23. The true meaning of Jihad

CHAPTER 23

The true meaning of Jihad

Moving forward and standing in front of Jamir, Hakeem said, “You are born in this country, you live in this country and you die in this country. Giving the excuse of jihad you are doing anti-national deeds to this very country which is like a mother to you. Eh, I am a pure Muslim, who does namaz five times a day. Not only that I have read the most sacred text in the world the Koran at least thousand times. I read it daily.”

Hammering on Jamir’s chest, Hakeem said, “Do you know the true meaning of the word ‘Jihad’? Jihad does not mean putting bombs in trains, gullies and bazaars and killing innocent people. Jihad means sacred war. To protect justice. What are you all becoming? You are becoming murderers. You are bringing a bad name to all of us.”

Pointing with two hands, Hakeem said, “I am the only Muslim in this forest. Yet these tribals have built a Masjid for me so that I can do namaz five times a day. Such was the mind of the Indians. How can you people do injustice to such a country like India?”

Touching the ground, Hakeem said, “My India is great. I am praying daily to Allah that I may be born again and again in this country.”

Crying with hand on the ground, Hakeem said to Durga, “My dear, Allah will never forgive such anti-nationals like this fellow. They all will go to hell.”

Chikka came and patted on Hakeem’s back. Both hugged each other. All were silent. Jamir watched with tears in his eyes.

Going near Jamir, pointing to Durga,  Chikka said, “ She has given you offering of life.”

Going near Durga, Chikka said, “You have given him offering of life. Now you only tell what punishment we must give him.”

All were waiting for Durga to speak. Jamir was looking at Durga lovingly with tears in his eyes.

Durga said, “Uncle, please release. Let him return to his children. Let him live as father and mother to those motherless children.”

Looking at the villagers, Chikka ordered, “Release him.”

Villagers released Jamir.

Chikka said, “Our Durga has given you an offering of life. Go. At least from now on instead of doing anti-national deeds in the name of jihad live as father and mother to your motherless children.”

Pointing to Durga, Chikka said, “As this motherly Durga has said.”

Jamir was looking at Durga lovingly with tears in his eyes. Going near her with folded hands, Jamir said, “Daughter Durga, you are really a mother. You have become 2^nd mother to me. You have forgiven me as a mother. By giving me the offering of life you have saved my children. Your heart is so great.”

He looked at the sky, the forest and at the tribals. Finally he looked at Durga.

“All the religions in the world say that even when man dies, his soul does not die.”

With tears in his eyes, Jamir, “But today do you know what has happened to me because of your words? My body is alive but my soul is dead.”

He put his head on the ground and cried.

Sitting down and looking at Durga, Jamir said, “Mother, you have enlightened me. I have understood the real meaning of Jihad because of you. Jihad means sacrificing one’s life for the country in which one is born. I have understood this now. Those terrorists put all sorts of wrong thoughts about Jihad in my mind. I was convinced that killing innocent people and doing anti-national deeds was Jihad. But now I understand. I am happy that I was born in such a sacred land like India.”

Taking the mud in his hands and putting it to his eyes, Jamir said, “My India is great.”

He got up. “I am ready to sacrifice my life for this country. I will try to convert people who are moving on the wrong path like me.”

Saluting, Jamir, “My India is great. Jai India. Jai hind”

Villagers said, “My India is great. Bharat mata ki jai.”

THIS IS THE GREATNESS OF INDIA.

THIS IS THE GOLDEN HEART OF INDIANS.

Let us correct those who have gone to wrong path.

*******************************************************************************
                                                      THE END
****************************************************************************** 

22. Durga refuses to burn

CHAPTER 22

Durga refuses to burn

This man whom the villagers had tied to a tree was not Jaidev. He was Jamir, a terrorist. Krishna had seen him when he had removed the cloth over this face. Jamir was the leader of the terrorist gang that had visited Dodda Naik’s hut that night. And it was Jamir who had killed Dodda Naik and also his wife Jhansi. When Krishna had told the villagers about the real face of Jaidev, they had become very angry. Now they were ready to burn Jamir to death. And they had given the task to Durga who had become an orphan because of the act of Jaidev alias Jamir.

Durga was approaching the Jamir with the burning torch in her hand staring at him.

Behind her, the villagers shouted loudly, “Jai Durga jai Durga.”

Durga was behaving as if she was possessed. The drummer was also beating the drum as if he was possessed. One man was blowing the shell. Jaidev was shivering with fear. Durga was moving ahead alone. All were behaving as if they were affected with mass hysteria. All were waiting for the Jamir to burn to ashes. Durga was moving ahead with red eyes.

