Together we rise: In a fragmented society, a harbinger of unity

Dr Mubarak Ali speaks about the possibility of social change, role of change agents.

ISLAMABAD:

The urge to bring about a change in the society begins in the mind. The struggle of farmers in China or the students of Germany, the reforms in Britain or the revolution of France, all such movements bore fruit because the people of these regions had realised the oppression of status-quo and the enticement of liberation.

On Monday, seasoned historian Dr Mubarak Ali spoke about the possibility of such ‘change’ in Pakistan. The lecture titled “Agents of Change and Society” was organised by ‘Badalti Dunya’, a magazine accredited with promoting progressive thought in the country. It was attended by intellectuals and activists who have been striving as trade unionists, activists and writers “to break the shackles of traditional oppression for years”.

“Conservatives will always hold an upper hand. Their control on the state of affairs will always want to prevent an alteration in the social fabric,” said the intellectual at the conference hall of Pakistan Academy of Letters. With the comfort of established traditions behind them and tools of authority at their disposal, these powers put the progressive forces at a disadvantage, he elaborated.

He was speaking from experience. Ayub Malik, general secretary, Awami Party Pakistan, in his introductory speech had many such incidents to narrate about Dr Ali. “Even after having obtained an appointment letter from the Punjab University, Dr sahib was not allowed to teach, for the administration feared a law and order situation if the students were exposed to his ‘revolutionary ideas’,” he said. The state, added Malik, did not want the energetic youth to think about the “subjugation they suffered at the hands of traditions and state”. “The rulers fear people who think with an open mind,” he said.

With such policies, Dr Ali explained, the state was successful in suppressing the strongest force of change — the student body. Educational institutions like Punjab University and Sindh University were shifted outside the city and student unions were disbanded. The result for General Zia, unlike the previous dictator General Ayub, was a calm stay in power devoid of student interference.

Similarly, other agents of change, which include intellectuals, farmers, labourers, political parties, pressure groups and even organisations promoting rights of women, all lacked momentum and operating in isolation had affected their pursuit of ‘progress’. The socially and religiously ordained caste system in Indo-Pak has always put farmers’ demands at the backburner. “The might of the feudals is a reality, but the tale of defiance from the farmers of Okara validates the hope that lies in resilience,” Dr Ali said.

The opportunist political parties, lack of outreach of regional pressure groups and negativity surrounding “liberal” women’s right organisations, according to Dr Ali, were inhibiting the likelihood of social reforms.

The driving forces behind such aspirations of change are intellectuals. “But many like Habib Jalib, are isolated and made to forget, while others are bought by the state,” said the man who is credited with bringing history to the doorstep of the common man. “Edward Said once said that if a thinker joins the state, his independent role ends there and that often happens in this country,” he added.

Summing up his argument, Dr Ali pointed out that the corrupt rulers, failing institutions and oppressive traditions had all paved a way for a need to change. The growing realisation of being let down by the state is a harbinger of unity among the divided people of this country, he said, as the ever-so-punctual power outage forced people to make hand-fans out of their writing pads.

A renowned activist and writer, Ashfaque Saleem Mirza, who was presiding over the event shared his views on the topic and discussed the subaltern approach to studying history introduced by Dr Ali. He then called upon Shahram Azhar, the lead vocalist of the band, Laal, which has gained fame for popularising revolutionary poetry.

Employing powerful vocals to give emotions to Habib Jalib’s detestation of status quo, Azhar’s performance served as a perfect ending to the proceedings. The pursuit of a great journey begins with a realisation. Jalib said many years ago, Aisay dastur ko subh-e-baynoor ko, main naheen manta, main naheen janta (Such a system, like dawn without light, I refuse to acknowledge, I refuse to accept).



Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2011.