Blasphemy and false allegations
If someone claims that false cases are not registered under the cover of blasphemy, it is a blatant lie. However, if someone asserts that incidents of blasphemy are not occurring at all, that would be an even bigger falsehood. A recent order by a judge of the Islamabad High Court regarding the formation of a government commission on blasphemy cases has triggered an alarmingly severe reaction from religious scholars. Not only is the judge being harshly criticized, but he is also receiving serious threats. Those angered by the judicial decision claim that there is a conspiracy, under foreign pressure, to abolish the blasphemy laws, and that the order to establish this commission is part of that plan. They also argue that there is no crime in Pakistan for which false cases are not registered, so why is there a need to form a commission specifically for blasphemy cases?
According to the law, cases with concrete evidence should proceed after investigation, and those proven false should be dismissed. On the ground, it is nearly impossible to abolish or fundamentally change blasphemy laws. Even a slight suspicion or misunderstanding in this regard can cause severe difficulties for the government and the state. The most dangerous aspect is that the crime of blasphemy is not like other crimes; even a false accusation can endanger a person’s life, no matter how devout, religious, and practicing a Muslim they may be.
Ideally, the judiciary and the government should show courage and impose strict punishments on those who file bogus cases. Sweeping incidents under the rug under the guise of “mob” or “riot” only pushes society towards the law of the jungle. Filing blasphemy cases due to property disputes or personal grudges has become a fashion, and elements provoking sectarian differences are also a significant factor.
The sectarian divide within Pakistan is not just an internal issue; it must be examined closely how ambassadors of various countries, particularly the United States and European nations, are involved in certain activities. If they have no connection with Islam, why do they take such extraordinary interest and become so active in certain matters? The increase in blasphemy incidents is a warning bell. Laws and codes of conduct are present, yet they are being trampled upon, and the state is failing to play its role in this sensitive matter. Who can predict the direction of events in the coming days?
It is unfortunate that religious political parties are not playing an effective role regarding what is happening in society; in fact, they are playing no role at all. All their passion is spent on issuing statements about a judge or condemning an individual. As the saying goes, evil should be uprooted, and similarly, malicious attempts of blasphemy should be suppressed firmly from the outset. Even more importantly, there should be stricter legislation against those who make false allegations. Laws and codes of conduct already exist, but if there is no enforcement, then society must be prepared to face the severe consequences, a glimpse of which will become evident to the nation when the court’s decision to form a commission is completely unravelled in the next few days.
Another major tragedy of our society is that ordinary Pakistanis, out of fear or in an attempt to please everyone, have adopted an indifferent attitude towards religious matters. They shut their ears to falsehood and become fearful of those who make false accusations of blasphemy. It is akin to a pigeon closing its eyes upon seeing a cat, thinking the danger will pass. Such an approach will never control chaos.
If we look at other countries, no one dares to challenge the laws in place. There are restrictions everywhere regarding religious matters. Take the United States, for example; just a few days ago, when a church in Gaza was targeted by an Israeli attack, Trump called Netanyahu to reprimand him. Netanyahu, who was mercilessly engaged in the genocide of Palestinian Muslims, became so panicked that he called the Pope to apologize. The U.S. ambassador to Israel formally wrote a letter warning Israel. This American reaction sends a message that adopting an apologetic stance on religious matters is a sign of weakness and cowardice, and there is no room for extremist behaviour either.
The most effective solution to the issue of blasphemy is the strict implementation of the relevant laws and regulations. Transparent investigations are essential. The day the state succeeds in assuring society of this, genuine accountability of both those who commit blasphemy and those who make false accusations will truly begin.