We have become indifferent and now accept crimes as part and parcel of our daily lives
KARACHI: The other day, I was robbed at gunpoint in the upscale Defence area of Karachi. While I was spared any physical harm, this was the first time such an incident had happened to me. Understandably, I was shaken for a couple of days. The incident, representing the perils and helplessness of living in Karachi, still frustrates and angers me. These feelings are only compounded by other people’s reactions. Narrating the incident to several people, the typical response was, “Glad you are okay. The situation has got really bad, it’s best to give up your belongings without resisting.” What was missing was any expression of shock or anger at the crime that was committed.
I realise that such crimes are now an everyday affair. But does that mean we should just accept them? Or is accepting such crimes become a part of the new social contract we have with the state? We have become indifferent and now accept crimes as part and parcel of our daily lives.
Kabeer Dawani
Published in The Express Tribune, January 10th, 2015.
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