There is a spectrum of acceptable political opinions in any country. In some countries, that spectrum is rather wide; in others, it is narrow but pretends to be wider than it is. And in others, it is unapologetically narrow. In fact, in North Korea, perhaps the only remaining country on the planet that practices old school totalitarianism, even the word “spectrum” is a bit lavish.
The problem with these spectra is that states will always strive to narrow them down. Always. This is a constant struggle, fought by the citizens of any state in subtle, and sometimes not-too-subtle, manners.
While there might be a large number of people in the country currently enraged by the fact that Altaf Hussain shouted “Pakistan Murdabad” in a telephonic address, do keep in mind that a large number of people were also upset when the leader of a major provincial party questioned the security agencies after the intel lapse that let the terrible incident of Quetta happen. Achakzai was, in literal terms, doing the very job he was elected for. But the statement was peddled off in our media as having the same end-of-the-line gravity as a Pakistan Murdabad. The military itself was conflated with the “state” itself and Achakzai was thought to be treasonous.
The military doesn’t care if you trash institutions other than the military. But if you were, say, to trash the NLC for (debatably) having killed the prospects of a financially viable Pakistan Railways, you could look at treason accusations. If the army were to take over the solid waste management contract of the Lahore Municipal Corporation, then perhaps complaining about garbage on the streets will come in the same category. And if the army were to insist on taking over the police (which it has, in effect, in many places) say goodbye to criticising the law enforcement agencies.
Okay, you say. That all might be true. But can even an inclusive spectrum include a Pakistan Murdabad? Well, the United States of America is perhaps the most powerful state the world has ever seen and they burn flags there. During wars at that, when countries usually become a bit more patriotic than usual.
(An aside: we’re a far cry from burning flags here. Some of the arrested MQM members were actually charged with “listening to anti-Pakistan slogans.”)
Though we might debate all that endlessly (as we should) I find it shameful that it is those slogans that we are debating first and foremost and not the issue that is far more pressing.
On the channels, we see the hyperpatriots square off against the MQM members. The patriots bringing up the slogan, the other side saying we have wrested autonomy from Altaf Hussain, so all is well now. Yes, but why not a complete dissociation, ask the patriots again. And then there is the uncomfortable dance between the MQM’s London and Karachi secretariats being played out on talk shows.
What is being forgotten is the unequivocal call to violence against specific television channels by Altaf Hussain. A call that was followed by actual violence by MQM members. One man died. Some were injured. Male and female journalists harassed. And I know we in our country don’t give psychological ramifications much thought, but the prospect of violence will be existing in the minds of all those people working in those offices for some time to come. I have faced the threat of violence as a journalist. To state the obvious, it is not a nice feeling. Even if you make a conscious decision not to let it affect your work, it does, subconsciously.
Not to imply you need to have been a journalist to empathise.
There is a section within the liberati that has taken a liking to Altaf Hussain. Because of his supposed “liberal” credentials. And his taking on the army, an institution that he was till very recently begging to take over the country. This lot doesn’t even talk about the attack on the television channels.
And they don’t need to, because the hypernationalists on the other side only want to talk about that wretched Pakistan Murdabad slogan.
Both sides need to stop putting the cart before the horse here. Nothing is more important than human life. Altaf Hussain and his henchmen in Karachi should be punished. And it is for the attack on those TV channels that they should be punished.
To the liberati: I know you’re getting a kick out of this whole “anti-mainstream narrative” thing. I should know; I am one of you. But have some standards, for God’s sake. There is a line that shouldn’t be crossed. Violence against non-combatants is that line. Grow up.
To those who bleed green: bring up the attack on the media first and, if you absolutely must, the anti-Pakistan slogan later. If Pakistan Murdabad offends you more than a Murda Pakistani, there is something seriously wrong with your brand of patriotism.