Mistreating blind protesters

GUJRANWALA: Some time back when I was working on my books Decline of the Muslim Ummah, Tears for Pakistan and Insan Ki Talaash, I was wondering about the variegated form of vices prevailing in Muslim societies, but I had never thought we could steep so low as to beat blind and incapacitated persons and still call ourselves ‘Muslims’. Such brutalities do not only go against the spirit of our religion, but also contravene the very concept of humanity. There couldn’t be anything worse than shoving and beating blind people. This is nothing but inhuman barbarity.

The assault on blind protesters in Lahore only served to multiply their sordid tales of pain and deprivation. ‘Gullu-ism’ was again active in its most brutal and ferocious form. And the most shameful thing is the fact that all this happened near the precincts of those who call themselves educated, the khadims and servants of the people. Is this the modern form of khidmat?

To witness this gradual decline into the dark alley of decadence and brutalisation in Pakistan, was exceedingly painful for me as I had returned from England after abdicating my positions at the University of Cambridge and a London educational institution just to serve my people over here. It was the idea of service and devotion that had moved me to take this decision, which now seems to have betrayed the convictions that had so foolishly crept into my mind.

Although my everyday experiences have not been so fruitful, I never gave up the hope and continued writing books and doing charity work. But this particular incident has disappointed me so much that I have reached a point of deep frustration and exasperation. Can anyone help me strengthen my earlier resolve so that I can continue working for the good of society?

Dr Iqbal Syed Hussain

Published in The Express Tribune, December 10^th,  2014.

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