The other day a pregnant young woman was stoned to death near the Lahore High Court by male members of her immediate family for committing a terrible crime of falling in love and choosing a husband of her choice. She was pitilessly killed in the name of honor. The father confessed immediately and brought his case in the court of justice by claiming that grave crime was committed to safeguard the honor of his family. Now days, blasphemous practice in the name of honor, religion and fame is becoming status symbol in Pakistani culture. According to Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, crimes against humanity are increasingly occurring in Pakistan. Particularly, ratio of crimes against women is increased by 7% every year.
Quoting Mukhtaran Bibi case, who was sentenced to rap by a decision of local Jirga of her village, in exchange to the crime that her brother committed. Her case got international popularity and there were many national and international non-governmental and governmental organizations likely inclined to provide her with justice. Unfortunately, many cases of crimes against women even more severe in nature than Mukhtaraan Bibi case are daily recorded but it just become headlines of news channel. Responsible authorities seem feeble to count down increasing ratio of crimes against woman. Even though the actions are also taken against criminals and off course they are brought to justice. However, regardless to the circumstances and punishments that people may face after committing crimes, they cause offense in the name of honor, religion and fame.
Admittedly, such a crime against honor killing is a depiction of dual character of our culture. On the one hand, 
society is falling prey to pro-modern liberal approaches from openly telecast of romantic songs, dramas and celebration of valentine days on TV channels, co-education system where male and female can associate with each other, the same working places for both male and female to the advertisement of businesses and products on cable networks with back sound play of most hit item girl’s song. On the other hand, conservative approaches from forced marriages, restrictions on choosing life partner to brutal killing of men and women for falling in love with each other and getting love marriages.
society is falling prey to pro-modern liberal approaches from openly telecast of romantic songs, dramas and celebration of valentine days on TV channels, co-education system where male and female can associate with each other, the same working places for both male and female to the advertisement of businesses and products on cable networks with back sound play of most hit item girl’s song. On the other hand, conservative approaches from forced marriages, restrictions on choosing life partner to brutal killing of men and women for falling in love with each other and getting love marriages.
Mediators usually articulate when crimes against humanity get happened otherwise think-tanks to maintain right discourse for Muslim society remain silent. There must be a debate among mediators and lawmakers to devise best system for Pakistani society either it should be pro-modern with frequent prevalence of liberal values or conservative by combining Muslim fundamental values along with our customary rigid norms. Regardless to the criticism derived from the western society or Muslim fundamentalists, a right discourse must be valued and perfect system should be enforced for long lasting peace in the society.
Islam does provide freedom to both male and female to choose life partner; even a Muslim has right to reject or accept any decision (selection) imposed upon him/her by parents or others. However, free association of male and female as we often practice and observe in our daily lives and openly broadcasted on TV channels and cables is nowhere allowed in Islam. Customary traditions and values are also rigid toward free association of male and female for instance no father, brother and husband can afford that his daughter, sister and wife tend to establish any type of relation which we call today “Just Friendship” and further bring a couple on the coerce to fall in love. In simple meaning, it is disguised relationship between male and female which is generally discarded in our society; when they are caught red handed, sometimes cause brutal offenses. Law must be framed according to customary norms and Muslim values that set limitations and punishments for all segments involved in causing such circumstances.
Turning back to the grave crime that occurred near Lahore High Court, Islam devises punishment of stoning only in case of adultery (when a married woman/man has proven sexual relationship/intercourse with a woman/man other than actual husband/wife) therefore this event is an outcome of undefined limitations and dual cultural characteristic being practiced in our society. This is even not new rather now being discussed more since electronics media started highlighting occurrence of such events more and more. The only way to restrict such crimes is to prescribe certain laws that satisfied Muslim values and customary norms, for that may be the whole Pakistani social setup will have to be changed.
The writer is credited with Master’s Degrees in Economics and International Relations (Pakistan), Graduate Degree For Courework in European Economics (Sweden) and also have been certified in Human Rights (Sweden).
0 Comments :
Post a Comment