GB needs a George Washington
George Washington, the first president of the United States
(US), is known for his heroic feats in the Revolutionary War that helped the
colonies overthrow the yoke of British slavery. Despite having a little
experience of war, he stood like a hard-rock in front of the experienced British
Army. Many historians laud him for his exemplary role in the American
War of Independence. However, some believe that the win was for the colonies fighting the war for their survival. On the other hand, the British were
fighting a war of wealth, plunder, and loot. History is testimony to the fact
that the Americans, being oppressed, were fighting against oppression and they
were asserting to have themselves and their presence recognized. The famous
slogan, “No taxation without representation” is attributed to the very first
president of the US.
This man, in America and other parts of the world, is known to
date for turning a slave nation into a great one. What reminds me of
Washington? In the first place, there is a region-wide protest going on in GB
against the reduction of wheat subsidy, the question of land rights, long power cuts, and taxation. Secondly, there is a complete media blackout of the demonstration
across GB. What triggered me to write on the subject is taxation without
representation. Although, the protests are held against the state’s abhorring
attitude and mal-treatment of the indigenous people. The latter are emotionally
attached to the piece of land they inherited from their ancestors. Historically
speaking, the same ancestors had quelled the occupant, Dogra rulers, and freed
themselves from the clutches of Dogra raj. In other words, the independence of GB
has been borne out of gunpowder like other revolutions across the world.
Unfortunately, the state is oblivious to the fact, and the state is not only
turning a blind eye to what is happening in the region but is also bent upon
quashing the demands of people. The unfolding of such events is guiding the
people toward an apocalypse. May it not happen!
Lucky is the state, and unfortunate is the region that they
don’t have a Washington to lead from the front. Neither the people have the
mounting courage like that of the colonies. How naïve were the rulers who
unconditionally acceded to Pakistan? The latter have taken it for granted and
despotism is at large akin to British Empire. Importantly, it is the only
nation in Pakistan that demands not separation, like the thirteen colonies, but
recognition of the sacrifices they have been rendering since the
unconditional accession. They are
looking forward to having signed a new social contract in line with the idea
propounded by Rousseau. There is only one way out of the problem; either the
state needs to shed “false consciousness” or the people must forget the
“class consciousness. The latter is near to impossible in this digital age
where every other person is a key-board warrior who can turn out to be the pivot in
the win against the state’s false consciousness. Yet, it may have cost for both but the state can make it a win-win situation.
Now is the time for the state to stop acting like an imperial
power but a democratic country of sovereign people. It is high time the GB
should bring up its sons and daughters in a manner that helps produce
Washington(s) and Benazir(s) who can negotiate with the powers that be and
bring the nation out of the miserable conditions. The region does not bear bloodshed nor does it deserve it. It is a heaven to live and shade to be cool and
water to quench the thirst. GB is a pivot to China, China is a pivot to Asia
and Asia is a wedge to the future of the world. Let peace be the atmosphere of
the mountains and rivers, not the dust and blood.
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