This time, the fate of life targets a woman diarist which led her to a horrible death. The tragic murder of 56-year-old Afghan-Indian woman, Sushmita Banerjee, is, indeed, a very sad tragedy. Her boiling blood steams in the form of question marks not supporting only the innocence of her but also of hundreds of women being sacrificed similarly across the country. Nonetheless, the heartrending stories are being repeated time and again, and then wiped out by the passage of time but the tragedies remain only for their families.
The murder of Sushmita Banerjee reflects the innocence of Afghan women whose blood is shed by the Taliban insurgents. Meanwhile, this incident reflects the instability of the country and, unluckily, her imagination did not come true. As BBC quotes from her brother, Mr. Banerjee, saying, “She told us she was returning to Afghanistan because the security situation had improved and the Taliban were on the run. She wanted to start her life there again.” In addition, the role of this brave woman was not only being the subject of a Bollywood film on her life after her “dramatic escape from the clutches of the Taliban”, as her memoirs claimed but she also played her role devotedly in the real world.
Another message that the murder of this woman diarist sends to the world is that the militants are still persisting against any social and cultural activities of woman. The Islamic radical groups have always been against woman’s social and political role and cannot stand them at any cost. Normally, conservative minds cannot digest freedom and democracy and therefore, the social role of woman has no position in the frame of their minds.
The violence targeting women in one way or another is dramatically on rise which is a matter of great concern. The cruel and bloody phenomena on one hand and the domestic violence on the other hand smack of high vulnerability of women in the society and as well as in the home. The recent murder of 25-year-old woman by her husband in Herat Province and the rape of 30-year-old woman in Ghor Province add more sadness to the story.
In spite of the human right and civil right activists, the widespread domestic and honor killing violence, sexual abuses, forced marriages, and violation of woman’s rights are making the stories of the day across the Afghan patriarchal society. Even though, such painful sacrifices of women hurt one’s feelings deeply and lead one to the verge of tears, nevertheless, the challenges remain the same. Moreover, some voices which are raised in support of their rights are soon silenced by the insurgents’ bullet.
Depriving women from their certain rights by using force and violence which is lacking moral values is against Islamic laws. Undoubtedly, Islam holds great respect and high value for women allowing no one to violate their rights. Those who are trying to use force and resort to violence against women indoors or outdoors are cursed in Islam. Therefore, for the sake of decreasing violence against them mullahs are highly responsible to preach and explain the Islamic codes for the people. The role of the Islamic clergies, in this regard, will not be without effect and their action certainly will bear fruit. Hence, hope they will not neglect their responsibility and step forward for this serious issue.
The current horrific incidents happening every now and then by the militant insurgents dishearten women tremendously and marginalize them from taking part in social and political life. The fear of 2014 is ruling the minds of people and the more it approaches the more militancy is emerging in the country. The negative impact of foreign force withdrawal remains no more a secret for Afghan people. It is feared that Afghanistan will also fall to the destiny of Iraq, the country which is in the grip of sectarian violence and terrorist acts. If the current situation continues without any serious actions to be taken by the government, then the boasting and claiming of the Afghan government about having the power of control will go under question.
The issue of women’s rights, roles and positions in the society is politicized greatly and supported by national and international organizations. Nonetheless, their civil movements and social and cultural roles are suppressed, their rights are violated and their equality to men is denied. Meanwhile, the doors of schools are still closed to them in the Taliban-dominated areas. In this case, I justify women pointing blaming finger to the government officials for not providing security for the citizens, for being corrupt and for holding secret negotiation with Taliban who has always denied the legitimacy of the current government and never fulfilled their promises made on the table of peace negotiations.
The political issue of Afghanistan is too complicated to be judged. On one hand a glimmer of hope shines in the eyes of people thinking optimistically about the outcome of presidential election but on the other hand many polling stations which are exposed to danger dash some individuals’ hope. Therefore, nobody, even the political elites, have clear outlook about the future of the election and country’s stability. In short, as far as the political structure of the country is vulnerable and security is fragile, it will not be paradoxical to say that Afghan people live between fear and hope.
Anyhow, blood is mightier than bullet. The bullet which has shed the blood draws the world’s condemnation whereas the blood draws commendation. Mostly, the winners are those who embrace honorable death for the sake of their sacred goal. Even though the murderers are alive, their life has no value in the society and they are the very infamous individuals who deserve to be dead. Hence, everyone will keep the glorious death of this brave woman, Sushmita Banerjee, in their mind but express their strong hatred over the murderers’ cruel and inhuman acts. The bloodstain of her stands as question mark while the bullet has no answer for that and the bullet owners are denounced by the history and as well as by the society.