SCENE (18) – THE GOLDEN COW CEREMONY
Setting:
- An inner courtyard. Brahmins gather.
- Gold cow is at a corner.
- GANESH, JALALUDDIN (JADU), BRAHMINS, PRIESTS.
GANESH
The restraint is gone.
HEAD BRAHMIN
Then restoration may begin.
JALALUDDIN
What restoration?
GANESH
Your will be reborn.
(A cow form—constructed with wood and layered with gold leaf—is brought forward.)
JALALUDDIN
I am Sultan already. I cannot be reborn suddenly.
GANESH
Son – This is necessity.
HEAD BRAHMIN
Enter.
JALALUDDIN
Is it safe?
GANESH
Enter.
(The Brahmins chant. Jadu is guided inside the golden cow structure. The cow is opened from the other side.)
HEAD BRAHMIN
From this golden cow you are reborn as Jadu.
GANESH
(to the court)
Witness rebirth.
(to the COURTIERS)
Distribute golds of the cow to Brahmins.
(to BRAHMIN)
Take your due.
HEAD BRAHMIN
The ritual is complete.
(Ganesh steps forward, removes the insignia of Sultan from Jadu.)
GANESH
You are relieved of the throne.
(He turns to the court.)
I reclaim kingship.
PRIEST
Under what name?
GANESH
Danuj Mardan Deva.
(No cheers. Only submission.)
(An Orthodox Brahmin enters suddenly.)
ORTHODOX BRAHMIN
We do not accept it.
JADU
Why?
ORTHODOX BRAHMIN
Because conversion by cow is corruption.
JADU
But they witnessed it!
ORTHODOX BRAHMIN
They witnessed power, not dharma.
JADU
Then what am I?
ORTHODOX BRAHMIN
Unclear.
And you will not be allowed in any Hindu rituals or temples.
(Orthodox Brahmin leaves.)
JADU
You destroyed me.
GANESH
I saved your future.
JADU
You made me Muslim. Now you make me Hindu.
GANESH
You are obedient.
JADU
Now I belong nowhere.
GANESH
You belong to survival.
JADU
You used me twice.
GANESH
A king rules the necessity.
JADU
They spit behind my back. Muslims call me traitor. Brahmins call me impure.
GANESH
That is the cost of bridgehood.
JADU
I am not your bridge!
GANESH
You are my consequence.
JADU
You taught me faith was survival.
GANESH
I taught you necessity.
JADU
Then I reject both! I will tell everyone what you did!
GANESH
Who will listen?
(Ganesh gestures.)
GANESH
Lock him.
JADU
Father—
GANESH
The King.
(Guards seize Jadu.)
JADU
You have no faith!
GANESH
Correct.
JADU
Then you have no future!
(Doors slam.)
(Lights fade.)
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