Whenever I read that moderates condemn misuse of blasphemy law, I think about all those who aren’t human enough to feel anything.
Most blasphemy complaints arise out of personal enmities; the mere accusation by only one person leads to lengthy confinements in jail & never ending or very long legal battles in which the accused is mostly killed by some fanatic. Acquittals are rare. But one proof of its abuse is the fact that people convicted by lower courts under this law have all been acquitted by higher courts for lack of evidence once they go into appeals.
‘The recent sentencing of the Christian woman Aasia Bibi to death for blasphemy has further tarnished the image of our country before the international community exposing the intolerant nature of our society,’ said Syed Jawaid Iqbal. (Chairman, Moderates – a private sector think tank)
I think more than the image of the country, it’s the question of justice. It’s how a life can be ruined just because we have some people who are taking undue advantage of inhuman laws. Life of even one ordinary person is far more important than the image of a country. In any case, we are not in the good books. It doesn’t matter if they look down on us a little more than usual.
Lately Zardari has been warned by top Deobandi & Barelvi clerics not to grant pardon to this woman.
“I advise him (Zardari) not to take a hasty decision under foreign pressure,” Qari Hanif Jallundari, who represents the Deobandi school of thought. “Such a decision will lead to untoward repercussions,” he added.
Sahibzada Fazl Karim, a representative of Barelvi seminaries, said his organisation would stage demonstrations across the country if someone involved in a “crime like blasphemy is granted pardon”.
“It would be too much if the woman is set free. Death is the only punishment for a person who commits blasphemy,” Sahibzada Karim told reporters in Karachi.
“Our point of view is…clear. Misuse is insufficient a justification for abolishing any law. Many laws are misused, even the country’s constitution, which is the mother of them all. Does this mean we will have to abolish all of these laws?” Jallundari said.
These are the only rotten arguments we have ever heard from the clerics. How come misuse is insufficient justification? I don’t think 101 laws are being misused in this country. Moreover, one cannot dismiss human rights as Western concept. We have people rotting in jails for crimes they didn’t commit. What could be greater sin than this? These are men of faith who can’t feel any compassion for humanity.
I’m sure many are not even aware about article 260 of the constitution which clearly defines both Muslims & non-Muslims. Clause (3)(b) of the article 260 defines non-Muslims & there was actually no need for this clause in the 1st place. Are we begging anyone to blot that out? The thing is… every government recognizes the potential of abuse of blasphemy law & yet refuses to take any action. Blasphemy law & Hudood laws have more abuses than uses.
The Quranic values were far ahead of time & the very concept of justice in a democratic society is different from that in a medieval society. What was considered just then cannot be considered just now. This is the thing that ought to be kept in mind. And this is exactly the main point of contention between those who resist any change & those who advocate change.
This is the story of Aasia Bibi - This case began in June 2009 when she was asked to fetch water while out working in the fields. Women labourers objected, saying that as a non-Muslim, she should not touch the water bowl. Aasia Bibi was later arrested by police and prosecuted after women complained that she made derogatory remarks about the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
“According to my own investigation, it was a personal dispute and she did not commit blasphemy; she is innocent and her case is baseless,” stated Shahbaz Bhatti.
It’s pretty obvious cases framed under this law are mostly rooted in personal disputes & grudges.
