Pahalgam: A Cry Against Hatred and Violence

Poetry

Pahalgam: A Cry Against Hatred and Violence

A powerful poetic plea to those fueling hate and war—reflecting on the tragedy in Pahalgam and the shattered lives left behind. When will humanity choose compassion?
Ravinder Sodhi
Ravinder Sodhi
April 29, 2025 · 3 Min Read

O you brave men or the most hateful individuals,Whether you are engaged in a religious war,Acting as the agents of some authority,Or dancing to the tunes of your Master's Voice,What have you accomplished?For money?Then ask the tailor to sew a pocket onto your last garment.If you believe you have months to live before reaching heaven,Realise that in pursuit of a paradise, that no one has seen,You have turned 'Heaven on Earth' into hell.Have you seen the image of the innocent face,Still adorned with chura in her arms,Henna on her hands, and the fragrance of fresh rose petalsShowered on her during…...

Sign in with Google to continue reading


💬 Meet Our Members

Domenico Fuoco

Domenico Fuoco

Antonius Bakker

Antonius Bakker

Antonius "Ton" Bakker, born May 23, 1961, in the Netherlands, is a…

A.K. Sinha

A.K. Sinha

M.D. physician, Shivani offers a profound, deeply insightful new lens on human…

Gouri T.P

Gouri T.P

Lukesh Umak

Lukesh Umak

Lukesh writes about his favorite topics, such as essay, poems, health, fitness,…

Aditi Rai

Aditi Rai

Aditi is just a teenager - exploring real world with words.

Support independent journalism. Your membership keeps us going.

O you brave men or the most hateful individuals,
Whether you are engaged in a religious war,
Acting as the agents of some authority,
Or dancing to the tunes of your Master's Voice,
What have you accomplished?
For money?
Then ask the tailor to sew a pocket onto your last garment.
If you believe you have months to live before reaching heaven,
Realise that in pursuit of a paradise, that no one has seen,
You have turned 'Heaven on Earth' into hell.

Have you seen the image of the innocent face,
Still adorned with chura in her arms,
Henna on her hands, and the fragrance of fresh rose petals
Showered on her during her marriage just days ago?
Now the head of her husband rests in her lap.
They came to Pahalgam to create beautiful memories of their marriage,
But what has become of that hope?
May the Almighty spare your loved ones from such a fate.

Reflect on what you truly gain from such actions.
Do you consider how the noble souls who have perished in this violence
Will console their families?
O Kings of the Kingdom of Hatred,
Cease this horrific war; do not play with the lives of innocent people.
O Heaven on Earth, today the lovers of humanity are ashamed of the actions of misguided individuals.
Grant them a sense of compassion, if you can.
◆ ◆ ◆
Pahalgam: A Cry Against Hatred and Violence
3 Min Read
Ravinder Sodhi
Written By

Ravinder Sodhi

Ravinder Singh Sodhi is a renowned Punjabi writer with seventeen published literary works, including plays, poetry, stories, and literary criticism. He has reviewed over five hundred books for various newspapers and magazines in Punjab, the UK, the USA, Australia, New Zealand, and Pakistan. Many of his stories have been translated into Hindi and featured in national Hindi magazines. Additionally, some of his stories have been transcribed into Urdu and published in Urdu newspapers in Pakistan. His collection of Punjabi plays was recognized as the best play of 1987 by the Punjab Language Department. He also writes in English, and several of his articles have been published in English newspapers in Canada and Australia.

Leave a Comment

Recent Poetry Dispatches
s2Member®
Longform Reads
View Submission Guidelines Submit your best longform stories