
After delivering the
goods on specified destination both come back to assembling point where cart
pullers normally gather. Both finish
their lunches.
"Anees "
Sushil call on one of them.
He continues " How
is the atmosphere of market"
"Everywhere people
were discussing about tomorrow’s bandh. Panic of possibility of reaction of
Jagjitpure's incidence spreading out
everywhere" Anees says showing concern.
" It means
tomorrow we will have to confine inside the room"
" Do you have any
pick up right now and how is Kaleem doing. Pls take care of him"
" No, I don’t have
any pick up. In fact i have to go to collect my dues from Sarojini Apparels at
Vasant road. Company pays me fortnightly and don’t worry Kaleem is doing fine"
" Why dont you
purchase your own cart. How long will you be
working on hired one"
" You are right i
am also considering over it" Sushil replied smilingly
" Okay See you
after tomorrow" Anees says slinging the towel on his right shoulder and
heads towards his cart.
Sushil brings out the
piece of paper from his pocket and dials number. He speaks with Accountant
regarding the payments then he moves towards Kaleem who was lying on the cart closing his eyes
"Kaleem, go home
and come after tomorrow. I am going to Sarojini apparels to collect dues"
Sushil tells him having handed over some currency notes in his hands. Kaleem
counts the currency notes then goes away. Sushil looks at mobile
He mumbles " I have to reach by 5 otherwise
i shall miss him again" he lifts the cart and head towards main road. He
stands his cart to the place, locks it properly. He catches the bus to vasant
road. He reaches half an hour before the
time Jagdish had given to him. Sushil stops at the gate of office as he
saw receptionist going out from the office. He interrupts her on the way
" Madam. is
Jagdish Saab present inside?"
"No He is gone
somewhere" Sunita replies giving a soft smile.
Sushil looks on his
mobile it's 5 clock. He spends sometime
out walking around then he gets inside to check. Jagdish had not yet come so he calls up again to him.
" i am chocked up
in the way. It shall take half an hour more. if I don’t come within half an hour them meet me tomorrow"
" But Saab
tomorrow market will remain closed"
"Okay then meet me
after tomorrow"
"Pls sir, I have
urgent need of money"
"Then You shall have
to wait for me. Don’t worry i have your money with me."
Reply of Jagdish gives
him bit solace. He again begins to walk impatiently. As soon as he stops at tea
stall on lane of road. A commotion attracts his attention which was coming from
far away. he turns back to ascertain the causes of noise. People were running
helter -skelter over both side of lanes.
" What
happened" Sushil asked to a passerby who was taking long steps
" Something has
happened on back roundabout" He replied
Sushil instead of
listening more started to run with others. shops owners had started shutting down their shops. He looks at road,
vehicles were colliding with each other, Honking of vehicles, noises emanating
out from the running people had created bizarre atmosphere. Somewhere parts of
broken glass of vehicles are strewn on th road. He along with other keeps
running straight on path. He looks at some entering into side street, sushil
was unable to decide if he should enters into side street or go straight into
main road. He is new in that area. He is unaware of the streets, a lot of dreadful
thinking begins to come into his mind. He stops and enters into next street,
His fear gets diminished to an extent when he looks at the temple in his way,
He is now in the area of his own community. He thinks he doesn’t need to fear.
Yet he is stranger in this locality.
People began to gather on street after closing their shops, he doesn’t ask any
body as to where this street goes. He is taking long steps with some others. Suddenly
his eye stops at old building, a landmark few days back he came to deliver the
goods. He now knows how to reach his room safely, what roots will be safe for
him. He stops for a minute. There is now no commotion in that area though
vehicles were running fast on the road. people are gathered every corner of the
street. Nobody knows what exactly had happened which causes of commotion.
He looks again on his
mobile it was 8.30. He comes under the shade of bus stoppage just then a police
jeep passes in front of him having announced that article 144 has been imposed
in the city. He understands gravity of situation. He wants to reach soon on his
room. His anxiety gets reduced when he rides on the bus. He peeps out from the
bus he finds strewn broken glasses two or more places on his way to his
destination.
