Attending Mashal March

Isloo folks, how was the weekend?

There were a few events on offer this weekend break: 1) Rang E Baharan at Art and Craft Village Islamabad in Shakarparian 2) ITP Family Gala in Fatima Jinnah Park and, 3) Face Music Mela 2019 at the PNCA. There was also the Mashal March organised by the Progressive Students Federation at the Islamabad Press Club. What to choose? Music or standing up against extremism? You could choose between family fun in the capital city of Pakistan or attend a march in the memory of a student who was mercilessly lynched at a university campus? So what did you go for?

Seriously, how many folks knew about Mashal March? And, how many citizens knew it was Mashal Khan’s 2^nd death anniversary? Did television media mark the day? I fortunately found out about it through WDF, having joined it a few weeks ago.

Just a day before, more than 20 people from the Hazara community were killed in a suicide bombing in Quetta. This was of course addressed at the March with vehemence and indignation – in fact, it was described as the continued open season on the Hazara community.

Where is the vehemence and indignation I wondered? Is it limited to the folks who were present at the March? I think there were about a 100 people at the March. The speakers delivered fiery speeches. The protestors held up hard-hitting placards. Everyone there was in unison. But where is everyone else, I wondered? The music mela and family fun fairs?

From recent memory, we have the white supremacist attacks against 2 mosques in peaceful and idyllic New Zealand, whose Prime Minister is now being hailed as the model of a true leader. See one piece here: 5 ways world leaders can learn from New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. I believe Imran Khan issued a Tweet – whether or not he visited the Quetta victims or has shown exemplary grace and leadership is doubtful. If correct leadership were shown, the public would also follow: all public festivities should be cancelled or postponed and, there would be organised support for victims.  I wrote to one of my former colleagues and dear Kiwi friend after the attacks and she wrote this to me on 18 March:

“NZers have responded as only we can with outpourtings of support for the muslim population with $4.2mill already raised for the families of those affected, offers of free transportation from hotels and private citizens, meals being prepared for families suffering, Govt and local council support for the preparation of grave sites and all related services - the list goes on and vigils happening all over the country.”

In fact, I read that the Jewish community from Pittsburgh raised money for the Christchurch victims. If anyone remembers, there was a white supremacist attack in the US against a synagogue and the local Muslim community responded with kindness and solidarity.

Tragically, terrorist attacks against the Hazara community have been too many to count. So, it’s business as usual and, Balochistan might as well be in another part of the world – the misery and suffering of a minority is irrelevant to a largely apathetic and/or religiously brainwashed public.

The stage of the Mashal Khan March seethed with anger and feelings of injustice. One of Mashal Khan’s teachers spoke. Students spoke. Even Pervez Hoodbhoy spoke! I was so excited to see him amongst the audience and then marching alongside with us.

The March reminded us that university campuses have become playing grounds for hatred and violence. Khalid Hameed, an English Lit professor was murdered by his student at a university in Bhawalpur, a few weeks ago. Junaid Hafeez was arrested on blasphemy charges in 2013 and languishes on death row.  Mashal Khan ‘s own horrific death was caused by a mob of students on charges of blasphemy.

Almost all the speakers reminded us that student unions were banned during Zia ul Haq’s time and, their banning has been a factor in the rising hatred on campuses.

And, then there’s the foundation of it all, the rock on which lives are brutally obliterated or banished to dungeons: the Blasphemy Law. One speaker passionately demanded: but even if Mashal Khan had sinned, are you going to kill him? And, what is it anyone’s business what I choose to or not choose to believe in? He even on to say that we have to go back to the inception of Pakistan which was created on the basis of religion, not the ideals of a Che Guevera or a Fidel Castro.

These are the angry sentiments that many of us feel – when confronted with religious hatred and control in our own personal lives; thousands slaughtered in sectarian attacks; the stifling religiosity of society; and, official state rhetoric and narrative. We question the entire raison d’être of Pakistan, a country forged on a communal identity. But can you really ask such dangerous questions?

The state of Mashal March asked these burning questions: about disappearances, state violence, state sponsorship of banned outfits, the Army and ISI, etc.

I was star struck with seeing Pervez Hoodbhoy, speaking with a fiery zeal about the abysmal condition of education. What is the point of spending more money on education if it’s merely producing a mob, he asked? (Later I met him and asked him for a photograph with him. Who carries an autograph book anymore? We ask for photographs.)

So, how’d you spend your weekend, Islamabadis? Rocking at a mela or oppressed but charged by attending the Mashal March? 

PS. It is quite staggering and monumental that 13 April is also the date of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.