Beyond Patriotism: Navigating Grief and Unity in the Wake of Tragedy

In the wake of the harrowing Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar on December 16, 2014, Pakistan united in grief and resolve. The nation was introduced to a patriotic song, "Mujhe Dushman Ke Bachon Ko Parhana Hai", which aimed to channel the nation's sorrow into a powerful message of resilience and hope. However, as a child, listening to this song felt wrong; I felt a dissonance between the contagious beat and the gravity of the tragedy it was meant to address. It felt as though we were celebrating the martyrdom of these children who were supposed to return home before the sun set. It was an unsettling thought, yet one that was never processed beyond the sense of loss experienced at the time. So now that I have a chance, I shall take the liberty to address the nature of this patriotism and the victims' tragedy, the balance between grief and resilience, and the broader context of suffering within a nation.

Patriotic songs like this one often aim to inspire resilience and unity in the face of adversity. The upbeat and contagious beat and the message of educating the enemy's children will likely turn collective grief into a constructive and hopeful narrative. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that grief is a deeply personal experience. For the families directly affected by this tragedy, a more sombre and reflective approach might have felt more respectful and sensitive to their immense loss. For those who lost loved ones, public displays of patriotism can sometimes feel at odds with their sorrow. This dissonance can make such responses feel hollow or even exploitative, especially if they feel their pain is being used to serve a broader narrative. Not to mention, the revelation that the army had received threats prior to the attack adds a layer of complexity and potential feelings of betrayal or anger among the victims' families. It raises questions about accountability and the adequacy of the response to those threats. When institutions are perceived to have failed in protecting citizens, patriotic responses can feel like a way to deflect from addressing these failures directly.

There is another aspect to this. In response to this attack, the government of Pakistan implemented a national action plan that included measures infringing upon fundamental rights. Security force abuses prompted thousands of Afghans in Pakistan to return or flee elsewhere. Parliament passed ambiguous and overly broad counterterrorism laws. The purpose here is not to undermine the loss. The hurt caused by the incident greatly impacted the nation. As kids at the time especially, I think all of us have borne the scars of this tragedy one way or the other. However, concerning the broader context of suffering in Pakistan, especially its minority groups, the children of this nation face various forms of violence. It is essential to highlight that there is violence that goes unnoticed and fails to unite the nation.

The responsibility for violence towards minority groups in Pakistan is a complex and multifaceted issue. There are several areas where the state's actions or inactions have had significant implications. In the tribal areas and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (formerly known as FATA), operations against terrorist groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have sometimes resulted in collateral damage to civilian populations, predominantly Pashtuns. Operations such as Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad have led to displacement, loss of life, and destruction of property, causing significant suffering among the local Pashtun population. They have been heavily involved in counter-insurgency operations in Balochistan, where Baloch nationalist groups have been fighting for greater autonomy or independence. This conflict has led to numerous human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture. Reports from human rights organizations have documented cases of the military targeting Baloch activists, intellectuals, and civilians, leading to widespread fear and displacement within the community.

The Hazara community, primarily Shiite Muslims, has been targeted by sectarian militant groups like Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ). There have been criticisms regarding the failure of security forces to provide adequate protection and prevent repeated attacks. The perceived inaction or insufficient response by the military and law enforcement agencies contributes to a sense of insecurity and abandonment among the Hazara community. Pakistan's blasphemy laws have led to violence against Christians and Hindus. These laws are often misused to target religious minorities, leading to mob violence, legal persecution, and social ostracism. Although the military does not directly enact violence against these groups, its influence over state policies and failure to protect minorities from mob violence and persecution plays a role in their suffering.

Again, the 2014 APS attack remains a gut-wrenching tragedy in itself. But minority groups k dushman k bachon ko kon parhaye ga? A nation must recognize and address the suffering of all its citizens. Balanced attention and support can foster a more inclusive and just society. A more inclusive form of patriotism would acknowledge and support all communities facing violence and oppression, ensuring that no group feels neglected or unimportant.

With respect to the song itself, national responses to tragedies should balance patriotic resilience with genuine empathy and support for those directly affected. While patriotic songs like "Mujhe Dushman Ke Bachon Ko Parhana Hai" aim to unite and inspire, it's essential to approach such tragedies with a nuanced understanding of grief, accountability, and inclusivity. Addressing these factors can help create a more sensitive and equitable national response to violence and suffering. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUQeQ400_cs PS if a black vigo shows up on the front door, I'm taking you all with me