Need for collective action against materialism, gender inequality and inadequate governance, which are the root causes of societal decay
In every nook and corner of our society, evils stare us in the face. Dowry deaths, drug addiction, domestic violence, female foeticide, female infanticide, corruption, gender inequality, racism, human trafficking, casteism, poverty, food adulteration, hoarding, etc., to name a few, have raised their ugly heads. All these evils adversely affect society. However, some are graver in nature than others. Female infanticide and female foeticide are against humanity and the natural plan. No one has the liberty to kill a living being. Such acts directly attack the very survival of generations. However, this behaviour is not the result of just a few days; it has a long history that slowly and steadily prepared the ground for such actions. Here, I would like to shed some light on the causes of this.
The first is materialism. This materialism is a path that must be trodden carefully. It has the potential to create as well as destroy. However, experience shows that the harmful side of materialism destroys a majority of people. They worship materialism and hoard it, thinking it will remain with them forever. Humanity is humiliated in its pursuit. The destruction in Central Asia, Myanmar, Syria, Africa, etc., has made it clear that when the crown of humanity acts beyond its capacity, the fate of the world is destined for destruction. This destruction gives rise to numerous other crimes. Drug addiction, sex scandals, and human trafficking happen in such areas because, in the backdrop of a failed government, might becomes right. Anti-social elements replace morality, and the result is that society falls into an abyss of immorality, from which it is very difficult to emerge.
The second is a lack of scientific temper. Every religious and non-religious text stresses the importance of pondering over the creation of the universe. The perfect design of the universe makes a person realize that there is someone who is the most intelligent and perfect designer. The diversity among living beings allows one to appreciate the Creator. The diversity among non-living things also leaves one amazed. Natural phenomena force a person to think that they occur due to natural causes, with no human contribution. This kind of mindset is an asset for humanity. In contrast, a superstitious mind fears natural phenomena. Rainbows are worshipped, and big trees, on account of their size, are revered. However, God becomes happy when we help each other, regardless of colour, age, or religion. Sacrificing human beings to please gods means that we are more barbaric than animals. God hates violence, yet we kill each other, claiming certain people bring ill omens. This approach is dangerous, and its fruits are bitter.
The third is lenient governance. Governments are sometimes hand in glove with culprits. If they were serious, crimes would not occur on such a large scale. Culprits should be dealt with harshly, and there should be no complacency in punishing them. However, owing to various reasons, culprits often go scot-free. Strict laws are necessary to curtail the smooth growth of crime. In politics, a ruler should embody both mercy and dread, ruling according to circumstances. In the contemporary world, the language of love is not understood by the majority. Hence, it becomes necessary to bring people onto the right track by using the stick. Punishing the guilty ensures others learn a lesson, which could reduce the prevalence of evils.
The fourth is gender inequality. Boys and girls are discriminated against based on superficial factors. A boy is generally seen as a source of pride, while a girl is perceived as a source of shame. This mindset leads to practices like female foeticide, female infanticide, and domestic violence. Social structures perpetuate distinctions between boys and girls. A girl is always looked at with suspicion. Most of the time, boys escape punishment while girls face harassment for the same actions. This inequality is pervasive, from homes to markets. It creates an atmosphere of gloom and frustration. Every day, incidents of rape, teasing, and molestation make headlines. It is a long story of misery with no foreseeable end. When the present situation is gloomy, and no action is taken to address it at the ground level, the future will inevitably be darker.
We call ourselves modern, but we still live in an orthodox manner. We have not understood the reality of human creation. If we had, we would have mended our ways. Even those who understand this often conform to societal norms, leaving society devoid of ethical individuals. This creates countless problems for society. There must be some stop to these crimes. Overall, humanity is disgraced. Let us try our best to stop the spread of evil. Starting at an individual level can prove fruitful. Everyone must contribute to this cause.
Syed Mustafa Ahmad
sy************@***il.com