Muharram vigilance

The interior ministry has reportedly denied the Punjab government’s request to suspend some social media apps from Muharram 6 to 11. The provincial government had sought the suspension of Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, TikTok, etc to curb the spread of sectarian hate material, rampant during the month of Muharram. While it is important to acknowledge that our social media platforms become a hotbed of hate speech during Muharram, it is equally crucial to realise that a blanket ban on social media platforms would not get us anywhere – at least not in the long term. Given the potential for hate speech to exacerbate sectarian violence in the country, it is crucial that the government address the issue wisely. Shutting down social media to control discourse – and everything else – has become our authorities’ default strategy. If our history of bans and suspensions has taught us anything, it is that the more you try to suppress a sentiment, the more ways and forms it finds to manifest itself.

In the short term, the government should put resources into enhancing monitoring and control of social media and digital platforms, but only to quickly identify and remove hate speech content. Second, deploy law enforcement personnel at sensitive locations, such as mosques, Imambargahs and procession routes, to prevent any untoward incidents. However, in the long run, the government will need to promote interfaith dialogue, community programmes to genuinely foster harmony, instead of forcing it. Most importantly, it will need to rein in organisations, groups and individuals notorious for fanning sectarian violence. The time to end covert support to such entities has been upon us for years now. What will it take for us to realise that? Additionally, the state must recognise the importance of fostering informed critical discourse, which can play a vital role in combating hate speech and promoting understanding among different communities.