Sunday, 15th of March again saw a horrific attack on the Christian minorities in a christian populated area of Lahore resulting around fifteen killings. Many of you will be wondering why even bother to spend time on it. Sectarian conflicts and minorities persecution is an everyday sight and plenty of people are writing about it from years. But yesterday, post bombings outlook saw an angry mob beating two suspects to death. Police did attempt to control the situation but the mob was highly charged.
Later the same day, one of the killed person was identified as Muhammad Naeem, a local glass cutter, who according to police has nothing to do with bombings. It was an unusual response. People normally grieve quietly but the incompetence of state to eradicate sectarianism and provide protection incites people to violence as they are assured of the fact that government and security forces are not going to help them. Yesterday, it was only one person, tomorrow it will be two and day after that, more. This is the first glimpse of an anarchic society without any overarching power to protect people and people than, in self help manner, obtaining justice and history tells us that whenever people lost faith in the government for providing them justice, they took matters on their own hand which ultimately leads to a civil war.
People in government and security forces need to realize that they now, they have to stop supporting a particular sect of community and we have seen in the past that even in constitution, how easily people belonging to 'not-common' sect are declared as non-Muslim. Pakistani state and army has a substantial role in supporting and protecting these extremist groups, an open truth, which is now need to be stopped. We need to realize that state do not belong to a particular sect rather it is protector of people who are residing within the territories of this nation. Till these days, people protested about their killed ones but still they were counting on government for their protection and if things are not changed in near future, these occurrences will severely damaged the already tainted stability and image of our home.
Later the same day, one of the killed person was identified as Muhammad Naeem, a local glass cutter, who according to police has nothing to do with bombings. It was an unusual response. People normally grieve quietly but the incompetence of state to eradicate sectarianism and provide protection incites people to violence as they are assured of the fact that government and security forces are not going to help them. Yesterday, it was only one person, tomorrow it will be two and day after that, more. This is the first glimpse of an anarchic society without any overarching power to protect people and people than, in self help manner, obtaining justice and history tells us that whenever people lost faith in the government for providing them justice, they took matters on their own hand which ultimately leads to a civil war.
People in government and security forces need to realize that they now, they have to stop supporting a particular sect of community and we have seen in the past that even in constitution, how easily people belonging to 'not-common' sect are declared as non-Muslim. Pakistani state and army has a substantial role in supporting and protecting these extremist groups, an open truth, which is now need to be stopped. We need to realize that state do not belong to a particular sect rather it is protector of people who are residing within the territories of this nation. Till these days, people protested about their killed ones but still they were counting on government for their protection and if things are not changed in near future, these occurrences will severely damaged the already tainted stability and image of our home.
I agree with your point that our state needs to take action regarding such situations. It needs to make sure that everyone enjoys equal rights, not just Muslims but people of other religions as well. Our government, as you said, does takes sides which gives more power to their supporters in spreading violence. If this does not stop then the minority or other groups will rise and start violence as well which will lead to a civil war.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it the state's responsibility to "eradicate sectarianism"? Yes, the state should be involved in providing security, but what do we expect our state to actually do in a situation like this? I do hope that in the future our government can provide security for all people living in our society.
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