Crying loudly, Jamir said, “Mother dear, no one can hear my words. No one has ears, hearts. You are of the age of my daughter. At least you listen to words before burning me.”

But Durga was not ready to listen. She was moving ahead as if she did not hear anything.

Jamir pleaded, “Oh my daughter.”

Now Durga started feeling some how. She was now becoming a bit more conscious.

Jamir pleaded, “Oh my daughter. I have four girls of your age.”

Durga stared at Jaidev.

Jamir said, “Motherless children.”

Durga stopped moving ahead and looked at soldier.

Jamir cried, “Not only that, my child, they don’t have anyone other than me. My dear, if you burn me, they will also become orphans like you.”

Durga’s face fell. She stood and stared at him. Her hand shivered. Jamir’s trick was working.

Jamir said, “Mother, they have tied me otherwise I would have fallen at your feet and pleaded with you to save my life. You can hand me over to the police instead of taking my life. You can break my hands and legs if you want, I will not stop you.”

Durga was excited. She had tears in her eyes.

Villagers shouted, “Jai Durga, jai Durga.”

All stared at Durga as if they were possessed. They were waiting eagerly to see Jawan burn to ashes.

Jamir cried, “Daughter, by taking my life, please don’t make my children orphans. As a mother, please excuse the mistake I have done. Please do not make them helpless as orphans.”

Durga’s shivering hands tightened.

Behind her, villagers shouted, “Jai Durga, Jai Durga.”

Durga lifted her head crying. She ran away from Jaidev and threw the torch away. Jawan stared at her. She cried. She put her head on the ground and hammered her head.

Durga cried, “Amma.”

Villagers stopped shouting. The drummer stopped drumming. It was completely silent. Everyone was shocked.

Chikka Naik approached Durga. He made her sit up. She stared at him crying bitterly. 

Chikka Naik said angrily, “Durga, what is wrong with you? Why did you do that?”

Moving a bit back, Chikka said, “There is fire in your stomach.”

Pointing to the villagers and huts, Chikka said, “There is a huge mountain of fire in the stomachs of these villagers.”

Pointing to the forest, Chikka said, “There is fire in the forest. If that this has to cool down”

Going near the Jamir, Chikka said, “We have to burn this demon, this anti-national to ashes.”

Picking up the burning torch from the ground and moving near Durga, giving the torch to Durga, Chikka said, “Take, burn him to ashes.”

Durga cried, “Uncle, I cannot burn him.”

Villagers were all watching.

Chikka said angrily, “If you cannot, than I myself will burn him.”

Chikka Naik went near the Jamir.

Villagers shouted, “Jai forest goddess.”

Looking at the sky shocked, Jamir cried, “Oh god, save me. My life is now getting over.”

Villagers were shouting. Durga ran and fell at Chikka Naik’s feet. “Please don’t burn him.”

Chikka Naik was shocked. “Why? The fire in your stomach has to go. Why are you stopping me? The fire in the forest will cool down only if he is burnt to ashes.”

Standing in front of him and shaking her head, Durga pleaded, “No. Please don’t burn him. I am begging with folded hands.”

All were shocked. Chikka asked, “Why are you stopping me from burning this fellow who put fire to this forest?”

Durga said, “He had four daughters of my age.”

Chikka said angrily, “If he has daughters, so what?”

Durga said, “Daughters without mother.” 

All were silent. Pointing to Jamir, Durga said, “If you burn him, those children will become orphans. They should not become orphans like me, uncle.”

All were shocked. Jamir was also shocked.

Durga said, “What mistake have those children done? Those innocent children must not become orphans because of me, uncle.”

All were watching in great shock.

Durga said, “Please save those children, uncle. Don’t make them orphans, uncle.”

Naik was shocked to see Durga clutching to his legs and pleading. He threw the torch away and lifted to her feet and hugged her.

With tears in his eyes, Chikka Naik said, “Daughter, you have such a golden heart. You are not a child but a mother. You have become a mother. You have become forest goddess.”

Leaving Durga and going to Jamir, Chikka said, “Look, look at this girl’s heart.”

Pointing to the villagers, Chikka said, “Look at the hearts of these villagers.”

Pointing to the forest, Chikka said, “Look at the heart of this forest, the heart of Indians. They all have golden hearts.”

21. Terrorists attack and kill

CHAPTER 21

Terrorists attack and kill

That night Durga was fast asleep. Jhansi was sitting on the bed waiting for Dodda Naik to come to bed.

Jhansi thought, “It is so late. He has not yet returned from market. I wonder what happened.” 

