Diversity Poem by Asit Kumar Sanyal

A Hindu is not a man
wearing dhoti and kurta
or shaved head
with a tuft at the back
or with longish mark of mud,
turmeric, kumkum
on the bridge of nose
or forehead
One may follow it
these are options
fashions of religious schools.

a man in the suit, boot and tie
also a Hindu
a woman in Saree-blouse,
Top and mini skirt,
salwar suit or in tribal dress
also a Hindu
it's a fashion too
a believer in god is a Hindu
a non-believer also a Hindu
diversity is the DNA of Hinduism.

Hindu is not the religion
a culture
purely Indian culture
a way of life
developed at the bank of Sindhu river
and seasoned, modified, updated
in thousands of years
it taken good things from others
from East, West, North, South
Tribes, Dravid, Aryan
Hun, Mongol, Mughal, Pathan
British, French, Portuguese
traders and travelers came by land and seas.

It's like the matted hair of Lord Shiva
and has a common way of worship
nationwide
but no dress code
no permanent fashion
no whip
no hate
Hindus believe in one marriage
one nation one philosophy
spiritualism
and devine love.