GLAD NEWS FROM SAUDI ARABIA – AFGHANISTAN STILL IN DOLDRUMS

It was a heartening news? We went euphoric when we read about the historic decision taken by the authorities of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to allow two young ladies to take part in the 30th Olympics about to commence shortly in the hallowed city of London. This is a historic moment, a defining moment in the history of Saudi women who led a caged existence (Don’t be too euphoric. Still they have miles to go for reaching the final destination.) A historic moment in the Olympic history. Certainly. The international pressure was mounting to grant freedom to Saudi women to take part in the Olympics since decades. In addition to the international pressure the growing demand for more freedom in various walks of life on a par with the men of that nation from the part of Saudi women themselves is rising. Growing awareness about their plight and the opportunities that lie ahead that they imbibed through education helped them in their stride for freedom. Education made them enlightened. And the social networking sites helped them to fight against the establishment with courage, will and determination. Ever since the ‘Jasmine Revolution’ which spread to various Arab countries even the Saudi throne was shaken. With the passage of time Saudi authorities will be compelled to make amends for their stubborn stand otherwise a day will come when they find themselves in the lurch. True, the Saudi women are on the war path, they have started to rebel against the establishment and in due course through a revolution they will finally taste victory like their compatriots in other countries. The winds of change have already started blowing across the nations around the world.

Still the Muslim women in certain countries are confined to their homes leading a prisoner like existence. Most of us must have come to know about a tragic incident which happened in Afghanistan where US backed govt is holding the reigns of power two to three days ago. A young lady was literally lynched by a group of wicked men charging her with adultery in the presence of a large crowd that too in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan under the very nose of President Hamid Karzai. None among the onlookers came forward to interfere. Instead they played moral policing. Some even went to the extent of applauding and encouraging the dreaded act while a helpless, hapless lady was being tortured ruthlessly. Where the hell went those entrusted with maintaining law and order?

The foreign soldiers are still very much in Afghanistan. Till 2014 they are expected to be there. So what? Taliban frequently rears its ugly tentacles striking soft targets at will, any time anywhere. Hamid Karzai last week extended an olive branch to Mullah Omar, the Taliban leader who is still at large by inviting him to contest in the coming Presidential elections provided Mullah Omar is willing to leave the arms. Hamid Karzai’s request seems to have reached deaf ears as no response is forthcoming from the Taliban authorities so far. While the Afghan govt is trying to reconstruct the nation devastated by more than ten years of war, with the generous assistance of friendly countries (India is one among them) on one side, the destructive Taliban is bent upon scuttling the mission by wreaking havoc with the nation’s progress. What will be the aftermath after US and allies fly to their lands midway in 2014. It is a conclusion foretold that Taliban won’t ever come to the path of negotiation with the incumbent govt, instead they will emerge more and more stronger and those elements holed up in safe havens in the harsh terrains will appear with determination to snatch power and rule the nation with an iron grip. Turn the pages of history. Even now we will be frightened to recall the harm they slapped on the nation by introducing the archaic Shariat law forcing the people especially women to lead a life like slaves with no freedom in sight. No permission to go to school, no permission to work outside, no permission to wear the dresses they like – absolutely no freedom to their rescue. Now women can come out into the streets and hold demonstrations like the women in democracies to demand justice. Under Taliban they will be subjected to torture and death even for innocent mistakes. It is high time democratic countries rose to the occasion and wiped away this menace from the soil of Afghanistan.