2017 - The Debates

Archive for 2017

A tenuous boundary

The debate to validate or falsify the theory of evolution does not warrant heated discussions and academic and intellectual debates; a close and critical observation of Man’s actions and manners themselves validates the theory. He sheds blood of his fellow beings, maims them for life even perish them when there comes a conflict of identical interest. He has no qualms to rob someone merely to gratify his carnal needs and deprive the weaker ones of. Driven by the same desires to satisfy his senses even in the hereafter, he commits inhumane acts with a ‘holy mission’. The disposition easily leads one to the genesis of Man which needs not further intellectual labour and utilization of scientific means. Two conclusions can be drawn. First, there indeed is a very tenuous and thin boundary between animals and Man, which is almost negligible. Secondly the line is very frequently crossed, though goes unnoticed, and Man practices the mores common to the visible descendants of the same ancestors.

The comparison does not end here, rather encompasses most of Man’s actions. Rape is one such manifestation. By closely examining the act, it can safely be traced to the animal community. Who (sometimes though not all the times) act just the way Man does in rape. Both the technique and end is the same in case of Man and animals. If critically analyzed the other actions like robbery, theft, murder and fighting narrows down the distance yet further.

The incident in the recent past of stripping off a teenage girl in public at Dera Ismail Khan by the rivals of her family and the murder of Zainab at Kasur, are the best manifestation not only of Man’s distant ancestors in animals but also of the existence of an untamable animal inside. It has become a fashion statement to call a particular situation as critical and alarming, but given the nature of the incident one must be alarmed and frightened by the way Man has started treading on. Perhaps animals too will be ashamed of the incident. However, the worrying bit is that even the incident has not moved most of the people and the same is used for political scoring.

The incident occurred in a time when another gruesome incident of the nature was hardly forgotten. A girl wasrapped, and the elders of the community in its verdict declared that brother of the victim girl should rap the sister of the assailant boy. it indeed was a sad reflection of fair play and a marked departure from sanity and reasoning. Should the sins of person visit onanother one?

The only distinction of Man is the institutions which regulate and direct him to do things systemically and properly, ensure fair play, know his rights and duties, observe values and conform to certain customs and traditions etc. if Man fails to observe the values and conforms to the codes then sophisticated food, cloth and shelter cannot distinguish him, rather reflect his avarice of gaining more and more, whereas animal are content with they are provided with.

Kamila Shamsie's Home Fire: A Review

Unknown 12:06:00 0 Comment

Unknown

By:

Ullah, Inam Gul. iukhan233@gmail.com

Kamila Shamsie’ latest novel Home Fire is indeed a reflection of her art of storytelling and eloquent description. The novel is set in Britain, America, however she, as her usual stock scene, does not forget to shifts the scene to Karachi, her birth place. The novels deals with issues faced by Pakistani migrants and diaspora communities especially in the post-colonial British settings, and the rise of ISIS.

The novel begins with Isma, whose family is settled in London, leaves for America to pursue her PhD. She leaves behind two other orphan siblings: Aneeka and Perviz. Their father ,being a Jihadi, had died on his way to Guantanamobay. However, later Perviz is also driven into the war theatre by IS. Isma in USA comes into contact with Emmon, who is the son of the Home Secretary at London. They forge relationship but it does not last for long as Emmon leaves back for London.

In London Emmon comes into contact with Isma’s sister Aneeka and they develop a an intimate relationship. Aneeka wants Emmon, being the son of Home Secreatry, to be instrumental in bringing her brother back to London through his father’s influence. Things, however, don’t happen as she plans them. The Secretary does not agree to the plea of his son, and in turn wants his son to break the relationship with Aneeka, Emmon is not ready to do so. Aneeka and Emmon are having frequent dates with cross purposes, Aneeka focused on the thoughts of bringing her brother back to London, Emmon enjoys the movements.

Perviz, in the meanwhile tires to flee back to London from the camp of terrorists. While trying to reach the British Consulate at Ankara , is shot by someone and dies there. The crises surfaces, when it comes to the burial of the deceased. British government refuses to receive the corpse, whereas Aneeka insists on getting him back to London. However, she does not succeed and the corpse is subsequently transported to Karachi with mixed responses from the public and the government. Aneeka arrives to Karachi for the funeral rites of her brother. Emmon, despite of his father unwillingness, flies to Karachi and joins Aneeka at this hour of trial.

