KARACHI: A strike is an established and recognised mode of protest. However, no matter how justifiable the underlying cause or motivation may be, I cannot but question the wisdom of a strike, especially in our country.
Think of the plight of the daily wage-earners and their families, who are struggling to survive — labourers, rickshaw drivers, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, tailors, transport workers, shopkeepers and all those who cannot go to work because public transport is suspended and are under virtual house arrest because of the law and order situation. These are the people who pay the price of a strike call.
Think of the students who are unable to attend schools and colleges. It is they who pay the price. Similarly, when lawyers go on strike, who suffers? The common man, who is already fed up and frustrated with unconscionable delays in the justice system. A strike is disrupting and destabilising. People do not leave their homes, not because they support the cause but because of fear.
Aren’t there other forms of protest? Why not hold peaceful processions and rallies, meetings, hunger strikes, singing and dancing on roads, sleeping on pavements, wearing badges, etc? Strikes hurt the poor and innocent. For God’s sake, please cease to strike!
AM Haider Mota
Published in The Express Tribune, February 15th, 2013.
