As we implement security measures, let us not forget their cost
Security definitely comes with a cost. And I don’t mean a financial or economic one, even though it is interesting to notice how big the security business has gotten in Pakistan. Cameras, fortified walls, barbed wires, private guards, those fake bombing detecting antennas that don’t even do anything – there is a lot of money in this. But there are expenses which are even more costly than the money in all of this. And aesthetics is one of the many (and often considered irrelevant) sacrifices that have to be made along with convenience, openness and accessibility.
And who can blame anybody for that? Who can argue for preserving the value of a beautiful and inviting entry-way over the body of a dead school-child? Even if after all the fortification, concretisation and weaponisation of our society, there is still a dead school-child? Even with all of that can we argue for aesthetics? Sadly, I don’t have an answer for you.
Maybe that is because it is unpopular in this country to have a dissenting opinion on this matter at the moment. Security is the top most priority. And maybe it rightly is so. The value of human life trumps all, right? But, one wonders, what about the quality of that life? Does the value of human life only arise from respiration and a beating heart? Or does the quality of that life also have value?
Our market places have become dangerous, even our public parks have check points for entry and we have to shut down an entire city to carry out a cricket match, so the ‘International players’ can be coaxed into coming. What does that say about our society? Where does such a path lead for us? Where the first thing a child seeking education sees when entering his or her school is not a smiling teacher but a machinegun? What exactly are we protecting than?
Some might criticise me for saying this out aloud. Some might call me a trouble making brat calling out for attention. Some may view this article unnecessary and some will find it against ‘State interest’. ‘The breakdown of a liberal cry baby!’ they would say. ‘We are at war!’ others would exclaim. ‘What do you want us to do then?’ some would ask, some seeking answers, some seeking reasons to damn me and my observations.
This article has been critical, yes. But it is not meant to make light of a serious problem. Yes, the security of our educational institutions (and other vital public and private places) is paramount. And the government and administrations of these places have a right – nay, in fact a duty – to do their best to defend us through whatever available legal means, from the threat that lingers in our country.
We claimed “Never again” after the APS massacre. And even though we might not have done everything we should have done to make that true, this is one area where we still will not compromise on. But the aim of this article is not to belittle such efforts. It is a comment on them. Because we owe it to ourselves and future generations to ask these questions, to be critical and keep in mind the sacrifices that we have made for our security. All that we have given up and all that we give up every day. We owe it to ourselves to keep notice of all the trees that are cut, all the gates that are shuttered and all the concrete walls topped with barbed wires that are put up. We need to keep dissenting and questioning, to keep wondering where the line can be drawn. To keep analysing if the social costs are worth the security and even if they are, still reflect on how sad it is to sacrifice so much, even if it’s for a fair bargain. We need to keep in mind the value of aesthetics, openness and accessibility of a public space and specifically of our educational institutions. We owe it to that kid who would never be able to stand outside my college gates on his first day and see the inviting nature of what could be the best years of his life. We owe it to that school kid who is greeted by a machine gun, first thing every morning, when he goes to school. We owe it to ourselves and our values. Lest one day, God help us, when the danger is over and there is nothing more to protect ourselves from, because there is no beauty left to protect anyways.
