Pity the Nation

 

Inspired by Khalil Gibran & more recently by Justice Asif Saeed  Khosa ,

I, too have ventured to speculate on what are the traits of a nation that  could invite universal pity.

Pity the Nation that is at war with itself

But is happy to blame the world for all its sins

Pity the Nation that refuses to learn from history

But continues to distort historical facts

Pity the nation that relishes in living on myths

But tries unrelentingly to spurn reality

Pity the Nation where citizens express anger at international atrocities

But is oblivious to cruelties inflicted daily by its own sons & daughters on its own sons & daughters

Pity the Nation where a nuclear technology salesman is a hero

But is reluctant to honour its most distinguished nuclear scientist

Pity the Nation where the judiciary functions as a moral brigade & law-enforcement agencies dispense ‘quick justice’

Pity the Nation where usurpers are deemed to represent the will of the people and thus not subject to legal restraints

But elected representatives are compelled to surrender to the majesty & the ‘rule of law’

Pity the Nation where the incarceration of a ‘brave’ daughter in a foreign land invites intense anger

But where countless hapless daughters rot in local prisons seeking justice

Pity the Nation where law officers garland a confessed murderer

But where victims’ families wait endlessly for justice

Pity the Nation where defence forces assume the responsibility to guard ideological frontiers

But outsource territorial defence to armed zealots

Pity the Nation where hate-mongers are treated as patriots but peace activists as foreign agents

Pity the Nation that laments its decrepit school system

But where state created monsters are committed to destroy existing schools

Pity the Nation that perpetually carries a begging bowl in its hands

But expects its benefactors to treat it with respect

Pity the Nation that boasts of its nuclear arsenal but does little to protect the life & liberty of its own people

Pity the Nation where the rich seek personal security through bullet-proof cars & armed guards

But the poor are expected to seek it through prayers alone

Pity the Nation that espouses an ideology that ensures equal rights for all citizens

But remains indifferent to gross violations of the rights of ‘lesser citizens’

Pity the Nation that treats its friends as foes

But its enemies as friends

Pity the Nation where the rich rob the state of taxes

But the loss is recouped from the poor

Pity the Nation where anchor persons act as judges & judges as anchor persons

Pity the Nation where Warriors are plotting, politicians  wrangling, media shrieking, Black Robes braying

And where people are fast losing the hope of a better tomorrow. 

In a supplementary note ala Justice Khosa, let me end with the following quote from ”a thousand and one nights.”

 

 “When an unjust Judge without justice judges

Horrible, horrible things are done

But more horrible things are  done

When justice judges an unjust judge.”