The Kaaba is getting new guards from the sanctuary of politics. From Punjab Assembly to the Sindh Assembly, the duty of defending religious slogans is being carried out by those who are apparently secular politicians.
Construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad is now a new topic. Every political party is moving forward and proving itself to be the protector of Islam. In Punjab, there is competition between PML-N and PML-Q. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has released his video message and Chaudhary Shujat Hussain has drafted a letter to Prime Minister Imran. PML-N is also following in the footsteps and is set to present a resolution in the Punjab Assembly. Earlier, the Punjab Assembly had banned some books on religious grounds. May Allah accept their services, but when politicians get bogged down in the service of religion in this way, my mind starts to tingle. This concern is rooted in our history.
In the political story of Pakistan, religion has always been used for power politics. It is no longer a secret that religious movements which took place from 1950s to 1980s had political motives behind them. When any political movement is initiated in the name of religion, the only motive is to extract political gains.
Those who hit the streets in 1977 only to get wounded by bullets and tear gasses, their purpose was not to topple Bhutto’s government alone but to inject the serum of religious extremism in the masses . However, the political benefits fell into the hands of those who carry out these movements for their own nefarious purposes. To understand this, it is enough to see in whose court the sun of power rose after the uproar of the movement.
Politicians, whether in power or in opposition, are aware that the people of this country are less conscious and more emotionally attached to religion. They are only interested in the aspect of religion that provokes public sentiment. As for certain rules of the religion which are directly related to the rulers; they never care to practice them. Their case has always been the same as stated by Jesus, that mosquitoes sift and camels swallow. As a ruler, when he imposes Islam, to him it means the imposition of Islam on others. They themselves never abide by the orders religion has directed for them also.
For example, masses knew that Bhutto was an alcoholic. He never hid it, but it was Bhutto who banned alcohol. He knew the law would not apply to him. The purpose of this order was to silence his political opponents and defeat them on the political front who questioned his secular identity and intended to portray his own self as God-fearing.
Similarly, when Nawaz Sharif’s government was introducing the Shariah Bill, it was only at the behest of the political allies who were his allies in the Islamic Democratic Alliance, otherwise everyone knew that such a move had no place in N-league’s politics. He also wanted to find an Amir al-mu’minin in order to strengthen his authority. Interestingly, Maulana Fazlur Rehman was the biggest opponent of the bill which was initiated by Deobandi scholars like Maulana Samiul Haq.
If I look at the past of Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, he does not look different from other politicians. While supporting General Pervez Musharraf, he did not consider it necessary to stop for a while and consult a scholar on what Islam says in this matter. Is it permissible in Islam to side with the occupier of power without constitutional and moral justification? Not only that, he announced that he would make Musharraf president ten times in uniform. Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi never once considered the question of what is the ruling of religion regarding supporting such an individual.
Against this background, I am concerned when politicians go naked in defense of Islam just for mere power politics. Given this history, when I see the new manifestations of right wing extremist groups, I find myself compelled to understand it in the context of political dynamics, rather than religion.
Before Islamabad came into existence, there was an ancient temple in SaidPur, but it too was turned into a tourist attraction a few years ago and worship stopped there. There is no center or crematorium for Hindu community in the capital now. By the way, there is no restriction in the constitution and law of Pakistan on the construction of a new place of worship, but unfortunately in front of a charged mob, the constitution appears dwarfed.
I fear that religion is again being used as a political weapon. Will religion be used against Imran Khan as it has been done in the past? If anyone intends to do that, it would be dis-loyalty towards religion and the country. Opposition to Imran Khan should be on political grounds. The political use of religion has endangered not only the moral foundations of our society but also the stability of the state.
I am a human being who wants to see the whole world as the cradle of peace that should always raise its voice to prevent motives like war, murder, inequality, indifference, racism and more. I am a “human being” who has to point out every oppression, injustice and slander. I am humanist, I will continue to speak of equality and justice in society. And I will continue to contribute to the formation of an ideal society.
Note: In this column, “I am a human being” refers to all people who are humane.
