A nun who resisted a group of dacoits that broke into a convent was gang-raped in West Bengal's Nadia district. The rape of a 70-year-old nun by dacoits at a school at Ranaghat in Nadia district of West Bengal in March 2015 triggered protests and outrage across the State.
I saw them coming out of their cloister
Silently and stealthily
Going about their work
They disturbed nobody
They called the rickshaw picked up the sick
They did not call for any help
They went about their work
Their starched white dress
Against the blazing sun
Christ hanging from their neck
If Jesus came in the way
They tucked him in
Going about their work
Without a word of sound or praise
They don't have to tell people who they are
They eliminate all of that just by their dress
They do not wear a bra to attract
They cover their head
They are clad from head to toe
We know what they stand for
A symbol of faith
She is a nun.
She is religious
She has remained a virgin
Has consecrated her life to God
Devoted herself to service
Devoted herself to man
Devoted herself to God
Yet we chose to rape her
Image: Pedro Luis Raota. Courtesy Google
Haunting image and nadir of decrepitude to which things seem to be sinking...the frightened rabbit, shut door and decaying haveli only heighten the sense of anomie and desolation and yet there is a firm determination about their movement against overwhelming odds. You bring out this creeping conflict with sensitivity, empathy and inevitable poignancy.