It appears that the dark night which started with the ‘marriage of convenience’ between the military dictator Gen Zia and Pakistan’s religious parties in 1980s is not going to be over any soon. It’s not only the drugs and Kalashnikov culture which took deep roots in the society, thanks to the so-called Afghan Jihad (better say Americans’ revenge of defeat in Vietnam), but sadly brakes were put on the society’s capability to think, ponder, question and face intellectual issues with logic. Instead a culture of mob-mentality was promoted which is anytime ready to kill, maim, loot and destroy in the name of religion. One such gift from the above mentioned unholy marriage was the drastic change in the blasphemy laws.
During last two decades hundreds of people have been persecuted in blasphemy cases — in fact it has become a tool in the hands of anyone who wants to extract revenge on this opponent, destroy his business or reputation, get the land or property evacuated, kick out the boss or a colleague – list of excuses goes on (recent addition is punishment for confronting the security establishment!). Persecution of not only non-Muslims but also a large number of Muslims in blasphemy cases itself speaks of the gravity of the real issue – it’s a very effective tool to destroy your opponent. An email, SMS, whisper, joke, even throwing disused papers having religious scriptures or names can put your life in danger – it could be an under-pressure court decision or a mob attack; just expect the worst.
We are now entering in the next phase of this madness – now even the religious figures are being targeted and blamed for blasphemy. This week’s victim is Junaid Jamsheed, a singer-turned-cleric who is closely attached with Tableegi (preaching) Jamat. Incidentally he also runs a very successful fashion garments business; needless to say there would be many after him to grab the market share. His sectarian leaning might have earned many opponents for him. He was accused of committing blasphemy while delivering a religious lecture; since then he has apologized in a video message uploaded on social media sites stating that ‘it was an advertent mistake committed due to lack of knowledge’. Pakistan social media is buzzing with messages asking for forgiveness for Jamshed; such is the society, especially his fans’ pressure that police case may be either dropped or not pressed upon any further.
I don’t have any issue if Jamshed is cleared of committing blasphemy, but what about those hundreds of people who have been killed, maimed or destroyed forever, only because they were not part of the ‘cleric-mafia’? Pakistanis need to wake up — we are part of this planet, not from the Mars. Blasphemy laws were formulated by a military dictator to suit his reign; since then these have been misused without any question. But who will bell the cat – even a suggestion to amend, leave aside repelling, the laws is enough for you to be blamed of blasphemy — and be ready for a sure death.
It’s a never ending vicious cycle of hatred and death.
MASOOD KHAN
Jubail, Saudi Arabia