Salim and Kayal #Watty's 2016 # YourStoryIndia #ProjectWomanUp

Thank you Raja Sir

Kayal's POV

After expressing my opinion about Ram Mandir, I was about to sit down when Professor Adhikari spoke up, "To which religion do you belong to Ms Kayal?"

I was so irritated. But I know people will judge my opinion based on my religion. "Usually, when people ask me this question, my standard reply would have been "None of your business." But today, I assume all of you might weigh my opinion based on my religion. So let me clarify, I am anti – religious. I am against all the religions in this world."

Professor Adhikari was curious, "You mean you are an atheist?"

"No Sir. I believe in God. But, I don't believe in religion."

Aakash now stood up, "So what is the name of your God?"

I politely replied, "My God is nameless, formless, and shapeless. My God reside in my heart. I also try to see God in everybody's heart."

"Where do you pray?" This was Megha's question.

"I pray wherever I want to, whenever I want, however I want to in my own words."

All of them were still curious. Rohith asked me. "First of all why are you anti religious?"

"I am anti religious because I feel religion has divided people. Religion acts as a mediator between our Creator and us. And I don't want to confine myself to any mediator. I don't want to pray in anybody else's words. I don't want to pray in a particular place at a particular time in a particular way. I am also a feminist. It is my strong belief that all the religions in this world were created by men to dominate women. I don't want to believe in hereafter, Heaven, Swarg or Jannah. I live my life now. I believe this life is a blessing. We sow and reap our benefits in this life. My religion is my personal issue and I don't want anybody to question my beliefs after this. It is similar to invading my private space. I think I have explained enough about my stand". With that I sat down and Sara held my hand saying, "Cool down Kayal". I nodded. Thankfully, the bell rang.

Professor Adhikari looked at me in a weird way. Whenever I express my anti religious views people scoff at me. There are people who treat me as if I am sort of lost puppy and try to talk me into their religion. It is frustrating. That is a reason why I am not vocal about my views on religions. I know what I am doing and I feel bad when people judge me based on their standards. My parents are okay with it. I don't see my views as anybody's problem. There were people who warned me of hell in hereafter, living hell and stuff like that. Next lecture was about International Policies and thankfully it distracted me. Professor Usha was taking class in an extremely interesting way. After the class, we three of us started for the canteen. When we stood up I heard Salim's voice, "Excuse me".

Sara and Jaanu turned towards him. It would have been very odd if I hadn't turned. So I turned towards him. John was standing behind him. As soon as I turned, he saw my face without lowering his gaze, for a moment I could see he was happy and then there was so much pain in his face as if somebody stabbed him. What is happening to this guy? He is worrying me. I simply said, "You called us. Any problem?"

To this he replied, "No. No problem. I ...I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for defending Islam."

"Umm. No need to say thanks. Because, I actually didn't defend Islam for that matter. My concern is about Muslims, the people and not Islam the religion. For me they are different things."

He again gave me a painful expression. "Okay, still thank you for defending Muslims."

"That's fine. But, tell me are you hurt? You look awful. Did anybody give any rude comments?"