Sushil feels relaxed
when he comes to his locality. People are still gathered on street. He finds
huge rush of people near the shops in the street. He doesn’t understand
why have they gathered in shops.
"Why are so
gathering in shops" Sushil asks one
of them who was standing near the shop.
He smilingly
replies" People are accumulating food items for precautionary
measures"
Sushil heads to next
street where he meets his room mate standing in corner.
" Why are you so late ? " Rakesh asks him
" I got stuck on
the way" Sushil replies with a soft
smile. He wipes out his face with towel.
" We also got to
wrap up our work" Sunil says showing concern. He continues
"There are a lot
of panics in the markets. In my area shop owners begun to shut their shops very
early. They got some news of violence in Vasant Road."
" I am coming from
same place. But i didn’t come across any sort of violence, yes people were
running helter- skelter i was also one of them. Nobody was giving reason behind
sudden commotion"
"All person from
our next room left for station. They are afraid of being trapped. See the people
have begun purchasing necessary commodities lest curfew impose tomorrow"
Jaesh says showing his concern.
" Nothing will
happen. All are the result of panic, rumor" Sushil mumbles. He moves away bringing out mobile
from his pocket and dials the number. He comes back after couple of minutes.
" Whom did you
call up" Rakesh inquires.
"I had gone Vasant
Road to collect my dues. I couldn’t meet the concerned person . He told me to
come at his home in early morning. He is very propitious" Sushil says
showing happiness. He continues.
"I am also bit
concern of tomorrow. So i requested him. Perhaps he also realized my problems
that is why he told me to collect money from his house"
"Did he give his
address of his house" Sunil questions
" Yes, He gave me his address it is not far
away"
All come back to his
room. After finishing their dinner they lay on their beds. Sushil again looks
on his mobile it was about to 11oclock. He knew that tonight also he would not
be able to sleep properly. He remembers the conversation he had with his wife
two days back. The promises which he had committed to her. He was determined
that he will not disappoint anyhow and
he will never leave the city where he had
came 8 months back. He thinks about the times his crops have been washed
away by the floods in the village and how he had to come in the city to earn
for livelihood. He smiles when he thinks about his 4 years old daughter.
He begins to think
about the turbulent arose in aftermath
of genocide in adjacent district. He thinks will he be able to materialize his plan incase present
situation takes ugly turn. He thinks about
mass exodus of migrants from the city in last communal
riots 5 year back. Five years back he met his many co villagers at a time in village
when they returned to their home
Sushil tosses up to his
right. His other friends had already
slept. He sets the alarm of next day early morning so so that he reach before sunset. He thinks
that all disruptive activities of the organization will start after 9 in
morning so he plans to reach before it. During this period a lot of thought
kept visiting in her mind he didn’t realize when he fell asleep.
He gets up on noise of
the alarm bell. He splashes water on his mouth, wipes away his face from the
cotton towel, slinging back towel on his
shoulder he comes out from room. He glances at the road, few police personnel
were sitting on the chairs at the corner
of street. He moves slowly towards main road and stops at bus stand. After
waiting couple of minutes he catches the bus and reaches at destination.
He gets surprised when
Sushil looks at Jagdish standing at the gate of his house as if waiting for
him.
" I knew you would
come early in morning" Jagdish says taking out an envelop from pocket of
his shirt.
" Count it and
sign on this voucher" He said passing the envelop to him.
"Thanks you
Saab" Sushil replies receiving the envelop later he writes his name on the
voucher.
"Did you count it
properly"
" Yes Saab"
Sushil nodded in a gesture of gratitude.
" Take Care "
Jagdish says smilingly.
Sushil takes long step
and heads towards bus stand. He feels happy that he now saved up the required
amount for the purpose and if situation remains calm & normal he can also
send it to his wife through money order
as per his commitment. He catches the bus and reaches at his room safely.
