Shrinking liberalism: When truth becomes Truth

[Solomon2]

DAWN.com

Shrinking liberalism: When truth becomes Truth
By Ebad Ahmed
Updated 2 days ago

Liberal ideas are largely considered deviant by our society as far-right extremism gains ground. -Illustration by Khuda Bux Abro

Since its inception, Pakistan has remained a conservative country, where religion played a mammoth role in shaping politics, redefining policies and most important of all, enforcing particular narratives in society.

Nonetheless, despite conservatism dominating intellectual discourse, there has existed a significant liberal minority which exercised its right to speak and write openly and put across its points of view.

However, this tiny space for liberals in Pakistan has been shrinking more and more of late; reflecting an alarming trend toward far-right politics of a jealous nature which shuns any opportunity to question itself.

Also read: ‘Liberalism never allowed to grow in Pakistan’

It makes you think, why are liberalism and Pakistan in a state of chronic conflict? And more importantly, why are liberal ideas considered deviant by society at large?

The bone of contention lies within those who have wielded power in the country which directly or indirectly, has been maneuvered by forces within the state apparatus using a narrative of securing itself against outside aggression when in fact they harboured dangerous ambitions and tinkered with national institutions to fulfill those ambitions. Apart from the times of Ayub and Musharraf, the ideal citizen for the state was an India-hating religious conservative and was more security-obsessed than development-oriented.

All this is contrary to liberal values.

Education was used as a tool to achieve the targets. For decades, the nation's educational institutions have been promoting a hyper-religio-nationalist mindset based on insecurity against the neighbour India and with a huge inclination towards utopian Pan-Islamism.

Explore: What is the most blatant lie taught through Pakistan textbooks?

Thus, when a fourth grader's social sciences textbook introduces him to sub-continental history through "India's evil designs against Pakistan" and establishes as unwavering truth that certain state institutions are always right no matter what the Constitution advocates, it shouldn't surprise one to see the same student later react with fuming outrage against the idea of normalising ties with the neighbouring country. It would not just be abnormal for him, it would be a heresy. The call for revisiting Pakistan's security-centrism would be treacherous and advocating secular values an attack on the Islamic Republic.

When critical thinking is not appreciated, diversity is not recognised and a specific narrative is enforced generation after generation with additional support from the mass media, it is only natural that nations would end up precisely where we are today.

Take a look: How Pakistanis see their country today

Liberal ideas become a synonym for heresy, and truth becomes Truth – just one single interpretation of events, the discretion over which lies only with the state – be it Nazriya-i-Pakistan, the controversial 8th Amendment, the 2nd Amendment or the military's influence within the state, that “Truth” cannot be challenged.

Pakistanis must tell themselves that though conservatism is acceptable, far-right extremism is not.

The opposition of liberalism is more structural than anything else. The state wanted it, and soon they got it by exploiting conservatism and taking it to a whole new level.

And has Pakistan, as a result, been better off in the long run?

The fact that the state is still fighting extremists suggests not.

Related articles:

• A liberal Pakistan?
• The Ideology of Pakistan: A thorny issue
• Could Pakistan’s social media become a bastion of extremism?

The author is a graduate of Politics and International Relations from Royal Holloway University of London.

He tweets @ebadahmed

T

 

[Hiptullha]

Since its inception, Pakistan has remained a conservative country, where religion played a mammoth role in shaping politics, redefining policies and most important of all, enforcing particular narratives in society.

We had enough of the lefties when they came in the '90s and the '70s. Problem with Leftism is the proponents are weak psuedo-intellectuals who are easily controlled and corrupted. They are deluded idealists who end up implementing silly policies which backfire.

Apart from the times of Ayub and Musharraf, the ideal citizen for the state was an India-hating religious conservative and was more security-obsessed than development-oriented.

This so-called liberal supports Musharraf and Ayub who were both involved in wars against India. Both were also involved in political repression. I'm calling BS on this guy.

Education was used as a tool to achieve the targets. For decades, the nation's educational institutions have been promoting a hyper-religio-nationalist mindset based on insecurity against the neighbour India and with a huge inclination towards utopian Pan-Islamism

This guy seems like someone who doesn't know what he's talking about. The problem with liberals is that they exaggerate everything out of proportion. As a student, I can say that this guy is talking out of his rear.

Liberal ideas become a synonym for heresy, and truth becomes Truth – just one single interpretation of events, the discretion over which lies only with the state – be it Nazriya-i-Pakistan, the controversial 8th Amendment, the 2nd Amendment or the military's influence within the state, that “Truth” cannot be challenged.

Oh, the victim complex.

 

[Solomon2]

We had enough of the lefties when they came in the '90s and the '70s. Problem with Leftism is the proponents are weak psuedo-intellectuals who are easily controlled and corrupted. They are deluded idealists who end up implementing silly policies which backfire.

That's the generous view. The not-so-generous view is that these people are corrupt to start with and justify their corrupt behavior by pointing to the "good" they do - which all-too-often is pretense rather than real.

This so-called liberal supports Musharraf and Ayub who were both involved in wars against India. Both were also involved in political repression. I'm calling BS on this guy.

