I think I need to expand on my Mai stance. I feel the need to do so since One has graciously left a very informative comment on my last post. I will narrate his version of the story and then pass on my comments over it. I must say that I have heard the same account of news from my quarters but didn't think it was of any significant use mentioning that side of the story.
So it goes that there are two powerful clans in the area from where this one Mukhtaran Mai comes. As is the case in most of the rural areas of this country both these clans are at loggerheads with each other. Their enemosity is well known and wheel of power keeps on shifting between the two. Mai's brother, her younger brother, who is a minor, had illicit relations with one of the women of one of the clans. When this came to the notice of the relatives of the woman they apprehended the brother. They called their own pinchayat (pinchayat is a village court of elders normally. Also known as Jirga). This was not the village pinchayat but just constituted members of the clan whose woman was involved in the illicit relations with this minor boy. They decided on their own that since the boy was a minor so instead of punishing him one of his relatives should be punished for this. They chose Mai to be raped by the members of this clan.
The other clan pounced at this opportunity to disfigure (guess rightly so) their enemies through bringing this story into media. Media, which was in search of some story to make their private news channels to run, gave the amazing twist to this story in order to dramatize it. So it was born that Mai had been gang raped at the behest of the village elders. This as we know is not the case.
Having said all this I must say that rape is a rape. Be it gang rape or not. To me this is one of the highest forms of immorality that exists in any society. No wonder Islam has suggested such severe punishments for adulterers and rapists. the rapists should be punished with a death penalty and no less. Also women who suffer such barbarism should have courage to come forward and all such cases should be investigated using the latest science has to offer to us. The justice, thus, would be swift and accurate. I think we need to change our attitudes towards women who are raped too. They are not to be hated for something they couldn't help.
But one must keep in mind that media has played both good and bad role in this instant. At the time when this news sprang forth in the media many new news channels were setting up their services in Pakistan. All were in desperate need of some viewership. This news provided them that. But if they had presented the true side of the story it would have been too bland to the Pakistani viewership. So they spiced it up with their own version of the story. Here they not only destroyed the image of our country abroad but also created doubts in our minds.
The good that came out of this media coverage is that atleast now such stories get reported and some justice is given.
The case of Sonia Naz couldn't get any media coverage for two particular reasons. One thatArmy police was involved in this case and since they are the local rulers they have the power to do anything. The second being the perceived effect of this news coverage. Since now these news channels have secured a large number of viewership in this country and abroad they are no longer in need of such news items.
The NGO's have used this case for their own uplift. After all they too need funds to keep themselves fed and healthy. What better way of doing this than playing with a woman's sanctity.
As for the money that Mai is getting I have used this example in my earlier comment as well and I would like to elaborate on it again. Some of our friends are afterall not very good friends. They want to undermine our existence for understandable set of reasons. So if our friends find out a fault with us they should try to rectify it not publish it. If Bush and his country didn't like what happened he could have pressed the dictator for a just and brisk trial. the menial that this dictator is he would have solved the problem there and then. But no they chose to rub it in our faces. Make sue that everyone in this whole wide world watches it so that this image is ingrained into the minds of every soul that lives on this planet.
And yes Mai is not that naive anymore please...
So it goes that there are two powerful clans in the area from where this one Mukhtaran Mai comes. As is the case in most of the rural areas of this country both these clans are at loggerheads with each other. Their enemosity is well known and wheel of power keeps on shifting between the two. Mai's brother, her younger brother, who is a minor, had illicit relations with one of the women of one of the clans. When this came to the notice of the relatives of the woman they apprehended the brother. They called their own pinchayat (pinchayat is a village court of elders normally. Also known as Jirga). This was not the village pinchayat but just constituted members of the clan whose woman was involved in the illicit relations with this minor boy. They decided on their own that since the boy was a minor so instead of punishing him one of his relatives should be punished for this. They chose Mai to be raped by the members of this clan.
The other clan pounced at this opportunity to disfigure (guess rightly so) their enemies through bringing this story into media. Media, which was in search of some story to make their private news channels to run, gave the amazing twist to this story in order to dramatize it. So it was born that Mai had been gang raped at the behest of the village elders. This as we know is not the case.
Having said all this I must say that rape is a rape. Be it gang rape or not. To me this is one of the highest forms of immorality that exists in any society. No wonder Islam has suggested such severe punishments for adulterers and rapists. the rapists should be punished with a death penalty and no less. Also women who suffer such barbarism should have courage to come forward and all such cases should be investigated using the latest science has to offer to us. The justice, thus, would be swift and accurate. I think we need to change our attitudes towards women who are raped too. They are not to be hated for something they couldn't help.
But one must keep in mind that media has played both good and bad role in this instant. At the time when this news sprang forth in the media many new news channels were setting up their services in Pakistan. All were in desperate need of some viewership. This news provided them that. But if they had presented the true side of the story it would have been too bland to the Pakistani viewership. So they spiced it up with their own version of the story. Here they not only destroyed the image of our country abroad but also created doubts in our minds.
The good that came out of this media coverage is that atleast now such stories get reported and some justice is given.
The case of Sonia Naz couldn't get any media coverage for two particular reasons. One that
The NGO's have used this case for their own uplift. After all they too need funds to keep themselves fed and healthy. What better way of doing this than playing with a woman's sanctity.
As for the money that Mai is getting I have used this example in my earlier comment as well and I would like to elaborate on it again. Some of our friends are afterall not very good friends. They want to undermine our existence for understandable set of reasons. So if our friends find out a fault with us they should try to rectify it not publish it. If Bush and his country didn't like what happened he could have pressed the dictator for a just and brisk trial. the menial that this dictator is he would have solved the problem there and then. But no they chose to rub it in our faces. Make sue that everyone in this whole wide world watches it so that this image is ingrained into the minds of every soul that lives on this planet.
And yes Mai is not that naive anymore please...
Comments