The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing. — Albert Einstein.

Intellectuals have played an important role in changing the mindset of a society; even more so in a situation where it has come under the grip of religious fundamentalism and sectarian conflict. It then becomes their responsibility to raise a voice against injustice, exploitation and discrimination against the suppressed, helpless and marginalised sections of people.

In Europe, intellectuals played a positive role when violation of human rights and religious intolerance prevailed in the society and came forward to support those who became victims of religious or racial hatred.

The French intellectual Voltaire (d.1778) paved the way for other intellectuals to stand against the injustice of state institutions and public opinion. Jean Calas had been charged with the murder of his son who, in all probability, had committed suicide which Calas could not disclose as suicide was a crime under French law. Being a Huguenot or protestant while France was Roman Catholic in majority, Calas’s trial was subjected to religious discrimination. Despite his pleas of innocence, Calas was tortured to death in 1762. Upon hearing about the trial and ordeal of Jean Calas, Voltaire was shocked and decided to begin a campaign to get his sentence overturned.

He believed that it was a case of sectarian prejudice and that Jean Calas had been victimised. Although it was difficult to change the public opinion for the Huguenots who continued to be discriminated against as a minority, Voltaire, however, continued to propagate against the court’s judgment. He wrote letters to his intellectual friends demanding them to support him in the campaign to restore the honour and dignity of the family Calas.

As a result of Voltaire’s efforts, a fresh investigation was ordered by the judiciary which found Jean Calas innocent. In 1765, Jean Calas was posthumously absolved on all charges and his confiscated property was restored to the family; however his death could not be compensated.

In 1777, when Voltaire returned to Paris after his exile, he was welcomed by the people of the city as a hero who had championed the cause of the persecuted. When his carriage passed the thoroughfare, the public stood on both sides of the road and applauded his arrival, chanting slogans in the name of Jean Calas.

During the French revolution, when the revolutionary government decided to bring the dead body of Voltaire from the cemetery to be buried in the Pantheon which was built especially for the French heroes; Voltaire’s coffin was warmly greeted by the people of Paris. A group of people representing the family of Jean Calas, accompanied the coffin to its destination. Because of Voltaire, Calas’s story became a part of French history and people realised how religious bigotry could mislead people and the state against the innocent.

In view of the above, sectarianism in Pakistani society and the role of intellectuals can be analysed. Sadly, when incidents of religious discrimination and sectarian hostility occur, there is no voice like that of Voltaire to resist the injustice and violation of fundamental rights of the marginalised people.

As a result of this silence, extremist groups are becoming bolder and remain unchallenged. If the intellectuals would take up the responsibility for the struggle against religious and sectarian discrimination, the public opinion would be in favour of tolerance and accommodation of all faiths in society.