Another lynching

One more disgusting mob lynching incident has left our heads hanging in shame. In what seems to be a fist of anger by a misguided crowd, a mentally retarded person who allegedly resorted to blasphemy was brutally killed in Khanewal town of Punjab. This highly condemnable incident simply underlines the fact that similar previous acts failed to stand the test of trial, and there was no exemplary retribution. Thus, the psyche of all those who believe in taking law into their hands is upbeat, and they do not bother to look at the saner picture of compassion and consolation. Likewise, there is no fear instilled in their hearts that the law would take its course. It squarely reflects how intolerant we are as a societal unit, and how ineffective valves of redressing grievances have turned out to be. Peer leaders, politicians, administration and religious scholars have not lived up to the expectations of carving out a rational and considerate society, and this is why extremism thrives.

The Khanewal lynching wherein a middle-aged man was stoned to death after being tied to a tree is shocking. If one goes further into the details of the gruesome incident, it was evident that even police personnel were unable to rescue the victim, and the mob had its way. This speaks a lot about the incapacity of the police, and even hints at the superficial role they played under pressure from a charged crowd. If the police had exhibited their professional guts, then the poor man could have at least been saved. It’s a pity that there wasn’t even a single Adnan Malik in Khanewal, the hero who tried to save Sri Lankan national Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot.

It is pointless to take to the chorus after every such incident that zero-tolerance will be exhibited, and the culprits punished. It is not happening at all. If stringent retribution had taken place, then it would have acted as a deterrence. It’s high time for the government to undertake an exercise in humility to educate the people that no one can assume the role of being judge, jury and executioner. It is un-Islamic in essence and devoid of humanity.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 15^th, 2022.

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