The bitter tears rolling down the cheek of an old woman, for the abduction of her son, will fill one with a deep sense of anguish. She was smoldering with burning sentiment and everything was likely to look blue. The horror and terror provoked her inner volcano to erupt the lava which has been repressed arbitrarily by cold and barbarous hands of the Taliban insurgents. She complained tearfully that her shouts fall on deaf ears. The report said that her son, who was the only bread-winner, has left his family alone with the vicissitudes of life. His family awaits and prays for his release every dawn and dusk with a gleam of hope; however, this hope wanes with each passing day.
His hapless children were weeping acrimoniously for their father’s missing. They urged the government innocently to free their father from the bloody claw of the militants – who feel no iota of mercy or sense of guilt for committing inhuman acts.
The untoward incident – abduction of 31 passengers about 40 days ago – has raised public concerns and led to peaceful demonstrations in many parts of the country, however no sign of progress is seen from the government for their release. The abortive military operation launched by the government ensued, but was soon stopped for mysterious reason. The indifferent approach taken towards this act of terror has drawn public condemnation. Likewise, the apathetic attitude towards the public protests and parliamentarians’ insistence for the release of the abductees, add insult to the injury.
It goes without saying that the Taliban militants are void of humanity and moral standards. They stoop so low to muddy the socio-political issues in one way or another. As a result, the main reason behind abducting 31 Hazaras seems to be fomenting sectarian tension across the country for their own political interests. Nonetheless, Afghan nation was discreet enough not to fall for their political deception. The genocide carried out by the Taliban regime yet haunts the minds of our people. They inflicted mortal wounds on our social structure and historical glories. In short, the toxic effects of the Taliban’s despotic regimen on Afghans’ social, political and cultural issues will hardly fade away from our history.
Afghan nation dreamt to roll a sigh of relief after the downfall of the Taliban’s regime, but their dream has not come true. Our people are yet the target of violence and bloodshed. Some lose their lives or get their limbs amputated, women lose their spouses, children are orphaned, etc. in suicide bombings or terrorist acts – being carried out by the militants.
Additionally, the terrorists have wrecked havoc on the country’s economy. To survive the insecurity and terrorism, many NGOs and domestic investors have left Afghanistan and transferred their money to foreign countries. Whenever the citizens feel that they would be bereft of their basic rights, especially the rights to life, freedom and property, without having any supportive power, they will abandon the country.
After all, a myriad of Afghan citizens flock to foreign countries to survive militancy and get rid of unemployment. As a result, the refugee camps in Jakarta are bursting with Afghan citizens who intend to take refuge to Australia. Since the security situation and unemployment are deteriorated recently, the Afghans are left only with the choice of escaping the crises. If the security and economic states remain in the doldrums, people would leave the country with utter despondency to survive terrorism and gain a morsel of bread for their families. How long should Afghan nation grin and bear this catastrophe?
It is believed that we live under a democratic state. But this so-called democratic system is fraught with great challenges. Violating man’s rights and dignity is rampant, life has no value, might is considered right, law is broken flagrantly, administrative corruption is at its acme, production of narcotic drug is on rise, nepotism is a usual phenomena and iniquity and injustice are going on relentlessly. So, this nominal democracy will not heal the wounded hearts of our nation. The idealistic discussion about democracy and constitution will be fruitless if it never be put in pragmatic frame or applied realistically. Thus, it is rightly said that ‘action speaks louder than words’.
Men and women are born with natural and inalienable rights – the rights to life, liberty and estate. No one, including the government, can violate these rights without the process of law. After all, the government is supposed constitutionally to protect the rights and dignity of the citizens, provide them a peaceful and prosperous life and treat them without any discrimination. The Constitution of Afghanistan states in article 6 as, “The state shall be obligated to create a prosperous and progressive society based on social justice, preservation of human dignity, protection of human rights, realization of democracy, attainment of national unity as well as equality between all peoples and tribes and balance development of all areas of the country.”
What worries Afghans is that a year has passed from the presidential election, yet the cabinet members are not formed, the challenges of terrorism, corruption, narcotic production and low economy remain unsolved. Afghans evince dissatisfaction about insecurity and unemployment.
Let us hope that the officials will carry out their responsibilities properly based on the country’s constitution and “form a civil society void of oppression, atrocity, discrimination as well as violence, based on rule of law, social justice, protecting integrity and human rights, and attaining peoples’ freedoms and fundamental rights.”