A Sad Day!
Yesterday was a very sad day in the history of Pakistan. A country created by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, a staunch liberal and supporter of modernist values saw in despair a court banning internet websites. And the bureaucracy acted with an unprecedented haste. In between, it seemed Pakistan has no chief executive. It's a successful test run of a judicio-bureaucracy coup. With this successful test run, now it will be easier for the court to sentence elected officials, for the bureaucracy to execute the orders without a single armed man moving. It in itself is a scary thought. Add to it the report that some of the blogs and political websites, with strong anti-militancy lines and audio of Hamid Mir's conversation, have also been blocked.
My sentiments on the whole issue are of anger. It is my first realization that I do not have freedom living in this land and that if I have to live here, it has to be as per the judgement and values of a hardcore, fundamentalist, militant right-wing. This is a hard realization, even harder to digest. Probably, unacceptable. It's a question of freedom and fundamental rights.
Secondly, this has happened under the watch of a PPP govt. A party which represents the liberal Pakistan. Yet, in the whole saga, the inaction of the PPP government is disappointing to say the least. If the party stands for certain values, now is the time to stand up for them. Throughout its history, from Mr. Bhutto banning alcohol, to Benazir becoming more Islamized in her appearance, to the present criminal silence in the wake of one of the most blatant attacks on fundamental rights in this country, the party has tried to appease the religious-right, ironically with no positive results. So probably it is about time that the party stands up against this dictum on fundamental rights. It is a fight worth-fighting for reasons principled alone. Yet, the political dimension of the fight (a possibility of a judicio-bureaucracy coup) makes it all the more worthy.
For us here, the choices are only three. Surrender your freedom to religious fanatics in judiciary, media and other segments of the society. Fight them and change the system. Or opt out.
I am really sad. SAD!
My sentiments on the whole issue are of anger. It is my first realization that I do not have freedom living in this land and that if I have to live here, it has to be as per the judgement and values of a hardcore, fundamentalist, militant right-wing. This is a hard realization, even harder to digest. Probably, unacceptable. It's a question of freedom and fundamental rights.
Secondly, this has happened under the watch of a PPP govt. A party which represents the liberal Pakistan. Yet, in the whole saga, the inaction of the PPP government is disappointing to say the least. If the party stands for certain values, now is the time to stand up for them. Throughout its history, from Mr. Bhutto banning alcohol, to Benazir becoming more Islamized in her appearance, to the present criminal silence in the wake of one of the most blatant attacks on fundamental rights in this country, the party has tried to appease the religious-right, ironically with no positive results. So probably it is about time that the party stands up against this dictum on fundamental rights. It is a fight worth-fighting for reasons principled alone. Yet, the political dimension of the fight (a possibility of a judicio-bureaucracy coup) makes it all the more worthy.
For us here, the choices are only three. Surrender your freedom to religious fanatics in judiciary, media and other segments of the society. Fight them and change the system. Or opt out.
I am really sad. SAD!
Comments
I'm less surprised because such hasty decisions have been taken all the time, and not only in the judiciary, but in the political system and military as well.
Secondly, the difference in opinion that I have with you is that this doesn't neccessary show the right-wing fanatisism of the courts (mind you, I'm not a fan of the courts either). But think about it, it's the people that's the issue here. The people are the ones that created the noise here and took to the streets. The courts wouldn't even know about this issue, heck they wouldn't even know what facebook is, if the people didnt scream insults about it.
Next, the court could either have tried to ignore it, and essentially direct the people's anger towards the inaction of the country towards such a 'holy blasphemous' issue, or they could try to appease the people, and try to make sure that the people don't take to the streets, burn tires and shops and everything in their way. They needed to show the masses that they are on their side and they did that. In my opinion, it wasn't as much of a choice as you think it was.
I realise I mentioned the word 'people' a lot of times, and it's a little generic. But that issue of 'people' can only be solved through education and economic growth. More than anything, that's what makes me sad; the people's reaction, rather than the court's 'reaction to the reaction'.
Best,
You know who :)