Politics, Religion and Social media

The recent election in Pakistan is over but the bitterness it created in its wake has refused to die down, leaving behind a highly charged and polarized society. Ideally public should now calm down and let the new incumbents take over and plan to execute their manifesto, promised during a prolonged hectic campaign. However, politics is still so mired in controversies that the blame game with an aim to pull the rug is on.

Unfortunately, this polarization has affected even mature educated people, who are seen becoming emotional on social media for their favorite leaders; leading to bitterness and use of filthy language unbecoming of their status and dignity. Often this leads to heated debates, using derogatory comments against opposite political parties and their leaders.

Politics is part of our life and as an educated class we must discuss and share ideas and issues of national interest but this should be done with logic and arguments without throwing acerbic remarks which at times hurt our own friends and relatives with different political affiliations.

At times politics can be a ruthless power game with no consideration for morality. This is happening right now when we see some parties trying to use religious card to stokes religious/ sectarian hatred for political point scoring.

Like in the past, recent election results also indicate that nation has rejected religious parties including those who are known for their involvement in religious and sectarian killing. In an attempt of mainstreaming of banned outfits, state removed the legal barriers and allowed some of them to participate in the election.

From outcome of election, It seems our public is more sensible than our state.

However now in a scramble to win the power, parties are feeling no qualm to appease extremist outfits while blaming opponents of having soft corners for non-Muslims. Thus, they are trying to be more pious and devoted for the cause of Islam.

Each one is blaming others as being sympathetic to non-Muslims. They have no idea that this amounts to playing with a fire which has the potential to engulf the whole nation. If situation spirals out of control we might fall back into the deep abyss of extremism and bigotry from which we have been striving hard to come out for more than a decade.

Unfortunately, It seems this narrative is selling, as public is seen to be swept up in religious frenzy and political differences are metamorphosing to slippery fields of extremist viewpoint. A spillover of political tactics to rekindle religious hatred is being observed on social media where many people have jumped in to post 'hate-material' against non-Muslims.

Social media might become a battle ground for crusades with the risk of pent up frustrations being let loose, war cries raised to win divine blessings by attacking on hapless innocent people.