She sacrificed her life for democracy and people’s rights
Power Politics is not a soft arena for women especially in the South Asian countries. In this turf, violence, coercion, hypocrisy and such other tactics are part of the game. Brutality and ruthless violence could be used to defeat and discourage the opponents. Understandably, logical reasoning is not the sole weapon of the politicians. In the power politics, rules of the game are equal for all, no compassion or courtesy is extended to anyone including women. These are bitter realties of the South Asian politics.
When Shaheed Benazir Bhutto entered in politics in late 1977, she confronted all such brutal environment. No concession was given to her because of her gender, her young age, her family background or the status of her late father – the first elected prime minster of Pakistan. She was not even given the courtesy or respect an ordinary woman is entitled to in the traditional South Asian culture. The coward dictator, his allies and protégé did not spare any shameful and inhuman tactic to deter her from politics. They did it in the hope that the young lady will not withstand their brutality. But they were terribly wrong.
Fortunately, they were alone: the people of Pakistan were not with them. The people were silently and helplessly watching the inhuman behavior of the usurper, just waiting for the opportunity to express their preference. Ultimately that moment of the people came: in 1988, with the power of votes of the people of Pakistan, Shaheed BB ascended to power. Still she faced intense disapproval from the forces of darkness; the power hungry military men, the pseudo mullahs, and their allies. As expected, they fully exploited religion and the patriarchal tradition of the local culture to undermine her leadership. All sorts of accusations, media trail and persecutions were unleashed upon her. But she stuck to her cause, stood steadfast with the marginalized sections: women, children, landless peasants and unprivileged laborers, who were denied the basic rights of education, health and decent living.
Benazir Bhutto had chosen the path of leadership in a voluntary decision. Remember, leaders are not born, but are self-made. She was not the one who used her hereditary political support to achieve political power. She learnt from the most turbulent times, stern tests and trials. Make no mistake: she was not successful because her elitist family background. Rather due to her family, she faced extra violence and brutality. The dictatorial forces were bent upon eliminating her for two reasons: first, because of her own pro-people and anti-establishment agenda; second, for defending and preserving the political party and philosophical legacy of Shaheed Z.A Bhutto. To punish her for this ‘double crime’ all sorts of evil, dictatorial and undemocratic forces joined hands to eliminate her both physically and politically. They succeeded to eliminate her physically but miserably failed in undermining here political legacy. Her style of leadership is very much alive and her services for the democracy and people of Pakistan are acknowledged even by her worst opponents.
Her service to democracy was not just to strengthen and stabilize the parliamentary system. The most laudable and long-lasting contribution of BB was to empower women and youth leadership in Pakistan to struggle for their rights. With her artful and dignified political conduct, she falsified the notion that ‘women are weak’ and can be defeated by the coercion and violence. She disproved such clichés with her powerful and resilient political behavior. She proved that, with determination and dedication, the cowardly dictators could be defeated. While defeating the forces of darkness, she demonstrated that she possessed stronger interpersonal skills (empathy, flexibility and sociability), impeccable moral character and highly developed psychological and cognitive capabilities. While presenting her viewpoint, she was more assertive and argumentative than her male counterparts.
Her years of resistance and resilience were not sporadic or short term, but spanned over 11 years. Her enemies were not just few individuals, but a bunch of classes and strongly networked zealots who had no value for life, and no morality or humanism. Her enemies included the hypocoristic and power hungry mullahs, the greedy generals, the feudals, the unprincipled businessmen – all of whom joined hands under the umbrella of the nine-party, Pakistan National Alliance. This seamless lethal and unholy alliance had only one agenda: to discredit and un-empower women. BB fought in many fronts. Her worst enemies were not only the dictators, but also the allies of the dictators in the guise of her colleagues and party men. In the late 1970s, she assumed leadership in the presence of several aspirants within her own father’s party, the PPP. Dealing with such enemies needed special skills, wisdom and fortitude. And BB had loads of these attributes.
Her enemies never understood her strength. In a short span of time, she contributed a lot to the world political history. It would be difficult for any other woman to replace her the way she worked, resisted and was elected twice as the prime minister of Pakistan. Today, she is the role model but she had created conducive situation for women to play a role in democracy. She was the one who sacrificed her life for democracy and people’s rights. She set an example not only for Pakistan, but also for the women leaders of the world.
Her assassination was the end of an era of a unique and distinctive political career of a woman leader who rose to global fame. She set an example of bravery in defying the shackles of military dictatorship, remaining unbowed with grace. She nurtured the tender plant of democracy with her blood. Many politicians are enjoying the fruits of that plant, which is now relatively stronger. Let us remember her blood, her boldness and her bravery. She fought for sovereign, stable and progressive Pakistan. Her sacrifice showed tremendous results. People of Pakistan will never forget her and her services.
The article was written to coincide with Benazir Bhutto’s birthday on June 21.
