Privilege and inclusion

I know I check off all the boxes correctly that make my life a little less challenging. I am a male, Sunni and Punjabi. Just ask any woman in the country about her daily battles. Societal regulations on what she can, and cannot do, the widespread culture of misogyny and rampant harassment, from verbal to psychological to physical continues to shape their existence. Ask a Hazara or an Ahmadi whether they feel that they are full and equal citizens of the country and you will realise how easy life is for so many of us. The genuine grievances of those from provinces other than, and a desire to be treated equally may be is in the news these days, but these are not new. The price of asymmetric and unequal rights was paid heavily 47 years ago in 1971.

What I consider a normal yet unearned life under the law is an unimaginable life of privilege and luxury for millions. There are millions of others in the country who enjoy the rights of citizenship and the right to control and shape the national narrative in ways that suits them the most which is neither fair nor productive in constructing a state that is built to last.

Harassment of those who stand up for the rights of the marginalised should never be accepted, when it happens in the streets or even when it happens at a university. Equally important is the ability of citizens to discuss these complex issues at various forums. The fact that universities, students and faculty are unable to hold debates is deeply troubling and concerning.

Critical thinking and an open debate is neither a fad nor a sign of some Western-inspired liberalism. It is the very nature of education and has always been the engine of intellectual development. The classroom is the place where new ideas should always be welcome, new debates always encouraged. The concept of refraining from discussing sensitive topics is fundamentally flawed and the experiment to teach only what is allowed by higher powers has never worked. Soviets tried that at their institutions and failed miserably. The notion that everyone who is interested in a debate about inclusion, and discussion of equal rights is paid by the enemy and is inherently anti-state is just both bizarre and insulting.

History tells us that great issues of inclusion, that have resulted in a better society, were not only driven by those who were wronged, but also supported by the thoughtful and inspired members of the oppressing community. The suffragette movement, and the right to vote for women, was led by incredibly strong, driven, motivated and brave women. But there were men who saw this as an opportunity to fix a historic wrong. These men were not doing anyone any favours, but just standing up for what was right.

During the civil rights movement in the US, black leaders were at the forefront to demand equal rights, and were also supported by those who were not black. The issue of racial justice was also an issue of human dignity and decency and was supported by many who saw the superiority of one race over the other as an evil artefact of the society. While few, there were white activists, social workers and thinkers who found apartheid abhorrent and worked alongside the black leaders of the African National Congress for a better society.

As we reflect on the great debate of our time, the supposed issue of national security versus national inclusion, there should be no doubt in our mind. Inclusive are always more secure, stable and more lasting. It is time that all of us, those who are already included, and those who have a rightful desire to equality under the law, worked together for a society that is driven not by fear, but by equality, fairness and inclusion.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2018.

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