I wondered about that too. Perhaps he meant relative to Pakistan's other leaders? B. Bhutto herself wasn't that oppressive but left Zia's oppressive mechanisms mostly intact - she lacked the political power to do so even if she wanted to.

Oh, the victim complex.

Do you understand this response is itself a symptom of the complex the author describes?

 

[Desertfalcon]

We had enough of the lefties when they came in the '90s and the '70s. Problem with Leftism is the proponents are weak psuedo-intellectuals who are easily controlled and corrupted. They are deluded idealists who end up implementing silly policies which backfire.

That sounds just like the 'lefties' in my country.

 

[Pakistani E]

We had enough of the lefties when they came in the '90s and the '70s. Problem with Leftism is the proponents are weak psuedo-intellectuals who are easily controlled and corrupted. They are deluded idealists who end up implementing silly policies which backfire.




This so-called liberal supports Musharraf and Ayub who were both involved in wars against India. Both were also involved in political repression. I'm calling BS on this guy.



This guy seems like someone who doesn't know what he's talking about. The problem with liberals is that they exaggerate everything out of proportion. As a student, I can say that this guy is talking out of his rear.



Oh, the victim complex.

You obviously don't know what it was like to be a "liberal" during Zia's time, probably because you are one of our Post Zia's generation, smug self righteousness and total ignorance of Pakistan before Zia mardoods legacy.

 

[Hiptullha]

You obviously don't know what it was like to be a "liberal" during Zia's time, probably because you are one of our Post Zia's generation, smug self righteousness and total ignorance of Pakistan before Zia mardoods legacy.

Enlighten me.
I enjoy hearing the sob-stories of bleeding heart liberals.

The not-so-generous view is that these people are corrupt to start with and justify their corrupt behavior by pointing to the "good" they do - which all-too-often is pretense rather than real.

Most Leftist movements started off with ideologues and intellectuals who genuinely wanted to change things for the better. Usually, there weren't strong and outmaneuvered by power-hungry fake leftists, just like in Communist Russia.

Do you understand this response is itself a symptom of the complex the author describes?

Whatever happened to them was their own doing. It's like punching a man and expecting him not to react.

 

[Pakistani E]

Enlighten me.
I enjoy hearing the sob-stories of bleeding heart liberals.



Most Leftist movements started off with ideologues and intellectuals who genuinely wanted to change things for the better. Usually, there weren't strong and outmaneuvered by power-hungry fake leftists, just like in Communist Russia.



Whatever happened to them was their own doing. It's like punching a man and expecting him not to react.

No one should be persecuted for their political or religious beliefs. Just because someone disagrees with you that doesn't give you the right to torture them or declare them kafir. Several "liberal" and leftists disappeared during ZIa's time, hundreds were tortured, only because they disagreed with a deranged lunatic who got us in to the business of sectarian peddling. Would you prefer if I were to hang you by your toes just because you disagree with me?

But who am I talking to here, probably an upper middle class defence resident who's lived all his life in a pampered bubble of self importance. Have a nice day.

 

[Developereo]

The dialog in Pakistan has been polarized by extremists on either side. Pakistani (self-proclaimed) liberals are "liberal" in name only, since they do little more than parrot anything anti-Pakistan or anti-Islam that comes out of foreign media.

For example,

Right-wing extremist: Any man without a beard is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any man with a beard is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: Don't judge people by superficial characteristics.

Right-wing extremist: Any woman who doesn't cover herself is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any woman who wears a hijab is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: Don't judge people by superficial characteristics.

Right-wing extremist: Any Pakistani who speaks English is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any Pakistani who speaks Arabic is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: It's a freaking language choice!

Right-wing extremist: Legit to kill any civilian who is an infidel.
Pakistani liberals: Legit to kill any civilian who lives in certain tribal areas..
Real liberalism: Use extreme caution when civilians are at risk.

Right-wing extremist: Everything is America's fault..
Pakistani liberals: Everything is Pakistan's fault.
Real liberalism: There is culpability on all sides.

 

[Pakistani E]

The dialog in Pakistan has been polarized by extremists on either side. Pakistani (self-proclaimed) liberals are "liberal" in name only, since they do little more than parrot anything anti-Pakistan or anti-Islam that comes out of foreign media.

For example,

Right-wing extremist: Any man without a beard is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any man with a beard is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: Don't judge people by superficial characteristics.

Right-wing extremist: Any woman who doesn't cover herself is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any woman who wears a hijab is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: Don't judge people by superficial characteristics.

Right-wing extremist: Any Pakistani who speaks English is evil.
Pakistani liberals: Any Pakistani who speaks Arabic is a fundamentalist.
Real liberalism: It's a freaking language choice!

Right-wing extremist: Legit to kill any civilian who is an infidel.
Pakistani liberals: Legit to kill any civilian who lives in certain tribal areas..
Real liberalism: Use extreme caution when civilians are at risk.

Right-wing extremist: Everything is America's fault..
Pakistani liberals: Everything is Pakistan's fault.
Real liberalism: There is culpability on all sides.

