You Blasphemer!

       

          There have been fights in the name of religion and directly for the religion(s) as well. Then let it be the Crusades, Holocaust or the Islamic battles, religion has remained the darling of the people as people find or try to reach Salvation through it. This, "Apple of an Eye" nature of religion in Pakistan has been on peak as well since Adam as it has always been used in Pakistan to shelter misdeeds and this cover becomes even thicker and tough by the blasphemy law which is rooted in the Indian Penal Code of 1860, established during the time of British colonization. In 1889, a light penal clause was added pertaining to defiling or insulting any religion and later in 1927, the British colonizers made it a criminal offence to commit “deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religious beliefs”.

          But before talking about anything, let’s just have a look on facts which are: The established argument in the syllabus and minds of Pakistanis is that our country is taken in the name of Islam for Muslims of the sub-continent because they differed from other communities; i.e., Hindus, Sikhs and British who tortured and abused them in all means; physically, mentally, sexually and psychologically. Imagine, isn’t it normal for the students to be hateful and extremists who grow up reading such a “Nice” syllabus? I wish that the things had been only this much bad but we constructed our very own; “Made in Pakistan” Ideological Boundaries as well which nowhere exist in the modern world. Such syllabus, these boundaries and the presence of Blasphemy law have brought us to the point where masses make themselves legitimate by bragging their closeness to Islam and many misdeeds have been pronounced good, in the name of religion. Many lives have been drained in the name of so-called and actual blasphemies as questioning one’s blasphemy is itself considered a blasphemy.

          The funny thing is, majority of the blasphemers are Muslims till date and they will always lead this counting because blasphemy has become the tool to tackle the rivals as no-one wants to know the actual crime, just tell them he/she is a blaspheme as many alleged have been murdered before their trials and few are killed on opposing the law.
The legitimacy through religion has got such deep roots that the political slogans in Pakistan are like, “YA ALLAH YA RASOOL, XYZ BAY-QASOOR”. Ironically, not only this but almost every pity aspect of life has been dragged into the circle of religion like languages, dress, food and business timings as well.

          The legacy of Pakistan is filled with violence and bloodshed, the Muslims kill Muslims in different names let alone the minorities and the non-Muslims. There has been sectarian violence and even a large section of clerics wanting the other sects to be declared non-Muslims. The intra-Islamic intolerance is even more alarming than the other sorts of extremism because when the followers of the same group are unable to tolerate each other then how come they would bear the existence of those who are not the follower of their respective religion.

          The situation is too dangerous that even, during the proceedings of Blasphemy cases, Judges are pressurized by different means and such pressures create hard hurdles in the path to justice which makes blasphemy more and more dangerously useable offense. The indifferent nature and attitude of Pakistani masses have made this law, a rule of mass destruction in the hands of the extremists and opportunists who even manipulate this law for their personal hatred and grudges as well and it always gets too late before rescues are made.

          There is a hanging sword on everyone’s head as there is a situation of uncertainty and unrest of getting killed at any nook or corner in the name of Blasphemy which is quite horrible. Let it be Mashal or Rimsha, Shabaz Bhatti or Salman Taseer, no one can be in a safe harbor when it comes to blasphemy.

Our Mistakes

          The gun doesn’t kill anyone but the person pulling the trigger likewise, the blasphemy didn’t take anyone’s life but some factors that paved the way for the acceptance of the Blasphemy Laws are rooted in the evolution of the state of Pakistan and these factors also work as a bombshell for the minorities as:

•    The government may have too many compulsions to use the religion but we at our homes, don’t share our utensils with our maids.

•    In Schools, Universities and other places the domestic workers are treated in a different way which creates negative sentiments and feeling in the minds of both.

•    The state made syllabus teaches the student about the torture and malpractices of the warriors who damaged and violated human rights of the minorities, as hero and such sentiments are sowed in pupils’ mind that these activities are an achievement and one must be proud of doing these acts.

•    The religion taught in schools is not in-depth and the interpretations of the religion taught in schools are biased towards other sects or some school of thoughts.

•    Head of state should be selected on the basis of his religion but intellect.

     Criticism has always been a healthy thing but Insult has always been unacceptable as it hurts the self-esteem so the laws are always meant to maintain the equilibrium and the Blasphemy law is supposed to keep the people in the limits so the beauty of argument will be balanced in the country and a debating culture will also be flourished. But again, the people misuse the law to gain undue advantages which makes the law look horrible. There is an extreme need of change in the thoughts and mindsets of the people regarding different beliefs and we must see people as a human regardless of what they think and believe in.

          It can be debated that the law is fine or not so the main argument is, no law is suitable and nothing is bad. The ground realities make things right or wrong often. A law can be really good for a particular area but situation can take a complete U-turn in another area. So, in case of Pakistan, such laws which make selected and specific people vulnerable do not suit the country as Pakistan has a very immature and intolerant emotional group of people who see bloodshed as a holy game when it comes to religion or to hate. A mediocre policy should be adopted making, only state and law enforcement institutions eligible to decide whether a particular action comes under the jurisdiction of Blasphemy law or not, and not a single citizen should be entitled to that responsibility as it is really very chaotic.

•    The recent statements from the religious groups and renowned and followed after the Mashal Khan’s incident are very positive gesture where they said that only the government is entitled to punish the blasphemes and under no circumstances, a common man can kill a blasphemer. Such rhetoric must make common and public.

•    If someone falsely accuses anyone of blasphemy then a trial shall be conducted for the person blaming other falsely so the environment of threatening and blackmailing will slowly be diminished.

•    A universal interpretation and an in-depth teaching of religion are required at schools, colleges, and universities.

•    The unregistered institutes, let them be Madarsas or Schools, must be stopped from functioning without any further delay.

•    Religion and its tolerance should be taught at institutions; schools, colleges, universities etc. and should also be telecasted on electronic media and should be printed in print media as well so that a vast number of people with an availability of any of the mentioned sources may come across to the real essence of religion.

•    People who spread hate sentiments among people regarding any sect, belief or religion should be severely punished and fined so that such activities are discouraged and a peaceful atmosphere be developed among the people and a harmonic culture may prevail.

•    Laws must be softened for those who repent their deeds, this sort of softened treatment would create a loving gesture in the hearts of the people about religion and patriotism would be escalated.

         Basically, when killer becomes a hero by taking the life of a Blasphemer and sadly, he/she doesn’t face any consequences then such assurances to become a hero without being punished encourage more people to carry out such deeds fearlessly and in return, extremism grows and this is one the core reasons for the mushroom growth of extremism in Pakistan.

          Humanity and the international law both allow and enjoy freedom of speech and the disagreement is also embraced wholeheartedly but no religion, no human, no caste or country tolerates insult and contempt. There is a narrow sharp line between an opinion and the contempt and to keep that gap and difference, such laws must be followed so that self-respect and self-esteems can be safeguarded at individual and state levels otherwise we will have many cases identical to the Charlie Hebdo.

          The Blasphemy law is too normal like many other laws but its continuous abuse by the extremists; i.e., Talibans and their supporters makes it seem out of the world. Therefore, the International Human Rights Standards should be utilized and put into action to halt the malpractice of such laws which suit only a few and harm the rest, unlawfully and inhumanely and now there is a strict need to address this or our fellow human beings will remain vulnerable and defenseless and it is our ethical and moral responsibility to be in solidarity with them. The charity begins at home and before the state takes any concrete step, we better take some steps on our behalf and let the intensity melt away.

No one shall dare to kill anyone by just saying:

You Blasphemer!

Kanwar naeem

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twitter: @kanwar_naeem