We need to look at the broader picture of this removal of a sculpture and correct course
KARACHI: The controversy over a 20-foot-high ‘satanic’ sculpture has only shown the level of intolerance people in the country have fallen to. The sculpture, which has now been removed, was placed at the Lahore Museum as part of an ongoing exhibition. While some appreciated the artist’s work, others filed a petition in the Lahore High Court asking for the removal of the sculpture.
One can only imagine that if a sculpture that supposedly looked like Satan can make us uncomfortable so much so that we are pushed to file a petition, then no wonder the country’s level of intolerance has only increased over the years.
On the other hand, this also makes one realise that someone would be bothered enough to file court petition for the removal of a sculpture while when it comes to crimes such as child abuse, torture or other such heinous crimes, rarely are they taken to the court. These different dynamics of a single country speaks volumes about the progression — if any — we are going through.
We need to look at the broader picture of this removal of a sculpture and correct course.
Haniya Khalid
Published in The Express Tribune, January 25th, 2019.
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