National Character! Morality and Politics Of Tragedies

By Asghar Mayo

Whenever there is crisis in Pakistan, we listen about such stories which are not less than nightmares. These are stories of human greed, wickedness, brutality and cold-bloodedness. What happened in aftermath of 5 October 2005 earthquake, people mutilated dead bodies to take away belonging like gold in neck and wrist of deceased women. People searched Margilla hills to find gold from the crash site of Airblue flight.

In flood affected areas where we have seen laudable charity campaigns and donations, there are also stories that flood areas were raided by armed men and everything was taken away from abandoned homes. Not only this but also people were marauded when they were moving away from their homes to save their lives. Children were kidnapped and women were mistreated. The incidents were not isolated and solitary but frequent and took place everywhere all over affected areas.

One tragedy was thrusted upon by nature and second tragedy was perpetrated by fellow humans. Natural calamities are tolerated and wounds heal with the passage of time but such human crimes remains alive in memories of victims as if they are ever fresh in nature.

Allegation that embankment were managed to inundate fields of poor people and feudal lords saved there lands at the cost of peasants. Many politicians are allegedly involved in this sort of “Disaster management.”

This state of affairs speaks volumes of our national character and morality. We claim to be civilized but whether we really deserve this claim? Sailkot like incidents take place in this country in the presence of police force.I am afraid we lack a national character and fundamental moral principles to help our fellow human beings. Despite all these evils we want soft image and mercy of God. Is it possible?

asgharalikhan@hotmail.com