No more striking strikes
By Shahid Rizvi
The strike is a double-edged weapon that cuts on both sides. Our political, religious, ethnic, linguistic, and parochial-oriented parties have in recent years made it a regular exercise to call for strikes on minor and irrelevant issues. They are not at all concerned with the pros and cons of the call, nor do they make any effort to assess what they could gain through these strikes.
Our politicians show immaturity and lack if insight when they go for strike leaving aside all other means of protest.
Strike is a form of agitation. And agitation in essence, is an expression of resentment. It not only condemns the government but also depicts a will to topple it. Definitely, there are problems with domestic issues that agitate the mind like taxes, etc., as well as issues like the demolition of the mosque in India or something about it in Palestinians which stir our emotions and agitate our minds. We take out processions and arrange gatherings.
Since the government is the only authority to which we can approach, in all cases domestic, or international, our slogans are always pointed against the government. We either deliberately or unknowingly, obviate the difference between the relevance and intensity of the issue and the degrees of agitation.
For example, the question of freedom of expression, right of assembly, freedom of a news media to write whatever they think is right, human rights and dignity, etc., which always needed to topple a dictatorial government or martial law regime. There was no other way to achieve these freedoms without the chance of the government. On the other hand, there are issues like taxes, power breakdown, corruption, etc., which issues do not go away with a certain party government.
All these long-term issues need a continuity in policy. Obviously, the skyrocketing prices are not due to the short-term policies of a certain government in power. What is the sanity behind the demand for dismissing the government on such issues.
In most of the cases, where political, religious, and other parties give a call for a strike, the issues have been more or less questionable.
Why it has become so easy to give a call for a strike and arrange full implementation of the call? There are many explanations. The parties interested in strikes manage the success of their call through rowdyism burning of tires and torching of vehicles, resorting to intense firing, stoning, and such tactics.
Naturally, damage to life and property is the most unpleasant thing so everyone tries to stay at home. There are no or very few people on the road and the strike is called successful. The parties then claim that the public is with them and their claim to the following of the masses is irrefutable. It is not surprising that Tonga parties come out as leaders with the help of such strikes, which they manage with the help of gonda elements.
Other reasons are also there but of less significance. It is an easy way of showing strength. Unfortunately, the negative politics and dictatorial means by the martial law regimes for a long period have created a psyche of passivity in the masses. Although the people suffer, badly they feel it better to stay away from politics. This is also one of the reasons behind the success of such strikes.
Another reason for giving such direct calls is that our political leaders and activists are immature all alike.
A strike is a high point in agitational strategy and needs proper assessment. There are thousands of ways to record to protest. The mobilization of people on issues is a long-term activity and needs much concentration.
To create political awareness in the masses is a very difficult job – in effect a self-sacrificing job. People’s politics is a democratic process and one who wants to emerge as their leader should have their pulses under his fingers. Masses are not a clumsy heap of idiots. In their inner self they are sharp and fully know their interest. The mammoth gatherings of Jamaat Islami and the votes they got is a glaring example of people’s wisdom.
To win the people is the fulfillment of the first step in politics. To adopt the ways that show the real following of unarmed masses is a difficult objective to achieve. The easy way of showing the so-called ‘strength’, the tactics of strike cannot go on forever. With the progress, development, and strengthening of democracy in the country and increasing awareness of the masses, these tactics are bound to fail. Already it is yielding bad results and giving a low profile of such leaders.
The hard fact these leaders do not realize is that strike calls do not effect the stability of the government but instead create unbearable problems for the people. The patients, the passengers, daily wagers, those who have urgent appointments, the hawkers, school children, and college students all suffer. To keep away from work and sit idle in the house is not a pleasing idea.
Another fact worth consideration is that the losses in revenue and economic activity even for one day leave a long-lasting impact. Cut the amount receivable for say a few days in a year, the deficit will show up in the next budget. Whoever forms the government, the strike brings down the revenue and the trade and business suffers. Then, there are more and more taxes, more agitation and irritation and more losses and less development work, less education, less health budget, no matter who is in the government.
The vicious cycle of strikes gives an ultimatum steep down graphs to the whole nation.
To give a call of strike is to use a tool which contains every possibility of becoming violent. The politicians actually play a murderous game keeping in mind that the death of a few workers will give them a chance to come to power. Instead of trying to save the lives of common people, they have been trying to play with the lives of their own workers. This game is now completely exposed to the public.
A few recent examples of opposition political maneuvers are on record, which have however bitterly failed to false motivate the people.
Strike, without violence and disturbing law & order, is a democratic right which, however, needs a complete strategy. Convince the people that you will give a more democratic and better government which will solve their problems, then only you have a right to make a strategy to oust the regime.
Unfortunately, Pakistan is short of democratic-minded leaders and most of our lot are dictators either in the name of religion, ethnic and language basis, narrow nationalism, tramnants of martial law, and feudal lords. Opposition is fully composed of such elements. People‘s Party itself has a very few leaders. Less than the fingertips, who can be called democratic-minded. However, with these few headed by Benazir Bhutto who is no doubt recognized as world ranking democratic leader the People’s Party is the best choice available. It would be better for the opposition parties as well as the people and interests of Pakistan if thousands of other ways and means to record their protest were adopted.
The tactics of emphasizing on minus points to stir up emotions are harmful, instead, corrective actions and alternate solutions may be presented so that the public is shown the viability of their criticism and the sincerity of their purpose.
