DAWN Editorials - 12th february2025
Posted: Thu Feb 13, 2025 5:01 pm
Hate in India
HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade-long rule is riddled with divisive rhetoric; his BJP is bent on creating discord in Indian society, making daily life for the country’s minorities, particularly the Muslims, increasingly challenging. The US-based think tank, India Hate Lab, has released a new report exposing an alarming surge in hate speech — from 668 cases in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024; communal venom rose by 74.4pc with 98.5pc of the hate speeches directed at Muslims. Over two-thirds occurred in BJP-ruled states or in those run by its allies. As a vital aspect of Mr Modi’s Hindutva politics, communal flames burn brighter during election season. According to the IHL, last year’s election campaign witnessed BJP leaders deliver more than 450 hate speeches with 63 from Mr Modi himself. Indeed, it is high time India’s activists and opposition parties showed greater commitment to battling the evil for the sake of an inclusive and progressive society.
Unfortunately, the state-sponsored diet of hate seems to have gained ground among Indians as public and media outrage is rare. Few have understood that feeding hate deflects attention from the BJP’s failure to deliver the governmental and policy reforms that it promised for a rising India. And hate retains the Hindu-majority vote bank for the party. Allowing rampant hate speech by godmen and lawmakers enables ordinary people from the majority religion to employ violence — such as lynchings and bulldozing homes to degrade and subdue Muslims — to assert a sense of supremacy. The Hindutva rampage — from destroying mosques to economic boycotts of poor Muslims — aims to erase Muslim history. Maligning Muslims is a minor, albeit chilling, part of this agenda. The oil-rich Muslim brotherhood and the international community, which claims to uphold human rights, need to walk the talk.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025
Sunken dreams
ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has left at least 16 Pakistanis dead, with others missing or in detention. This disaster, following closely on the heels of last month’s deaths of a large number of Pakistanis at the hands of human traffickers, underscores the relentless peril faced by those seeking escape from economic hardship and instability at home. Pakistanis have, for years, risked treacherous journeys across the Mediterranean, lured by promises of prosperity in Europe. Many come from KP — in this case the majority belonged to Kurram — where unemployment, insecurity, and lack of economic opportunities force them into the hands of ruthless traffickers. These criminal networks prey on desperation, promising safe passage but delivering only exploitation, extortion, and grisly death. The state’s response to this crisis has been reactionary at best.
Dispatching embassy officials after each tragedy is necessary, but it does little to prevent future calamities. Pakistan must work closely with transit countries such as Libya, Turkey, and the UAE to establish stronger intelligence-sharing and border monitoring to intercept trafficking operations even before boats set sail. Moreover, the authorities must crack down on local recruiters enticing young men with false promises. Too often, these criminals face little accountability, despite countless reports of their involvement in forging documents, arranging illegal transport, and extorting families. The FIA must pursue traffickers with the same vigour as they do other organised crime rings. For this, both resources and political backing is required. Beyond enforcement, the root causes of migration must be addressed. We need targeted interventions in regions like Kurram. When young people see no future at home, no amount of warning about dangers abroad will deter them. The government must focus not just on job creation, but also skills development programmes aligned with domestic and legal international job opportunities. In addition, we need better awareness campaigns. Many victims fall prey to traffickers’ false promises because they lack information about legitimate alternatives. Our embassies abroad should be better equipped to assist Pakistanis in distress and to facilitate legal migration channels. Human trafficking is a national crisis. The state must act now to punish those who profit from this trade and create conditions where no Pakistani feels compelled to risk their life at sea.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025
Ill omens
IT sometimes appears as if those struggling for an independent judiciary have needlessly burdened themselves with preserving the institution’s prestige. When the top judges of the country have few concerns about public perceptions, it seems futile to worry endlessly about institutional integrity. ‘Que sera, sera’, as they say.
Ever since the 26th Amendment, matters seem to have gone according to script without a hitch. Judges perceived as being ‘too independent’ or holding views opposed to the ruling regime’s policies appear to have been systematically sidelined and substituted by individuals seemingly more acceptable to the regime. There has been little transparency about why certain judges have been transferred from one high court to another or why certain judges have been elevated while others have not.
Meanwhile, a disturbing pattern has emerged, with capable judges being denied promotions apparently over their unwillingness to compromise on judicial autonomy and refusal to kowtow to the powers that be.
That all this has continued unchecked despite loud voices of protest being raised from within and without the institution is disappointing. One wonders whether the institutional leadership realises the long-term ramifications of the ongoing ‘remaking’ of the judiciary.
A perception has already built up that the courts are being packed with ‘like-minded’ judges so that the regime can secure legal endorsement for its widely criticised actions and policies.
Ideally, this perception should have been actively avoided; instead, several judges have participated in the decision-making process, which has provided critics with yet another indictment of the present state of the judiciary.
It seems particularly pertinent to point out that while the judges who have found favour with the ruling regime may be very capable, they are quite likely to find it difficult to gain the public’s trust and respect given the circumstances in which they have been handed their responsibilities. The nation does not remember the PCO judges kindly.
Where will this leave the nation? When the institution meant to dispense justice loses public trust in its integrity, to whom do the people turn? This is a worrying question that has been raised before but does not seem to have registered.
It is disquieting that very few of those in important positions seem to think long enough about their decisions and the consequences. There are good reasons why political scientists and philosophers alike have stressed the tripartite distribution of state power: it is an essential ingredient in ensuring sociopolitical stability. Any disequilibrium in the division of power has far-reaching effects, as has been witnessed in the past both at home and in some neighbouring countries.
