This is an essay associated with my ongoing research on Impact of a civilization over an individual human life
When the whole of Pakistan is mulling over the 'blasphemy' law, indicating that disrespect of religion, which 'does not even exist' is a higher crime than taking away the life of a human being in a semi barbaric way. India is planning to come out with its own version of a law against blasphemy, and it is the 'ruling' congress party which is trying to create a religion of its own, with the prophet as 'Gandhi'.
Of all the laws that exist in India today, not many have seen the daylight of expert implementation, so much so, that from morning till evening I break a thousand small laws, like going on the bike without a helmet, breaking signals when I see no policeman around, overtaking from the left, parking the bike on the road, using pirated softwares, opening websites that are not suitable etc.; but am rarely fined(with money?) or sent to jail. But because of these crimes, all I have inside me is that vague sense of fear that something might just be tracking me down and would punish me once it sees me doing more than I am supposed to. The guilt is foremost, and the most obvious implication.
Every time our well meaning parliament with 'Iqbal' quoting leader comes out with a law, this fear in me increases, and this time it has increased manifolds, because teenager jokes range from Krishna to Gandhi and may not always be decent or sane. So indeed a teenager who forwards a message to a friend, which has any indication of the presence of the ‘Gandhi’ term may be sent across to a jail, or can be fined, though he may not be aware of a glimpse of this notorious law that might just be tool to avenge personal issues.
There could be comments over what is the likehood of a such a situation? Who sends a teenager to Jail? Have you been sent to Jail? Well, then what is the use of such draconian inanity from the highest governing authority in India? Does it only target books and curtail freedom of speech? Does it only curtail the political opponents of the Great Indian National Congress? Does it define a measure in which the whole of Pakistan would one day be in Indian Jails? Is hating Gandhi wrong? Is it a national duty to just love Gandhi and love him for whatever he stood by? Do I not love my country if I do not like what Gandhi preached and did? If these questions could be answered, there is a strong chance that people like me could be satiated, but then "On Religion", I keep on wondering if this is another religion with a set of rituals in the making?
A religion, which centuries on would be as impervious as the religions of today, and what would make them dangerous are the cults and legends associated, perhaps 'Fasting' would a law in India sometimes in the late 24th century. People who do not fast, might be in Jail the very next day, or if you eat something on the day of fast because you are unable to resist the natural instinct of hunger and someone sees you, he might avenge your misdeed by taking your photograph with his digital mobile camera and get you convicted with the help of the state. A situation that we all, in our highest consciousness oppose in the state of Pakistan.
Every time our well meaning parliament with 'Iqbal' quoting leader comes out with a law, this fear in me increases, and this time it has increased manifolds, because teenager jokes range from Krishna to Gandhi and may not always be decent or sane. So indeed a teenager who forwards a message to a friend, which has any indication of the presence of the ‘Gandhi’ term may be sent across to a jail, or can be fined, though he may not be aware of a glimpse of this notorious law that might just be tool to avenge personal issues.
There could be comments over what is the likehood of a such a situation? Who sends a teenager to Jail? Have you been sent to Jail? Well, then what is the use of such draconian inanity from the highest governing authority in India? Does it only target books and curtail freedom of speech? Does it only curtail the political opponents of the Great Indian National Congress? Does it define a measure in which the whole of Pakistan would one day be in Indian Jails? Is hating Gandhi wrong? Is it a national duty to just love Gandhi and love him for whatever he stood by? Do I not love my country if I do not like what Gandhi preached and did? If these questions could be answered, there is a strong chance that people like me could be satiated, but then "On Religion", I keep on wondering if this is another religion with a set of rituals in the making?
A religion, which centuries on would be as impervious as the religions of today, and what would make them dangerous are the cults and legends associated, perhaps 'Fasting' would a law in India sometimes in the late 24th century. People who do not fast, might be in Jail the very next day, or if you eat something on the day of fast because you are unable to resist the natural instinct of hunger and someone sees you, he might avenge your misdeed by taking your photograph with his digital mobile camera and get you convicted with the help of the state. A situation that we all, in our highest consciousness oppose in the state of Pakistan.
It would be better if the parliament takes a break for some days, ask its execution mechanism what is the state and feedback of the laws that it has been churning out for decades, have they been misused in the meantime? Have they at first place been even implemented, it would help us take a step forward, and to an extent avoid misplacing and disrespecting Gandhi in the Indian context, or in the world preview.
http://www.indianexpress.com/ news/govt-to-make-insulting- gandhi-a-crime/769604/
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