The novel depicts how the immigrants are influenced by the culture of the host countries and are victims of identity crises on the political, social and cultural fronts. Shamsie depicts the uncertain and precarious position of the migrants especially on the political aspects. They are not willingly owned by either country when they need support from it. Mixed loyalties and tough choices are reflected as motifs in the novel.

A sledgehammer to crack a nut

Unknown 10:19:00 0 Comment

Unknown

By:
Ullah, Inam Gul.

Choices in certain cases are indeed very much restricted whereas in other they are non-existent, birth and death definitely fall in the latter category. Birth, without his consent, pushes Man into a state of quagmire and warrants his aptitude and skills for the survival. The planet is never a bed of roses and poses challenges to all and sundry, however, for some ,these challenges are more severe and harder to surmount. One such species is transgender, who from their very day of birth start facing numerous challenges which continue till they kick the bucket. The challenges range from identity crisis on biological grounds, social standing and means of livelihood.

Their sole and major crime is their biological make up, as they cannot be classed either into male or female, and are therefore ostracized by their own parents and family members. The family can’t afford to carry the stigma of having a child of abnormal birth. The child is ostracized and left to fight for his own survival, and thus the ‘family honor is saved’. No heeds is paid to the fact that to what extent the child is guilty? Was it consented by him to be licked into such a form? The action is divorced from sanity and logical reasoning and is only directed at saving the ‘honor ‘of the family. The act of ostracizing ushers them into state of social insecurity and are made to face gross social injustice. They are not even accepted as domestic servant nor chosen for other types of jobs which the so called normal people can do. A demarcation line is drawn between them and the other people; they are neither welcomed nor ever invited in social gatherings, funerals etc and are secluded to possible extent.

Driven by the necessity of survival they capitalize on their biological make and resort to dancing etc in the functions and festive occasions of the ‘normal people’. The professional proves as the sole source of their livelihood. Even in the profession the environment is never conducive and friendly, they are frequently subjected to harassment, catcalling and sexual abuses. But in the absence of any other means of livelihood they have to take up with such attitude of the ‘normal people’. The situation sometimes even result into incidents in which they even lose their lives, the death of Alisha is one such recent example of the nature.

The worrying bit is that it is not only the public which refuses space, and show apathy to them, the government too is equally indifferent to their plight. Their stations are usually raided; they are arrested, and are asked to pay police the ‘protection money’ out of their meager income. However, a strange, yet a pathetic case appeared in Swat, where the police raided a local station of the transgenders and they were locked up in the Mingora police station. The reason cited by the SHO was totally illogical and a blatant violation of the constitution of Pakistan. According to the SHO, some of the transgender persons belonged to other district other than Swat and therefore they should be sent back to their places of birth. He also appealed to the owners of the buildings not rent their buildings to the transgenders. There is neither any logic, nor legality nor sanity in both the words and action of the police.

At first place the action is a blatant violation of the constitution of Pakistan and a bid of denying the fundamental rights of the citizens as enunciated by the constitution. Article 15 of the constitution reads as:

“Freedom of movement, etc.- Every citizen shall have the right to remain

in, and, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed by law in the public interest, enter and move freely throughout Pakistan and to reside and settle in any part

thereof ”.

Secondly, the transgenders are not given space everywhere especially in the rural areas, therefore they set for the urban areas where they are comparatively at ease and feel conformable, though not completely, with their surroundings. The case of Alisha’s murder and the treatment meted out to her at the hospital is enough a proof of the space society gives to the transgender community. Alisha was killed allegedly after she had rejected sexual advances by the murderer. When taken to hospital the doctor, the cream and charm of the society, instead of curing her wounds prompted to a flurry of stupid and nonsense questions: how much the transgender charge for one night, what are the service they provide? Is sex included in the services? etc. Alisha finally succumbed to the fatal wounds in the hospital. Neither heavens trembled nor Man’s conscience awoke and the treatment continues…