While commentary on minority rights in Pakistan has a large presence on social media, it is slowly creeping into everyday dialogue too
And even though the focus on this issue is not as profound as it should be, every step forward is a step in the right direction
It is, however, unfortunate that what pushed the Christian community into making its voice heard via the electoral system is a long list of brutal attacks it has faced throughout the country
Expressing dissent via the ballot is, and always should be, the most ideal way to show disapproval for an existing state of affairs
It is what separates a civilised society from a barbaric one
Even though electoral victory is the ideal outcome in most cases, a significant show of strength that may not result in victory can make an equally strong if not stronger statement
And the statement from the Christian community is loud and clear – enough is enough
Things reached a boiling point recently during the church bombings in Lahore
The attack was incomprehensible and the reaction, perhaps understandable on an emotional level, but uncalled for on a logical level
The precedent set by the event does not paint a pretty picture
There is every possibility of an attack on the country’s minority communities being met by a violent backlash in the future, and who can blame them? After decades of political, economic and social discrimination, they have to vent out their frustration in some shape or form
One only hopes that the frustration is vented out via the electoral process and not on the streets via mob justice
While what exactly this holds for Dir will only be known once the election results are in, one can safely assume that it will be more positive than negative
The voice for minorities will be raised, and rights and privileges dished out to the majority will be fought for the minorities too
One can also conclude what message this gives out to the government
Members of the Christian community filling nominations papers is a clear message to the state that it has not been able to protect the minorities in Pakistan, and becoming part of the electoral process themselves is where the solution lies
Hopefully this pushes other members of the minority communities into becoming active participants of our electoral system too, and the constitutional hurdles placed towards their political, social and economic development are discarded as well
To quote Mahatama Gandhi, “Even if you are a minority of one, the truth is the truth
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| Date: | 23-Apr-2015 | Reference: | View Original Link |
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