Suddenly she heard the sound of slippers. Jhansi sat up listening.

Dodda Naik pushed the door. But it was locked. “Because of that terrorist, the curtain has been replaced by a wooden door.”

He knocked on the door.

Jhansi opened the door. Dodda Naik entered the hut.

Jhansi asked, “Why are you late?”

Dodda Naik said, “I missed the last bus and had to walk. That is why I am late.”

Jhansi went to bring dinner for her husband.

But Dodda Naik stopped her. “I don’t want dinner. I have eaten.”

*********************************************

Dodda Naik was lying on the bed. 

Reducing the flame, Jhansi said, “Our son-in-law-to-be, Krishna has come from the village.”

Dodda Naik smiled. “Where is he?”

“After dinner, he has gone to sleep under the bullock cart. He likes to sleep in the open.”

*************************************

Jeep with terrorists entered the village in the darkness. Suddenly the guide stopped the jeep and asked all to get down.  They were all surprised.

4-5 terrorists got down with AK-47 guns in their hands. They had covered their faces with black cloths.

Leader asked, “Why have you stopped in the forest?”

Guide said, “What have you thought of this forest and the tribals? I have worked in this area for 5 years in sleeper wing for Jihad. I know very well who is of what type.”

All were alert.  They all followed the guide. 

Guide said, “If the tribals hear the sound of jeep at midnight, they will get up. Then leave alone our target, we ourselves will become their target.”

He took them in the darkness towards Dodda Naik’s hut.

Guide said, “The leader of this tribe stays in that hut which is a bit in the outskirts of the village.”

All keep their guns ready. Leader said, “I will make his dead body fall.”

Guide said, “His life is not to be taken with this gun.”

All looked at him shocked.

Guide said seriously, “The tribals will wake up if they hear the sound of bullets. If they get up, forget about crossing this forest, our dead bodies will also fall with that of Dodda Naik.”

Leader was shocked. “Then how can we kill him?”

Guide said, “With a knife. Sound-less.”

Removing his knife, leader said, “I will finish him with this.”

The terrorists went towards the hut. 5 terrorists stood at the door of Dodda Naik’s hut. Leader knocked on the door. Behind him others were standing alert.

Dodda Naik was enjoying romance with his wife on the cot. Durga was fast asleep on the floor.

Hearing the sound of knocking,  Dodda Naik said, “I wonder who has come so late at night?”

Getting up, Jhansi said, “It must be Krishna.”

Dodda Naik nodded. “May be he wants water. Open the door.”

Jhansi opened the door. The leader pushed the door and caught hold of Jhansi. He put his hand over her mouth so that she could not shout.

Dodda Naik stood up with shock. “Bastards. Who are you?”

Leader said, “We have come to drop your dead bodies.” 

Dodda Naik took up an axe which was lying on the ground with anger. “Looking at your dress, I can easily make out who you are. You are anti-nationals. You are that Kadar’s men. I will cut you all into pieces.”

He lifted the axe. Hearing the commotion, Durga woke up. One man pointed a gun at Durga.

Leader said, “Before you can cut us, we will cut your wife and daughter, just watch.”

Shocked, Dodda Naik said, “Are you not ashamed to take the life of helpless ladies? Are you male? If you want to challenge, use me. If you are brave enough, come.”

Durga cried, “Daddy, Mommy.”

Jhansi cried, “Please don’t do anything to my daughter.” 

Leader said to Naik seriously, “We don’t want your daughter, but you. First you throw that axe. Otherwise your daughter’s dead body will fall.”

Terrorists pressed Durga’s neck. Shocked, Dodda Naik threw the axe away and lifted his hands in the air. “Leave that child alone.”

Giving Jhansi to another man, leader pierced the knife into Dodda Naik’s stomach three times.

Leader said, “Bastards, kaufers.”

Dodda Naik fell down to the ground. Jhansi shouted with shock. Durga also shouted.

Holding Jhansi’s hair tight, leader said, “I want another life from among you two.”

Jhansi said, “Leave my daughter alone. Kill me if you want.”

In front of Durga, the leader pierced the knife into Jhansi’s stomach.  She too fell down. Durga shouted loudly. She fell on her mother crying.

Hearing this sound, Krishna, who was sleeping outside got up and ran towards the hut.

Looking at Jhansi, Leader said, “I have kept my word by saving your daughter.”

He got up and moved out.

While the terrorists were coming out, Krishna was moving in. Krishna dashed against the leader. He put his hand on the cloth over leader’s face and pulled it. It came off. Both stared at each other. One of the terrorists hit Krishna’s head with but of the gun from behind. Krishna fell down unconscious.