Alas, with reason and rationality in retreat, reflections on actions and consequences no longer seem to matter. One can only hope for sense — and sensibility.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025
HISTORY shows that rulers use hate speech to provoke hate crimes and ‘othering’ among communities. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decade-long rule is riddled with divisive rhetoric; his BJP is bent on creating discord in Indian society, making daily life for the country’s minorities, particularly the Muslims, increasingly challenging. The US-based think tank, India Hate Lab, has released a new report exposing an alarming surge in hate speech — from 668 cases in 2023 to 1,165 in 2024; communal venom rose by 74.4pc with 98.5pc of the hate speeches directed at Muslims. Over two-thirds occurred in BJP-ruled states or in those run by its allies. As a vital aspect of Mr Modi’s Hindutva politics, communal flames burn brighter during election season. According to the IHL, last year’s election campaign witnessed BJP leaders deliver more than 450 hate speeches with 63 from Mr Modi himself. Indeed, it is high time India’s activists and opposition parties showed greater commitment to battling the evil for the sake of an inclusive and progressive society.
Unfortunately, the state-sponsored diet of hate seems to have gained ground among Indians as public and media outrage is rare. Few have understood that feeding hate deflects attention from the BJP’s failure to deliver the governmental and policy reforms that it promised for a rising India. And hate retains the Hindu-majority vote bank for the party. Allowing rampant hate speech by godmen and lawmakers enables ordinary people from the majority religion to employ violence — such as lynchings and bulldozing homes to degrade and subdue Muslims — to assert a sense of supremacy. The Hindutva rampage — from destroying mosques to economic boycotts of poor Muslims — aims to erase Muslim history. Maligning Muslims is a minor, albeit chilling, part of this agenda. The oil-rich Muslim brotherhood and the international community, which claims to uphold human rights, need to walk the talk.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025
Sunken dreams
ANOTHER tragedy has struck Pakistani migrants seeking a better future. A boat capsizing off the Libyan coast has left at least 16 Pakistanis dead, with others missing or in detention. This disaster, following closely on the heels of last month’s deaths of a large number of Pakistanis at the hands of human traffickers, underscores the relentless peril faced by those seeking escape from economic hardship and instability at home. Pakistanis have, for years, risked treacherous journeys across the Mediterranean, lured by promises of prosperity in Europe. Many come from KP — in this case the majority belonged to Kurram — where unemployment, insecurity, and lack of economic opportunities force them into the hands of ruthless traffickers. These criminal networks prey on desperation, promising safe passage but delivering only exploitation, extortion, and grisly death. The state’s response to this crisis has been reactionary at best.
Dispatching embassy officials after each tragedy is necessary, but it does little to prevent future calamities. Pakistan must work closely with transit countries such as Libya, Turkey, and the UAE to establish stronger intelligence-sharing and border monitoring to intercept trafficking operations even before boats set sail. Moreover, the authorities must crack down on local recruiters enticing young men with false promises. Too often, these criminals face little accountability, despite countless reports of their involvement in forging documents, arranging illegal transport, and extorting families. The FIA must pursue traffickers with the same vigour as they do other organised crime rings. For this, both resources and political backing is required. Beyond enforcement, the root causes of migration must be addressed. We need targeted interventions in regions like Kurram. When young people see no future at home, no amount of warning about dangers abroad will deter them. The government must focus not just on job creation, but also skills development programmes aligned with domestic and legal international job opportunities. In addition, we need better awareness campaigns. Many victims fall prey to traffickers’ false promises because they lack information about legitimate alternatives. Our embassies abroad should be better equipped to assist Pakistanis in distress and to facilitate legal migration channels. Human trafficking is a national crisis. The state must act now to punish those who profit from this trade and create conditions where no Pakistani feels compelled to risk their life at sea.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025
Ill omens
IT sometimes appears as if those struggling for an independent judiciary have needlessly burdened themselves with preserving the institution’s prestige. When the top judges of the country have few concerns about public perceptions, it seems futile to worry endlessly about institutional integrity. ‘Que sera, sera’, as they say.
Ever since the 26th Amendment, matters seem to have gone according to script without a hitch. Judges perceived as being ‘too independent’ or holding views opposed to the ruling regime’s policies appear to have been systematically sidelined and substituted by individuals seemingly more acceptable to the regime. There has been little transparency about why certain judges have been transferred from one high court to another or why certain judges have been elevated while others have not.
Meanwhile, a disturbing pattern has emerged, with capable judges being denied promotions apparently over their unwillingness to compromise on judicial autonomy and refusal to kowtow to the powers that be.
That all this has continued unchecked despite loud voices of protest being raised from within and without the institution is disappointing. One wonders whether the institutional leadership realises the long-term ramifications of the ongoing ‘remaking’ of the judiciary.
A perception has already built up that the courts are being packed with ‘like-minded’ judges so that the regime can secure legal endorsement for its widely criticised actions and policies.
Ideally, this perception should have been actively avoided; instead, several judges have participated in the decision-making process, which has provided critics with yet another indictment of the present state of the judiciary.
It seems particularly pertinent to point out that while the judges who have found favour with the ruling regime may be very capable, they are quite likely to find it difficult to gain the public’s trust and respect given the circumstances in which they have been handed their responsibilities. The nation does not remember the PCO judges kindly.
Where will this leave the nation? When the institution meant to dispense justice loses public trust in its integrity, to whom do the people turn? This is a worrying question that has been raised before but does not seem to have registered.
It is disquieting that very few of those in important positions seem to think long enough about their decisions and the consequences. There are good reasons why political scientists and philosophers alike have stressed the tripartite distribution of state power: it is an essential ingredient in ensuring sociopolitical stability. Any disequilibrium in the division of power has far-reaching effects, as has been witnessed in the past both at home and in some neighbouring countries.
Alas, with reason and rationality in retreat, reflections on actions and consequences no longer seem to matter. One can only hope for sense — and sensibility.
Published in Dawn, February 12th, 2025