Age of barbarity

There are certain signs that become visible when nations slip and stumble off the path of civilisation. It is now clear we have stumbled and fallen off the pier along which orderly nations walk. Incidents of mob attacks, murders and amputations are becoming more and more frequent. People accused of blasphemy have been killed in cold blood — even though no evidence exists of their guilt. In the north, the Taliban have lopped off heads and hands at will, conducting extra-judicial trials that, in most cases, do not even pretend to adhere to any known notion of justice. In other places, women face punishments so terrible that it is hard to imagine such acts can even be contemplated in this day and age. The failure to speak out means more outrages take place, even as we watch.

In Sialkot, where two teenage boys were beaten to death – apparently to settle an enmity – people simply watched.  Alongside the men gathered to watch the murder, the film-maker who shot the ‘action’ on his mobile phone too apparently did nothing to save them. The victims were aged only 16 and 18. The brothers will never grow to be men, never take up jobs and never raise families. What makes matters worse is the indication that the authorities, including the police, lied about what happened. Differing accounts suggest the boys may have been killed following a dispute over a cricket game or a robbery. The Supreme Court, which took suo motu notice of the case, has ordered an inquiry.

Perhaps this will result in the truth coming forward. But the fact is that in too many cases this does not happen. The rule of the mob is becoming more and more established in our country. Linesmen – who have no influence over power policy – are beaten up, doctors assaulted when a patient dies and attempts made to shoot traffic policemen who stop a violator. Somehow order needs to be restored in this jungle. Otherwise the vines that climb up everywhere could overwhelm us and squeeze out the life that still exists in our country.

Published in The Express Tribune August 22^nd, 2010.