Sushil along with
Rakesh prepare for lunch just then Sunil
enters in room.
" There is
report of violence in Anand Nagar. Police
have also fired several rounds"
"Anand Nagar"
Sushil asks surprisingly. After a pause he begins
" Kaleem lives in
same locality he works with me"
" Lets see what
happens otherwise we will also have to leave for station if situation takes
ugly turn" Jayesh says showing concern
After finishing their
lunch all take rest instead of going out to ascertain the situation.
" if administration
gets alert nothing will happen" Sushil say lying on bed
" By all means we
have to suffer most" Sunil says earnestly
" Picture will get
clear by evening" Sushil says tossing upon his bed.
In the evening, all
come out from room and head towards street. They are stopped in midway by
Ranjan owner of the room.
" Two have been
killed in police firing in Anand Nagar" Ranjan informs them
" Any news from
other places" Sunil interrupts.
" No news of violence
except Anand Nagar. Everything is fine" Ranjan replied moving ahead.
They walk towards main
road. Police van was standing near roundabout. Shops on main road were still
closed.They spend couple of minutes walking around then come back inside their
room.
After dinner they again
come out to ascertain the situation. People were discussing about Anand Nager's
incident. They realize that situation is normal so they can resume their works
from tomorrow.
Next day all leave for
their respective destination. Sushil reaches to the place from where his hectic
day begins. His other friends unlock their carts and go away. He looks at his
mobile. he murmurs " He should have come by now" he goes ahead stops
at newspaper vendor he purchases " Karambhoomi" he goes through the
heading
" Two Killed in
Police Firing in Anand Nagar. Situation is under control" Saays City SSP
He stands abruptly
" One killed in
firing is 17 years old boy Kaleem of Sambhalpure of Poorvanchal.
" Kaleem!"
He looks around no cart
puller was standing there. He immediately brings out his mobile dials number of
Anees. He puts down newspaper on cart, begins to walk restlessly. he dials
again but he gets no response as mobile of Anees was engaged.
Sushil locks his cart.
He hurriedly moves to bus stand to catch the bus for Anand Nagar. He doesn’t believe in the
news. He dials again on his number.
" Anees ! Just now
i read news. is this true?"
" Yes. His friend
informed me last night. I am in Anand Nagar"
Sushil disconnects the
line. He peeks out through the bus window. Atmosphere looks normal. Vehicles
are running as usual, People are walking as usual on both sides of the road.
All the shops are open. He recall the day Anees introduced Kaleem a shy, polite.
" You were
searching for young boy to assist you. This is Kaleem " Anees indicated
Kaleem was standing beside him. After a pause he continued
" He is also your
neighbor"
" From which village
you belong" Sushil interrupted
"
Samphalpure" Kaleem replied slowly.
" Sambhalpure ?
That village was also badly effected in recent flood" Sushil said looking
at Anees
" That is why his
father has sent him. He is living with his friends in Anand Nagar"
" Okay, Come from
tomorrow" Sushil nodded
Bus stops at stand. he
unconsciously asks to conductor"
" Anand Nagar
"
"Next Stop"
Conductor replied having moved ahead.
Sushil begins to think
about Kaleem. He remembers every moment what he had spent with him. His
punctuality, the way he obediently followed the instruction, Kaleem never
disappointed him from his work.
Sometimes he would realize as if his son was working with him when he looks at
his sincerity in performing his duties. He doesn’t believe in when thought of
kaleem comes into his mind
He gets down from the
bus at Anand Nagar. He soaks up tear rolling down on his face from his towel. He doesn’t know
whom he will condole on his death............since he himself was playing
the role of his father here.......He doesn’t want to go in details to know how it happened...... He knows only one thing
that a young innocent boy who had come here to earn for livelihood in the city
fell prey of communal politics, a politics of Masjid and Mandir.
End
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