BS. When a liberal straps a bomb to himself and blows up right wingers then and only then will I take your analogy seriously.

 

[Hiptullha]

Several "liberal" and leftists disappeared during ZIa's time, hundreds were tortured, only because they disagreed with a deranged lunatic who got us in to the business of sectarian peddling. Would you prefer if I were to hang you by your toes just because you disagree with me?

Implying liberals and leftists didn't disappear in the Bhutto, the Ayub, the Musharraf, and almost every other era. Of course, liberals need a boogeyman to point at and cry, so they picked Zia.

 

[Developereo]

BS. When a liberal straps a bomb to himself and blows up right wingers then and only then will I take your analogy seriously.

But Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" do cheer and are apologists when drones kill innocent civilians.

If Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" were intellectually honesty, instead of being sycophantic parrots for Western propaganda, they would point out that Pakistani civilians deserve just as much sympathy and consideration as is shown to Western civilians in non-war zones.

 

[Hiptullha]

But Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" do cheer and are apologists when drones kill innocent civilians.

If Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" were intellectually honesty, instead of being sycophantic parrots for Western propaganda, they would point out that Pakistani civilians deserve just as much sympathy and consideration as is shown to Western civilians in non-war zones.

Ignore his B.S. Leftists were involved in genoides, massares, and organized killings whih led to millions of deaths in the 1900s.

 

[niaz]

I agree with Hon Developereo that in our country every thing is taken as black & white where truth is nothing like it. It is mostly shades of grey (I am not referring to the book 50 shades of grey – perish the thought).

I don’t consider everyone sporting a beard an extremist. Imran Khan does not support a beard but his undying love for Taliban makes him a borderline extremist in my book. I remember my grandfather with a beard. My father also started sporting a beard after he returned from Umra. No one among my brothers or uncles are bearded, despite some being Hajis. Similarly both of sisters now wear Hijab but my wife and my sisters- in -law don’t.

I have also had the good fortune of performing Umra and the honour of visiting Medina. While on a visit to Iraq a few years back, I paid my respects at Abu Hanifa and Abdul Qadir Jilani mosques as well as at Karbala & Najaf. As an Oil man I have also visited Indian twice and had the pleasure of touring Delhi, Agra, Bombay/Mumbai & Ajmer Sharif.

My point is that being Zia hater (I am one) does not make me a ‘Lefty’ or an agent of the Raw, Mossad or CIA. I hate Zia because I remember Pakistan before Zia and after it. Ask anyone who was alive during 1947-1976 and he will vouch that the hell-bound Zia and his supporters have transformed a heavenly Pakistan in to a hell hole.

I consider myself liberal because I don’t believe in forcing my views down people’s throat. I am against sectarian killing, against bombing of girls schools, against bombing of Sufi Shrines and consider that ‘Suicide’ is haram in Islam. I am also against twisting historical facts such as why East Pakistan became Bangla Desh. I believe one must be allowed to read and hear alternate view point and accept the fact that other people would have differing opinions and different faith, but this does not make them a bad person nor should the differing voices be silenced thru brute force.

In my professional career as a Chemical Engineer I have had many Christians, Jews, Hindus, Sikh & Buddhist colleagues and some also became friends. Even after retirement, in addition to my old English class mates, I am in regular contact with an Egyptian Coptic Christian, a Singaporean Chinese Buddhist and a Hindu Chemical Engineer at the Reliance Industries in India. My neighbour in London is a Sikh. I simply do not judge any one based upon his faith, ethnicity or colour of his skin.

If such views makes me a despicable a ‘Lefty’ in eyes of Honourable Hiptullah and others of similar view point, so be it; I wouldn’t lose any sleep over it.

Our Quaid was a liberal too, all the far right and most of the religious leaders including Maulana Maudoodi & Mualans Hassan Madani were against the creation of Pakistan.

 

[Pakistani E]

But Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" do cheer and are apologists when drones kill innocent civilians.

If Pakistani self-proclaimed "liberals" were intellectually honesty, instead of being sycophantic parrots for Western propaganda, they would point out that Pakistani civilians deserve just as much sympathy and consideration as is shown to Western civilians in non-war zones.

Which liberals are these? I have yet to see such public actions of liberals jumping for joy every time a drone hits. The fact of the matter is, it is not the liberals who have killed over 40,000 Pakistanis. It is right wing extremists and their conservative allies. Stop blaming liberals for the crimes of right wing religious fascists.

Ignore his B.S. Leftists were involved in genoides, massares, and organized killings whih led to millions of deaths in the 1900s.

I consider myself liberal of sorts, now tell me genius, which liberal in the history of Mankind committed genocides and massacres. And don't post crimes of communists or socialists, they might be "leftist" but they are no way close to the liberal ideology. I'm waiting for a list of such liberals...

 

[Hiptullha]

And don't post crimes of communists or socialists, they might be "leftist" but they are no way close to the liberal ideology. I'm waiting for a list of such liberals...

But they claim to be liberals, don't they? It's like when we see Islamic fundamentalists. They claim to be Muslims and doing things in the name of God and Islam, but they commit crimes totally un-Islamic.