Militancy and extremism
IT is a basic principle of political science and sociology that a State alone must have exclusive right to use, or authorize the legitimate use of physical force within a given territory. German sociologist Max Weber stated in 1918 that the modern state emerged by expropriating the means of political organization and domination, including use of force and violence by establishing the legitimacy of its laws. A state can disintegrate, or collapse from within, if it allows militancy and extremism to flourish and nurture unchecked. The deadly combination of these two is like a poison and cancer.
The Father of Nation MAJ gave a blueprint on 11 August 1947 for formulating a constitution on which foundation of a modern democratic welfare state was to be laid. We must understand that TWO NATION theory was originally the idea of a Hindu nationalist Lala Lajpat Rai as far back as 1924 that Hindus and Muslims are two separate nations and cannot live together. Quaid whilst addressing Lahore Session of AIML on 22 March 1940 elaborated upon the letter written by Lala Lajpat to a Bengali Hindu nationalist in 1924.
It was the basis for political struggle waged by AIML under leadership of Quaid, based on Allama Iqbal’s vision elaborated in 1930 at Allahabad that the Muslims are a distinct nation and “it is essential that Muslims have a separate homeland”. He proposed even the geographical constituents. The Two Nation theory was the basis of political struggle for creation of Pakistan, whilst Jinnah’s vision elaborated on 11 August, was the blueprint for functioning of Pakistan. Unfortunately, Jinnah’s vision was derailed by ambitious pursuits of few individuals. The First Constituent Assembly MAJ created was composed of those elected from their constituencies in 1945-46 general elections. It was dissolved and the game of thrones started which has continued thereafter with disastrous consequences for Jinnah’s Pakistan and the citizens of this country.
What happened on 9 May 2023 is the culmination of cancerous divisions that Zia had created, who exploited religion to the hilt to appease a super power and gain legitimacy for his illegal rule. The manner in which supremacy of the Constitution has been trampled upon and deep divisions created by exploiting religion to fight a proxy war in Afghanistan has left behind deep wounds. Religion and faith must be practiced for the good of society and how to interact peacefully with Almighty’s creation. Similarly, democracy is a system of governance to be practiced so that rule of law prevails, instead of whims of few.
It is not just extremism that has to wiped but the militancy in politics which must be eliminated with an iron hand. What happened on 12 May 2007 in Karachi and the violence that continued in Islamabad red zone for 126 days from 14 August to 17 December 2014, only to be called off, after the TTP attack on APS Peshawar, followed by 20 days dharna by TLP at Faizabad could not have taken place without facilitation of powerful quarters. What happened on 9 May is enough warning, if any is required, that all those involved, directly or indirectly, must be given exemplary punishments to serve as deterrence.
—The writer is contributing columnist, based in Lahore
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