"We have seen this movie before - and we know how it ends.On 3 December 2021, Priyantha Kumara, a 49-year-old Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, was dragged out of his workplace by a violent mob, brutally beaten to de@th and then set on f!re. The mob had gathered over an allegation of blasphemy. The horrifying images of people celebrating around his buning body shocked the entire world.Today, we again witnessed the disturbing reports of a mob assaulting Colonel Asfandyar at Sarhad University in Islamabad. According to the reports, he was trying to protect his wife when he was confronted and attacked by a group of students.Let's be absolutely clear: a mob has no right to attack anyone.Colonel Asfandyar was surrounded and being physically assaulted, the situation could have turned into another Sialkot very quickly. Once a mob gets out of control, there is no guarantee that the beating will stop. What begins as an argument can end with someone lying dead.And that is precisely why the Sialkot tragedy must never be forgotten.We cannot have a society where a crowd decides who is guilty, surrounds a person, beats him, and then claims justification afterward. Whether the person is a soldier, a civilian, a student, a foreigner or anyone else,mob violence is criminal violence.If Colonel Asfandyar resorted to aerial firing to stop an advancing mob, the circumstances surrounding that decision must certainly be investigated. But before passing judgment, we should also ask the uncomfortable question:What would have happened if he had simply stood there and allowed the mob to overwhelm him?We have already seen the answer in Sialkot.The lesson is brutally simple: law and order must prevail before mob mentality takes over.Disagreement is not a licence to attack. Anger is not a licence to kill. A crowd is not a court.Pakistan cannot afford another Priyantha Kumara tragedy."
On December 3, 2021, the brutal murder of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan factory manager in Sialkot, ignited global outrage after he was lynched by a mob over blasphemy allegations. Fast forward to today, and a similar incident unfolded at Sarhad University in Islamabad involving Colonel Asfandyar, who was attacked while attempting to protect his wife. These events raise alarm bells about the prevalence of mob justice in Pakistan.
Reports indicate that Colonel Asfandyar was confronted by a group of students during a distressing altercation. The severity of the violence faced was reminiscent of the horrific fate met by Kumara. In Pakistan, the societal tendency towards mob violence reveals a daunting trend where emotions often supplant the rule of law. A mobs interpretation of justice frequently disregards lawful processes, leading to devastating consequences.
The Sialkot tragedy should serve as a potent reminder that vigilantism and mob mentality are corrosive to society. The situation poses critical questions regarding both societal norms and the security measures in place to protect civilians. If Colonel Asfandyar felt that defensive measures like aerial firing were necessary, it underscores an immediate need for thorough investigations into such instances.
Countries and human rights organizations have consistently condemned acts of mob violence in Pakistan. The international community looks to Pakistan's authorities to enforce law and order while safeguarding human rights. The defense of individuals deemed guilty in the court of public opinion requires proactive legal frameworks and robust law enforcement to prevent tragedies from occurring. Vigilante justice is not just a local problem but a concern that echoes globally, alerting nations worldwide to the dangers of social unrest and mob violence.
As Pakistan navigates these troubling waters, it is crucial to foster a society where the rule of law supersedes emotional reactions. Citizen education about civil rights, awareness of lawful conflict resolution, and respect for due process are vital. Initiatives promoting dialogues that bridge divides can help minimize conflicts escalated by misunderstandings. Pakistan stands at a crucial juncture where decisive leadership and constructive societal change can prevent further tragedies akin to that of Priyantha Kumara. Let it be clear: the path forward must emphasize humanity over hysteria, justice over mob mentality.
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