Daily Times

In Pakistan, no one is ready to listen to others’ views and honour human life.  We are becoming brutes and executioners. No one has the right to take law in his or her hands and punish someone in such violent manner as witnessed in Mardan.

However, crimes related to blasphemy are a serious offence in Muslim-majority Pakistan, and penalties range from small fines to the death sentence. At least 65 people have been murdered over blasphemy allegations since 1990 according to the figures from a Center for Research and Security Studies report.Dozens more convicted of the crime are currently on death row in Pakistani jails.

The recent case of Mashal Khan raises many questions.Whose responsibility is it to provide asafe environment on the campus? Where was the administration when it was going on? Nobody had the courage to stop the brutality.

As per news reports, I have come to know that the police and university administration were sitting in a cosy room while Mashal Khan was seeking help and requesting the administration to come out and stand by him. I have seen all the footage.I think we have failed as a state and civilised society. Theauthority of the government is nowhere to be seen. No one is in charge here. The political parties’ interference in the student affairs is one of the basic reasons for such conflicts. Political backers of student unions have historically disrupted the academic atmosphere on campuses across the country.

These groups are notorious for their rowdy behaviour and violence. They must be thrown out of educational institutions immediately. Their mere presence on the campus is a threat to peace. The vice chancellors are helpless to take action against them. What is strange about this incident is that it did not happen on the streetbut a campus.

A thorough inquiry should do to pinpoint the causes & culprits of this brutal attack. The participants of this crime should be prosecuted and given exemplary punishment. No one should be spared. Who will provide comfort to his mother and sisters who have lost a loving son and brother?

Mashal Khan, we will remember the words, which you wrote on your room walls that “Be curious, crazy and mad.” (CheGuevera).

The writer is a Lahore-based social and political activist. He can be reached at salmanali088@gmail.com