Why Do We Need More Open Discussion Gatherings? How Do They Add Value to Our Society?
When I watch a TV debate between a panel who are hurling abuses at each other on national television, it leaves me in the middle of wondering about the way the discussion is being held between the representatives of thousands of people.
It shocks me to the core of my heart to imagine my age-fellow youth who are so eager to demolish a statue of a historical figure just because he falls in the definition of the entitled enemy and deserves all the hate from radical youngsters for being non-Muslim, even though the religious difference cannot alter the map of history.
Thus, it aches my imagination for aspiring an extremist-free society and an open discussion platform. The absence of such debates grows intolerance towards other communities, consequently considering them third-class citizens. We as a community are never ready to acknowledge the status of Nobel Prize Laureate Dr. Abdul Salam, whose contributions for bringing pride to his country should be celebrated, but it remains unsung. But we disregard him for being an Ahmadi. That’s how we treat our minorities. And, now, if you arise such questions, a person will stand from the privilege of the majority to speak on behalf of minorities to shed light on how happy they are. Minorities are set in the periphery, and they are never considered to bring in the center to speak themselves.
Similarly, when it comes to the choice of women dressing, there arises the threat to our culture. But it leaves me to think for a moment to reflect on what our culture is and who defines it. Where a brother kills his social-media start sister for honor as he believes it is against our values and undermines his integrity. Is our culture really at stake because a woman wearing a dress of her choice can shutter it? Or what to wear the pride of manhood when women have to save writ of men’s honor?
And there is a list of such questions which always leave me curious to find the answers. But from where to find remained mysterious to me for a long time.
But fortunately, I could get some direction. A pathway where we can establish an atmosphere to discuss the ideas, not propagating which revolve from our textbooks to jingoist songs, for opening mature and rational dialogues. Arts and literary festivals.
I thank one of my professors who is not just confined to teaching but always open to discussion in our class, even when he knows that the intolerance has ingrained its roots so deep that the fire has reached the academic institutes, which are supposed to blossom the inter-faith harmony and social acceptance. As recently news came, a student killed his teacher who contradicts the beliefs of his religious party.
So, my professor once shared that the religious disharmony and rigidity for propagated ideas are born when we pay lesser attention to arts, literature, philosophy, and discussions for learning, not for defeating. And while the state pays no attention to this portion to create a tolerant environment, the members of civil society come forward to arrange gatherings where healthy discussions take place, ideas get shared, and culture is celebrated.
Among such kinds of gatherings, Literary Festivals are organized in different cities starting from the last decade, which is open for everyone. Intellectuals come and share their insights. They even disagree with each other — but respectfully not by spitting bad words. There is no hidden agenda behind such festivals except to teach and learn, discuss and create new ideas, harmony and tolerance, and celebrate different customs and rituals of various regions to celebrate the culture of our country as a whole. — without any division.
So I have had the privilege lately to attend the 10th edition of Lahore Literary Festival on its second day. Renowned journalists, social critics, actors, artists, diplomats, historians, and professors came to set an enlightened sphere of arts, literature, politics, philosophy, and culture.
It was my first time visiting this festival, and I was over the sky to feel such an immense openness among the speakers, moderators, and audience. It proved me wrong. It made me think that my hopelessness in the whole community was because of a specific group of extremist people. Even though they are a particular group, as we know, the darkness spreads faster and catches the attention of others, who wreak havoc and disharmony.
It reaffirmed my belief that although there is a need to prevail in social harmony, provide equal rights to women and minorities, and set new avenues of ethical and rational discussion, it is not impossible. The words and articulation of the ideas of these people are highly motivated for students and people to shape their own thinking patterns and read and search with a high quest to learn for the betterment of our society.
Some people wear pride for being “lumber one”. But for me, seeing intellectuals and our think-tank fill me with joy that we have individuals who have the weapon of reason, logic, and power to connect the dots of history. They have the guts to oppose the prevailing rhetoric and resist the rising extremism in our society. They have ethics to stand for minorities and women’s rights, and this is what makes me feel pride even amidst authoritarianism, dictatorship, and mass surveillance.
I am trying to wrap up these random thoughts I wanted to share. Let us end it with a political satire song Jazbati by Ali Aftab Saeed. When a situation turns out to be too absurd, resist it with rationality and the touch of satire and humor. I pray our society never gets barren of our intellectuals. May they live long to sustain their cause. May equality and harmony prevail.
