Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Jan 8: A poem written by Jaleel Mukri on the present situation in Dakshina Kannada district has become a hit in social media.
Jaleel Mukri happens to be a non-resident Indian working in Saudi Arabia.
Currently he is on a visit to his native place, Uppinangadi, on leave.
Jaleel, who is 50, is disturbed by recent development in coastal districts of Karnataka. He has been dabbling in poetry since he was ten.
Jaleel Mukri
This poem of his, although satirical, hits a cord inside one's heart instantly because of its simple, penetrating language and it is bang on target. Perhaps, that is why it has become a craze in social media.
English Translation
Corpse wanted
Please help
Election is nearing
Want a corpse
Not of a human being
But of a Hindu
Or of a Muslim
Or of a Christian
I have a palace
My wealth will last for
Some more generations
Ambitions are natural
I wanna achieve more
Want a corpse
To reach my goal
Do not want a man
Killed by members of
His own community
Want a Hindu corpse
Killed by a Muslim
Want a dead body of Muslim
Murdered by a Hindu
Oh, election is fast approaching
Failed to feed the poor
To give shelter to homeless
To stop corruption
Am aware I did not keep up
The promises made
Wanna win one more time
Want a corpse
Poojary, Baliga, Ashraf
Danamma, Sharath, Deepak
And Basheer
Will fetch some votes
But more corpses needed
To come out victorious
In forthcoming polls
In the market of political parties
Amid competition to triumph
Corpses are sold
Dead people, murderers
Are up for auction
Please help
Cooperate kindly
Want a corpse
Want a corpse
Not of a human being
But that of a Hindu
Or of a Muslim
Or of a Christian
(Translated by Richie John Pais with permission from Jaleel Mukri)
Original Kannada version