Onus on us!

They fell her down

Crack her crown

Crush her neck

Break her back…

 

Invade her flesh

Treat her like trash

Flaunting bigoted pride

… with us on their side!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

Who treat it just as fuss   

They do the dark deed

But on our logic they feed!

 

We insist she is safe in the cage

Where too lurks the rapist rage

We ask her to restrain and hide

And we stand on the silent side!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

Who don’t want to discuss

If things are getting worse

It is due to the way we nurse!

 

We don’t identify the real source

No attempts to change the course

We all need to unlearn and reform

For the situation to truly transform!

 

Yes! The onus is on us!

To stop being superfluous

By accepting our culpability

We will get closer to sanity!

 

Why should the victim feel the shame?

While the assaulters escape the blame?

When we ask the right questions in time

Answers will reveal our collective crime!

 

Yes! The onus is truly on us!

Get off the whataboutery bus

Humanity has to have a single side

Where justice and dignity can reside

 

Do not defend the indefensible

Be responsive and responsible

Stand with victim not with brutes

Or admit onus of being in cahoots!

Or admit onus of being in cahoots!

~ Pravin K. Sabnis