Daily Times

From top to bottom, the entire society is in a mess of carving ‘narratives’, religious narrative, social narrative, and political narrative. But the gripping socio-religious manifestation has superseded all other philosophies of social way of life ignoring the thematic elements of democracy envisioned by the founder of Pakistan.  Since 1947, the dominant religious card was used by stakeholders which has destroyed the dream of equality in the country.

On the contrary, the popular social narrative was badly ignored because it demanded the highest level of treatment for the marginalised sections of society including religious minorities and dissenting sections. An unmistakable but collective religious agenda has transformed the country. In present day Pakistani society, love and tolerance have become expensive commodites.

In these circumstances, not only dissenters but various heads, members of the mainstream political parties and media personnel have to strive to prove their faith. Intra-faith conspiracies, social hatred towards the downtrodden, hate preaching, ever increasing intolerance, corruption, nepotism and social injustice has brought the country on the verge of a breakdown. The empty slogans of safe Pakistan do not take into consideration the annulment of the democratic charter formed by the founder of Pakistan. In the emerging Islamic society at the time of Pakistan’s independence, there were two schools of thought that were followed (or that people were compelled to follow).

Firstly, religious scholars did not want to continue the policies of imperialism. Secondly, the quick shift to Islamic ideology polarised the society within the first six months of independence.  The stumbling state could not bear the pressure and was forced to bow down before the theocratic ideology against which the founding fathers opposed.

Present day society has gone too far to break the jaws of the forces working day and night to bring inequality and injustice to the country. The time has come to get out of this confusion so that a dominant sect of a religion can ensure long-lasting peace

The founder of Pakistan and its first leader, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, famously said:

“I do not know what the ultimate shape of this constitution is going to be, but I am sure that it will be of a democratic type, embodying the essential principle of Islam…

Islam and its idealism have taught us democracy. It has taught equality of man, justice and fair play to everybody…

In any case Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic State to be ruled by priests with a divine mission. We have many non-Muslims — Hindus, Christians, and Parsis — but they are all Pakistanis. They will enjoy the same rights and privileges as any other citizens and will play their rightful part in the affairs of Pakistan…”

There are sections of the society who dream to see the country where all stakeholders, major or minor could enjoy equality, justice, peace, love and tolerance but they are considered ‘secular’ or ‘bloodthirsty liberals’. Indeed, Pakistan is not an experimental lab but has a system offering fair chances to all citizens. Opposing campaigners of equal rights and social tolerance may not result in a prosperous society. Instead, the long-standing aggressive theocratic approach has divided the nation into small pockets of groups who have forgotten the blessings of patriotism and nationhood.

Every day there are suicides, mothers are killing their own children, honor killings, forced conversions, unfathomable corruption and false accusations in the name of religion has become the fashion. Smiling, love, tolerance, justice, equality, patience are scarcely seen in the society which are the real beads of the spiritual rosary that showers blessings and prosperity. It is highly agonising that aggression is the tool to control and snub masses or even governments. The guardians of theocracy never allow such dogma to take roots among the masses for a fairer society.

Present day society has gone too far to break the jaws of the forces working day and night to bring inequality and injustice to the country. The time has come to get out of this confusion so that a dominant sect of a religion can ensure long-lasting peace. There is a need to groom the aesthetic sense among the masses through music, art and dance which will soften the prevailing hard-shelled social vertebrae.

Let religion be the issue of an individual and his Creator. Human beings come alone and go alone, our physical grips on religion will not serve us or our generations.  World history tells us wherever, religions and politics were jointly maneuvered, the fall of civilisation becomes the destiny.

Religion or faith is not a profession, it is the metaphysical link of a soul to its Maker, we have begun using religion for our personal gain, power, and authority, therefore, in a pluralistic society only the survival of the fittest can occur. Resultantly, it ultimately brings intolerance in the society and we are witnessing the speedy growth of all this. Even after seven decades, we have not realised the real culture and values required for a balanced society.

Over the years, many issues have been overlooked which could have provided the building blocks of an egalitarian society. Intentionally or unintentionally, theologically untrained Muslim clerics have been brought to the mainstream, while the government has been devoid of any policy to train moderate religious leaders through public seminaries or the like. The lack of policy regarding social governing bodies represents the weakest aspect of multicultural societies.

We can only hope that all those interested in equality of all irrespective of their religion, caste, gender and sexual orientation will bind their hands together and give the impetus needed to steer Pakistan back on the track envisioned by the founders of the country.

The writer can be reached at kaleem.dean@gmail.com

Published in Daily Times, December 8^th 2017.