28/09/2024
THE struggle to eliminate extremism from society and create a more tolerant nation cannot succeed without the state’s firm commitment to achieving this goal. But when representatives of the state themselves are found to be involved in extremist acts, the road to deradicalisation is that much longer.
While acts of sacrilege obviously cannot be condoned, there exist laws to address this serious issue. But when ordinary citizens or state functionaries take the law into their own hands, the gates to mob rule and anarchy are flung wide open. The sindh incident is a grim reminder of Punjab governor Salmaan Taseer’s murder in 2011 by his own police guard.
The state, as well as the ulema, must reiterate the fact that no one can be allowed to play executioner in blasphemy cases, and that the law must take its course. In far too many of such incidents, the law is misused to settle personal scores. Therefore, strict action is required against those who exploit the sensitive issue of blasphemy.