EDITORIAL: The incident that took place at Pattoki in Punjab on Monday is a sad reflection on what this society is turning into: a mass of unkind people without feeling for other humans. According to media reports, a poor vendor was selling paaper outside a banquet hall when some wedding guests picked a quarrel with him over price or something and beat him to death. That was horrifying enough for any normal person, but not these people. His body was taken inside the reception hall, placed on the floor and covered with a white sheet, probably taken from one of the dining tables. And all the guests sat feasting on the wedding meal next to the dead body as if nothing had happened.
The killing might have gone unaccounted for had the video of the dead man lying near the people enjoying food not gone viral on social media and from there splashed onto TV screens causing widespread shock and anger over the callousness displayed by the wedding guests. Their version is that the vendor fell down and died from injuries. The police, however, have registered an FIR on the complaint of the victim’s brother-in- law who claimed that he and two others were eyewitnesses to the incident and had even been pleading with the assailants to spare the life of their man. Although the police have rejected torture allegations citing preliminary medical report, 12 suspects were arrested a day after the vendor lost his life. Which means the family version is closer to the truth. Further lending strength to suspicion of foul play is that CCTV cameras installed at the place were removed soon after the incident. The police though have recovered the CCTV footage, which should provide lead to all the perpetrators. Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has also taken notice of the appalling incident. Hopefully, that will help bring all involved to justice.
Even as this case is of a different nature, but not different in lack of human sympathy seen in several other cases, like in the lynching of the Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, stoning to death of a mentally disturbed man in Vehari, lynching of Mashal Khan at the Abdul Wali Khan University in Mardan, and burning alive in a brick kiln of a Christian couple not very far from Lahore. It is about time all right thinking individuals and government leaders figured out what is it that has stripped so many people of their basic humanity. Is it the rise of violent extremism that shows no respect for human life or some systemic failures? For now, it is good to note that the government has honoured with a special bravery award at Pakistan Day celebrations the young man who tried to save, albeit unsuccessfully, the life of the Sri Lankan national. That should encourage others to stand up to those committing cruelty against other people. It also needs to look into the school curriculums with a view to inculcating humanness in young minds.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2022