"Kushtni" is primarily used as a verb and literally translates to "to kill." However, in the context of the poem, it holds a deeper metaphorical significance. It refers to the act of suppressing one's thoughts and emotions, stifling one's voice and expression.
Guftni (گُفتَنی):
"Guftni" also comes from a verb "guft" (گفت) meaning to speak or say. So it literally translates into "to be said" or "to be expressed." In the context of the poem, it refers to the things one wants to say, the thoughts one wants to express, or the voices that yearn to be heard.
Thus, the line "Udhar ek harf ki kushtni yahan laakh uzr thaa guftni" can be translated as:
> In a place where the murder of a single letter was the norm, there were a million reasons for expression.
In essence, the poet laments a world where even a single word can face annihilation, while those who desperately want to express themselves can find countless reasons and excuses. It highlights the disparity between a repressive society and the need for individual expression and freedom of speech.