Bigger things at stake
It is unfortunate that it took the Peshawar tragedy to finally unite the nation against the Taliban. Yet it is even more unfortunate that regressive elements continue to stick to their old, provocative position of sympathising with the TTP. That is why civil society activists, holding vigil outside the Lal Masjid, should be credited for their bravery. Not only are they doing what the government should have done, they are also defying terror. There was much to draw from initial police suggestion to the protestors, that it would be better if they moved elsewhere because of the state’s inability to protect them.
At the time of Russia’s Beslan incident a decade ago – the only school attack worse (in terms of numbers) than Peshawar – the Russian police began rounding up apologists for the militants even before the military action in the school was over. It was important to take control of the narrative, and ignoring preachers of hate, who influence huge numbers, sends a very wrong message. Unfortunately, though the military moved swiftly after Peshawar, and the government finally began executing Taliban on death row, the reaction to speech like Lal Masjid’s Abdul Aziz has been soft.
The cleric was forced to bow to public pressure though, especially after the MQM also filed an FIR against him. Yet not only was the apology full of his usual spin, he also tried to give a sectarian colour to this new troubles, and that is very serious. Authorities must take note of the Lal Masjid incident immediately. FIRs and counter FIRs suggest things could quickly spiral out of control, and for not controlling them at the beginning, the authorities will deserve much of the blame. The government, having made its zero-tolerance for militancy clear, must also decide, equally clearly, the fate of those that sympathise with the enemy, the killers of our children. So far they have resisted, among other things, because of the violence that might take place if the Masjid is touched again. But seeing how people are now willing to accept such risks, the government must not be seen on the back foot on this issue. It is about much more than Lal Masjid now.