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In a letter to his mother soon after he was incarcerated by fascists in the 1920s, Antonio Gramsci, reflecting on the political and cultural age of his time, described it as the age of "iron and fire". This was not the moment for sentimentality and softness, he told her.
Gramsci was perhaps referring to the imminent threat of a fascist takeover of Europe. While he wrote it in an entirely different context, the phrase captures, to a certain extent, the essence of what we are witnessing right now in the Land of the Pure.
Number of activists and bloggers critical of the prevailing socio-political and religious discourse, and state policies, including the poet and academic Salman Haider, have been ‘mysteriously’ missing for the past few days.
Authorities have said nothing definitive about their whereabouts so far, but the pattern of the disappearances points to an existing trend.
The story of missing persons in the peripheries, and Balochistan in particular, has been known for a long time. Sometimes, these disappearances are justified by terming them ‘RAW-funded’ ethno-nationalists who are out to dismantle Pakistan.
But this appellation isn't just reserved for Baloch nationalists and other political groups; the plague has spread to the internet where regular citizens critical of the prevailing order are being targeted in urban areas.
From Faiz Ahmed Faiz to Habib Jalib, clamping down on dissenting poets has been a Pakistani tradition. The practice has now been extended to the internet, which could mark the beginning of a new chapter in this shameful tale.
We should not take this lightly. This kind of aversion to critical thought, ideas, and speech is characteristic of totalitarianism. Though Pakistan is not a totalitarian state, targeting intellectuals is a disturbing trend and has dire consequences for society. The country has already been suffering from its effects for a long time.
Salman Haider and other missing comrades represent the polar opposite of what power, ideological apparatuses and forces of obscurantism symbolise. If Pakistan is to have a better future, we need more activists, story-tellers and poets like them.
Our response must not be one of indifference. Putting aside feelings of softness and sentimentality, this is not the time to mourn, but to act, to organise and demand for the immediate release of the bloggers, as well as an end to such targeting of intellectuals.
Those who have come out on the streets in protest have been brave. Those who are writing blogs and opinion columns are courageous.
We need to maintain the pressure, and hopefully the voices raised would be enough to secure a safe and quick return of the abducted.
Are you an activist? Do you have something to say about the disappearance of Salman Haider? Share it with us at blog@dawn.com
Shahab Saqib is an activist and has an interest in social theory, history and literature.
The views expressed by this writer and commenters below do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
Comments (22) Closed
A sane voice finally. I really thought I was drowning in the sea of fascism
A country and its system complement each other, are indistinguishable from each other and sustain each other.
Our rulers believe that if the system goes away, the country, too, would be no more.
At least, the country would be of no use to our rulers if their system was no more in place.
This predicament validates the fear of our rulers that the attempts to change the system may dismantle the country--their country.
Through their campaign of intimidation, the rulers are nursing their own fears.
Fear is the foundation of our system.
A country and its system complement each other, are indistinguishable from each other and sustain each other.
Our rulers fear that if the system goes away, the country, too, would be no more.
At least, the country would be of no use to our rulers if their system was no more in place.
This predicament reinforces the fear of our rulers that the attempts to change the system may dismantle the country--their country.
Through their campaign of intimidation, the rulers are nursing their own fears imagining they were preserving their system.
Now this is shameful. Reminds me of the Zia days. What a farce!
These insane activists have to be brought to the court and after proper hearing well punished.
Everyone here is silent because of they are in peace, but we may also victim of this. Really appreciate your efforts Shahab Saqib. We are all with you.
A whole lot of assumptions
maligning state institutions and religion just for the sake of it? not allowed
please take a look at the posts that these pages were sharing. Kindly do not confuse activism with ridicule.
Remember but we may also victim, stand against jungle Raj.
Hope the Authorities that matter take the sane step immediately by releasing Dr Salman Haider and all those abducted recently otherwise we already have a very dark appearance in the world arena and this one adds further to get it.Stopping dissent like this act of kidnapping as never worked and never will.Govt should spare no time and arrange their release immediately lest the kidnapping for ransom industry gets further boost adding to the misery and lawlessness faced by the citizenry of this country on a daily basis!
Good article
such questions make those guilty feel more insecure and can result in many more disappearences.
But we vote for these crooks...until we hold them accountable at the polls, nothing will change.
@Abdul mateen insane activits indeed...for speaking their minds!
@Sane not allowed by who? You? Who made you incharge! If there is no freedom, then there should be no institutions or country!
Please also mention the contents of Bhainsa and mochi and other pages in your article.
@ashar It is not about the contents. One doesn't have to agree with contents. It is about who has wielded authority on those who have abducted these people, and under what law. It is simply not legal to ''abduct'' people, make them disappear with impunity. There are some legal procedures that ought to be followed.
@friendo
There are some moral limit to everything too.
We should not put up with missing people, regardless of what their views.
@ashar : morality is responsibility of the individual and not the state
Well written and courageous. Cracking down on opposing voices and opinions is not just intolerance, it is fascism. Pakistan's deep state strikes again and little realizes that it is only cutting off it's own nose in order to spite it's face. Totally self destructive.