Daily Times

Nothing unites us as a nation. Let me say differently,as a nation we seek opportunities to stand divided. I do not say this to undermine the bond of our nationalism or put down the constitution that unites our federation, but to merely emphasize that we are the finest at creating issues from non-issues;one after another, in an unending effort to keep our society polarized and divided.

Diversity of opinion is a strength as it allows to pitch competing ideas in pursuit for a better future. However, we turn this diversity into an un-addressable difference, a polarization that cannot find agreement despite our understanding of its necessity. Our nation as a society splits in fraction of time to extreme ends, without a connecting to a middle ground. We do not only see this in polity or media but it is unfortunately noticeable  everywhere and whenever an issue or a non-issue erupts. It takes few tweets to give a non-issue hype. There after we forget our actual responsibility of finding solutions and immediately hop into battle trenches of our choice to take rigid position, armed with arguments that appeal our mindset. The government as well as political parties in opposition diametrically support either of the extremist side defending different popular views since it is always beneficial for political community to appease and win voters then siding with the logic. Probably politicians see siding with majority a better way to serve the public good.

The propensities of the people of a specific gender, religion, ethnicity, class, or any other social group always organize around an interest. It is not necessary that the interest they vow to advance should really serve any purpose at all except developing rifts, expanding fissures and creating dissensions in society. The recent unpleasant debate telecasted on national media between a misogynist and a misandrist(either of them with the misconception of leading respective genders) has created another opportunity for us to stand divided.The rival groups advocating opposite ideas did not stop at seeking recognition of their aggressiveness in a dogmatic way but went miles further demonizing each other and holding the opposing camp responsible for their grievances. These grievances that the social group suffers are sometimes actual but sometimes perceived as well.In heterogeneous societies these exclusionary sentiments push a nation from inclusion to division and keep further carving the people into smaller dissections. The intensity of purpose increases so unnecessarily that the actual purpose is lost and objectives immediately mutate into something undesirable. Those advocating greater autonomy suddenly move to the path of separatism. Those who speak for women rights and oppose misogyny suddenly start giving impetus to misandry. The man-hating label becomes a must for every women right activist to be acknowledged as proponent of feminism. Feminist rhetoric crosses the line from attacks on sexism into attacks on men. Similarly the female faults are stated as sweeping condemnations by men. While the so called feminists depict ordinary men as patriarchy’s brutal foot soldiers, men see all those speaking for women as members of the sisterhood for a foreign agenda. Objecting to such generalizations is taken as a sign of complicity.The most dangerous aspect is that the war-like debate proliferates from academic and activist fringes into a full-fledged religious mainstream conversation. The same is unfortunately happening these days as well. Meanwhile, the voices which try to explain that religion is not less sympathetic to the problems women face, become suppressed under shrill slogans of Burqa clad brigade of madrassa women. Those who speak for women are considered completely secular and thoroughly westernized while those opposing them display their pride for having deep attachment to religion even if their understanding is too shallow or simplistic. These men and women also feel that their values rooted in Islam are under attack which they believe must be fought against.

While the so called feminists depict ordinary men as patriarchy’s brutal foot soldiers, men see all those speaking for women as members of the sisterhood for a foreign agenda

Ironically the discourse has an urban face and demeanor-a true epitome of elite capture. Those who speak for the downtrodden are seldom the oppressed and rarely exploited. Most of those who speak for women or the victims are for their own relevance. They live in regal homes with a militia of servants waiting to serve them and act on their commands. There is no shortage of electricity or gas. Their homes are well lit and well-guarded. They send their children to study in universities abroad since educational institutions in Pakistan do not match their children’s intellectual and academic faculties. The self-entitled sons and daughters of the elite return to command, rule and guide the uneducated, oppressed, uncultured masses.Meanwhile, the battle continues to ravage between secularists and the religious, liberals and conservatives, idealists and realists, elite and the masses, moderates and extremists, and last not the least, between misogynists and misandrists- ;the situation remains unchanged for the exploited and the oppressed.

The humanity will continue to suffer in today’s Pakistan. For now, the battle between patriarchs and feminists will continue to rage winning supporters on either side till the time a new issue erupts. During this time, the oppressed will remain oppressed, the unswerving law will remain the law and the victims will continue to be exploited by the elite. Let us emphasize on the issues to find a mid-point and set a ‘new normal’ for course correction.

The writer is a versatile analyst and speaker on contemporary issues