Daily Times

The desire of being the ruler, not only of a specific area or of a particular country but of a region spreading over millions of miles, is nothing novel. From the US to China, we find this desire dominating and prevailing in different forms and different shapes, but it becomes horribly agonising when attempted to be materialised by exploiting basic human rights.

It is a fact that the US has been providing immeasurable financial assistance and support to Afghanistan for the last many years. Under the banner of USAID programme, billions of dollars have been spent in the fields of health and education. According to a report published by the USAID, “The basic purpose of all this support is to help Afghanistan become a more responsible and integrated member of the region and the world.US’ huge investments in infrastructure and human capital are making the country less vulnerable to insurgents and illicit business and more attractive for private sector enterprise.” But in spite of all these services provided to the people of Afghanistan, no one could say that the people of Afghanistan love or like the Americans because they are serving them.

Afghans hold the US authorities responsible for all the trials and tribulations they have been passing through for the last three decades. The Afghans could never forget thousands of their children who were burnt to ashes just because of the merciless bombings of the NATO forces under the command of the US. Be they in groups like the Taliban or in any other formation, they never miss a chance of targeting the US led troops or any of the US interests in Afghanistan. It is their harsh reaction that has compelled the US authorities to look for strategies of retreat. The Afghan people are so angry regarding the US troops that neither do they let them stay in Afghanistan nor let them go back.

According to Reuters, “The policy will trigger a backlash from Kashmiris aggrieved by losing their exclusive right to buy property in the state and to fill state government jobs”

The same behaviour can be noticed in Palestine against the Israeli forces and in the Indian-occupied Kashmir against the Indian troops. Narendra Modi claims that he has tried to bring a new era of peace and prosperity by withdrawing the special status of Jammu and Kashmir, but a recent report of Reuters points out a situation that is altogether different.

The report, referring to a speech Modi made at the Red Fort in New Delhi, says, “Modi said the constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir had encouraged corruption and nepotism, while creating injustice for women, children and minority communities. Today, every Indian can proudly say One Nation, One Constitution.” Modi might be sincere in his opinion but according to Reuters, “The policy will trigger a backlash from Kashmiris aggrieved by losing their exclusive right to buy property in the state and to fill state government jobs.”

In short, the “marvellously gracious” favours of Modi would simply add agony to the sufferings of the helpless Kashmiris. Modi claims that his actions like CAA and NRC are a favour and a blessing for the people of Kashmir and Assam, and for Dalits, Adivasis, Vanvasis, Tamils, Gorkhas and many others belonging to different tribes. Unfortunately, the realities on ground are contrary to Modi’s claims. The amended citizenship Act is nothing but an injustice against all minorities and an attempt to kick out all those who don’t belong to the upper caste Hindu community.

At present, Delhi is witnessing the worst consequences of Modi’s CAA and NRC. The Guardian has recently published the story of a 30-year-old Muslim Musharraf who lived in the Bhagirathi Vihar area of Gokalpuri, north-east Delhi, with his wife and children. That day he was at home when a mob of around 30 men with iron rods and knives broke down the locked door shouting jai Sri Ram. Everyone hid under beds but the assaulters covered everything with kerosene and shouted: “Will you come out or do you want us to burn you alive?”They smashed the bed where Musharraf was hiding underneath and dragged him out into the street. The children ran out, too, and were screaming. His daughter, Kushi, 11, fell on the feet of those men pleading,”Don’t kill my father.” She tried to save him, but they beat him to death in the middle of the street and threw him in the gutter.

The violation of human rights is nothing but depriving people of their basic rights to move freely, to think independently and to do business of their own choice. This is what the Modi government is doing with the minorities in India; the same things have been done by the US led troops in Afghanistan for many years. Unfortunately, in both cases the victims are Muslims. And more unfortunate is the fact that in many places of the world, wherever there is a story of human rights violations, the victims are the Muslims. One reason behind this universal pathetic condition of Muslims is that they lack unity. A painfully agonising indifference of Muslims to one another provides strength and courage to the forces hostile to them. Things will keep on moving in the same direction with the same velocity unless Muslims come out of their selfish and self-centred behaviour.

The writer writes is a columnist and an associate professor of English at Government College of Science, Multan