Revolutionary suicide

Jim Jones was an American preacher, communist, political activist (peoples temple) and a faith healer. He was distinguished through his activism and preaching of human rights. Due to his charismatic nature and self-acclaimed divinity, his followers turned over their properties and assets to him in order to aid their messiah who seemed to be the only saviour amongst the corrupt politicians of the time. Jim Jones eventually formed Jonestown, a commune in a remote jungle of Guyana where he and his followers lived. Eventually, upon Jim Jones’ orders, his followers committed mass suicide by drinking poison after which he shot himself in the head.

The eerie similarities between our very own reverend and the cult leader Jim Jones are too alarming to be ignored. But you might be thinking that the entire notion of comparing our guru to a cult leader has already been expounded upon by various analysts and academics who are far more informed and prudent than I am. Be assured, I have also put forth similar views in my previous articles published here titled ‘Cult of personality’ and ‘We the people’ which did not go down very well with Mr Khan’s ‘loyal followers’. This instant piece is an extension of my previous views on cult behaviour, so if your charismatic leader does not advocate for tolerance and a healthy exchange of views, then please, look away right now.

At this point, all sane and reasonable individuals have become fully aware of the former PM’s changing views. Ranging from economic management to opinions about the opposite sex, we have seen it all. Despite such ‘U-turns’, as people like to call it, Mr Khan has managed to not only maintain his aura of charm but has surprisingly managed to increase his followers. And mind you, these followers are eloquent, industrious and conscientious people who we believed possessed the ability to reason, but oh, how wrong were we.

For a man who believes that if a woman wears less clothes, it will have an impact on men because they aren’t robots, our reverend has managed to appallingly garner massive support. For all those who spoke against misogyny, sexism and violent sexual crimes are somehow blindly commending the former PM’s rhetoric against the ‘thieves’ who have looted this country. Fills my heart with joy to see the reverend’s naïve followers thriving upon this worn-out rhetoric. I mean who cares about policies or future plans, what really matters is blaming your ineptness on those who were governing before you.

For a second, let your imagination run wild. Imagine if Mr Khan instructed his loyal followers to accompany him in the middle of nowhere, say a ranch, where they would form a commune and live happily ever after, forming their own little cult and bowing down to the wishes and commands of their leader. I would not be surprised if the participants of his ‘power shows’ would adhere to his directions and do what their supreme leader tells them to do.

Let’s take it a step further. Imagine, if the cult leader instructed his followers to go out and kill the people who are allegedly looting this country, would they do what they are told to do? Would they keep their morals, values and views aside and in the name of nationalism and kill? Would you followers be fine with it? All these things are possible if the leader orders. Blind nationalism and egoistic pride make you do heinous things, especially when you are made to believe that only the messiah can save us and he is the only hope.

Jim Jones’ followers drank poison on his orders which resulted in mass suicide. Nearly 909 people died amongst which 304 were children. The paranoid Jim Jones warned his followers that the external government would torture them and kill them. Sounds very familiar. But ask yourself, would our very own guru’s followers drink poison in his name if he asked them to? Introspect, make sure you aren’t unintentionally part of a cult.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 20^th, 2022.

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