'Munni Badnam Hui'

A song from a Bollywood film 'Munni Badnam Hui' that has attracted the attention of cinema lovers is not so surprising but the fact that our politicians have fallen in love with the theme of this song calls for our national attention. A recent TV interview of Sherry Rahman and her husband was clicking when her husband in a reply to a question by anchor said that 'I am Munni and Sherry is Dabang (fearless)'.
The theme of the song describes Munni as someone who is blamed because for her beloved's deeds. Viewing the reply of the gentleman may not merely be a slip of tongue. Our politicians are quoting this song at different platforms with hearty laughter and self amusement.
So, Munni is a charming character with no fault of hers but is subjected to atrocities of others in some sense. The perpetrators though are loveable but at the same time are hurtful and trouble-makers. With WikiLeaks, many people are exposed including our democratically elected government and our armed forces in regard to their dealings with the 'United States'. The people of Pakistan are becoming more skeptical about our leaders' secret dealings.
The government is endeavouring to make the people believe that the WikiLeaks is nothing but a 'farce' but at the same time also giving the impression that they are helpless in many ways as they have to take dictation from United States. Here the 'darling' United States is the cause of blames upon the 'rulers' who in this case are the innocent 'Munni'.
Once a retired FBI director in an interview to a British TV revealed that United States had played roles in disturbing the affairs of a number of countries for the reasons best known to them. As a sovereign power it has to keep the other countries of the world in order and hence solicit obedience and compliance in return of favours. It has failed only on two fronts: was not able to topple the revolutionary leadership of Iran and Fidel Castro of Cuba. Pakistan has assumed a strategic position in view of fragile Afghanistan and the anti-American militants that are supposedly waging a 'war of terror'.
In order to control this state of affairs, the US is supporting Pakistan with huge sums of money that of course is not being used for the welfare of people but for some privileged people at the helm of affairs. The drone attacks are sad and horrific example that is causing a lot of resentment among people of Pakistan. The forceful imposition of taxes on the already taxed people at the IMF's dictation, the forceful move for implementation of RGST and demands for extradition of 'most wanted' people are few highly disturbing events that are quite distressing.
Restriction on our nuclear proliferation, implantation of people in high positions, unrestricted access to borders and much more is being tolerated by Pakistan in the current scenario. It is being openly mentioned by brave journalists in public discussions that politicians, government, armed forces and agencies play in the hands of the said foreign power. Whatever happens in Pakistan is by design and planning of external forces. Pakistan is however getting a very bad name all over the globe because of the unending incidents of terrorism, corruption ranking by Transparency International, human right violation as rated by Human Rights Watch, determination of abject poverty by World Report and now the revelations of WikiLeaks.
The Prime Minister Gilani is being blamed locally for his weak decision making power and unassertiveness. This is despite the fact that all powers as described in Pakistan's original constitution have been transferred to him with the abolition of 18th amendment. Is he really ineffective or helpless in order to please the 'Darling'? Our ex-Premier Meer Zafarullah Jamali was quoted as addressing the then President Pervez Musharraf as 'Sir' a term that was not appropriate for the ruling leader of the Parliament.
There are a number of instances where people in order to remain in power have crossed all ethical and moral boundaries in order to please the 'movers and shakers'. It seems that at least few of our politicians are realising that taking all blames upon themselves for the misdeeds of the 'Masters' is becoming overwhelmingly stressful. At least they are laughing on themselves by reiterating the 'Munni saga' and by doing this they are trying to make a point to other people that they were not very pleased with the state of affairs.
Despite this fact, our rulers cannot afford to displease the sovereign authority that has given them the opportunity to exert power on the innocent people of Pakistan who are deprived of the basic necessities of life. It is being said that Pakistan has tremendous resources in its earth and if those plunderers would bring back the money from foreign banks then Pakistan can solve all its financial problems and will not be dependent on any foreign power. Such 'pseudo-darlings' need immediate extinction in order for 'Munni' to regain her self- respect and dignity.
(The writer is the Professor of Psychiatry at Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada.)