Daily Times

Dramatically, some bloggers kidnapped, released and skedaddled. The quick episode of series of these incidents left many questions, unanswered. The thunderbolt impression on affected individuals, their families and the civil society at large has the hunch that the hostage drama was part of the conspiracy or stratagem. Leaving aside speculations, implications are serious, not only from within the country, the international watchdogs get more elbow room to criticize Pakistani institutions. Bloggers and thinkers are forerunners in all civilized societies, sometimes, offer bitter pills for the well-being of the social and healthy culture.

Arresting these people may not delimit their conscience, in a true sense, they are slaves of their ideologies, can be killed or oppressed physically, but not spiritually. Let them speak and let the society grow in, understanding, tolerance, equality, justice and human values. In this case, the trouble did not stop at bloggers arrest or release but the ‘blasphemy charges’ were used as ‘mouth shut tool’. Is our society has reached to the ill-famed vertex of religious intolerance to sway, the one, we do not like, if this is the case, let us move to the real teaching of the religion, we deem, a complete code of life. The Holy Quran provides such an environment where all can enjoy the freedom of thought and all are allowed to live by faith or values they believe in. Any Christian, Hindu, Sikh or person with another or no belief has the right according to the basic tenets of Islam. The Quran treats Jews and Christians as ‘people of the Book’. “God does not forbid you from being good to those who have not fought you in the religion or driven you from your homes, or from being just towards them, God loves those who are just.” Therefore all human beings are equal including Muslim ‘bloggers’.

In a TV Show, several Islamic scholars and Ulema-e-Haq from different Islamic denominations were consulted on the misuse of ‘blasphemy law’ and surprisingly, all agreed that in several cases this law is used for personal vendettas or the antagonism. Antithetically, any amendment in the law is opposed against its misuse. Very recently, one of the PPP Senators, Chair, expressed his concerns to bring any possible change in the law which is bitterly being opposed by religious organizations. We have week brains and memories, actually, the statement of the Senator was merely a political one which was taken very seriously by the religious leaders. During PPP government, Sherry Rehman, one of the parliamentarians tried to table an amendment bill and Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani, the then Prime Minister of Pakistan not only withdrew the bill rather ensured that no amendment in blasphemy law would be accepted orallowed by the parliament.

It is interesting that when in the opposition we try to do real things when we do not have the mandate to exercise political rights, is not it? Should we expect from the present regime, no not at all, the honourable Minister of Religious Affairs has precisely rejected any proposal? Is there any ‘selected’ minority member, who dare to submit any proposal, no way, remember the sacrifice of Salman Taseer who gave his life to save the life of a blasphemy victim and also remember the assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister of Minorities on 2 March 2011, his killers are still on the run.

After the self-willed Military General inaugurated the hardest version of blasphemy laws in 1985, the maniac social tendency of victimizing ordinary people or marginalized communities has become one of the references of the country that never has been taken seriously by any of the governments, present nor previous. In each and every incident of the blasphemy case, the civilized forces in and out of the country shout against blasphemy laws but these voices are considered ‘very western’ which is not true, anywhere in the world something goes against humanity, people cry, moves are made and bloggers write. Such a fine example of this day, after the newly American President, banned seven ‘MUSLIM’ countries for 90 days, all the Christian world reacted against the step. Where is standing of our dear country? Why the government is silent, not speaking a single word against the decision. Islamic Clerics have cautioned to give tough time if the government tries to bring any amendment in the blasphemy laws but not ready to demonstrate ‘pique’ against US ban on Islamic countries.

Christian countries speaking against Trump and in the favour of Muslims, are protecting the heritage of humanitarian values, values of equality and justice. American society, as well as the western world, is standing with the communities of seven Muslim countries. Who stands for minorities in Pakistan when the entire Joseph colony in Lahore is torched but the court does not find any evidence against 115 accused setting them free finding no evidence against them all, whereas the court found all necessary proofs against SAWAN MASIH, a blasphemy victim from the same ill-fated Joseph Colony, who is suffering in prison like many others including Asia Bibi. It is imperative to re-launch investigation to bring justice in Joseph Colony case, definitely, no revenants were invited for the filthy action of incinerating poor Christian’s dwellings. When injustice becomes law, societies, nations and civilizations are dilapidated. Sticking to rigidity will serve nothing, but invite national and international criticism. Blasphemy laws are there almost in every country, but seldom are these laws used against individuals especially for despicable purposes.

The neighboring Islamic country Bangladesh has forbidden blasphemy by a provision in the penal code. Sheikh Hasina Wajid describing Bangladesh a ‘secular democracy’ in 2013 rejected proposals by a radical Islamist group, Hefajat-e-Islam’s ‘death penalty’ demand for people charged under blasphemy law. Blasphemy laws particularly pertaining to religion are absent in the Indian constitution. Section 295 (A) of the Indian Penal Code introduced during British Raj to prevent hate speech that attempts to insult to religion or religious feelings of any specific group or community. Indonesia, the biggest Islamic country under Indonesian Criminal Code Article 156 (a) forbids disgracing a religion, the maximal penalty is five years of imprisonment. In the United Kingdom, under the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008, ‘the section 79 abolished the common law offences of blasphemy and blasphemous libel in England and Wales’. The incessant abuse of blasphemy laws in Pakistan demand urgent re-visiting of the law. The foremost responsibility lies on the shoulders of Islamic clerics for the sought after solution.

The civil society and an educated youth, the future keepers of the faith are vital too to bring social, cultural harmony and tolerance in the society. The fact must not be ignored that sanctity of the law is at stake after its businesslike use. Once again, bringing blasphemy charges against bloggers will put the society in stinking bate that may foster social vehemence. Because of the state of fear, bloggers are leaving the country, was that the purpose of ‘blasphemy charges’? If so, Heaven forbid! Need to contemplate.

The writer is a freelance columnist, can be contacted at kaleem.dean@mail.com