Our society is in dire need of comprehending the relevancy of a famous quote of Hazrat Ali (RA) with the growing toxicity in day-to-day communication. Hazrat Ali (RA) said, “A person of dignity would never use obscene language”. It is about time for us to think about the reasons for rapidly declining ethical standards and their ill effects on society.
This brainstorming should be serious, multi-dimensional, analytical and above all corrective in nature. Generally speaking about ethical decline, the majority of our intellectuals, commentators, preachers and opinion makers lay more emphasis on corruption, injustice, social disparities and various sorts of discrimination prevailing in society.
There is no dearth of various brands of activists who never miss any chance to raise their voices on human rights violations, gender discrimination, violent extremism and matters pertaining to the freedom of expression. At this point, we will not allocate more energies for evaluating the purity of intent of these vocal activists who usually join the populist chorus as a liberal fashion.
Evaluation of social preachers, political commentators and quite a huge number of motivational speakers might divert our focus from an important societal disease which is worsening with every passing day. The collective behaviour of society on social media platforms is alarmingly unhealthy and unpleasant. The growing level of toxicity can be gauged from the nature of abusive language and derogatory comments used by contesting sides.
The first impression emerging from most of the social media platforms in Pakistan is quite disappointing. It seems that society as a whole has lost the ability to tolerate dissent or difference of opinion. Most of the comments on digital platforms revolve around the humiliation or degradation of opponents with abusive language, distasteful Emoji, fake or doctored stuff (audio/video) and above all barrage of accusations without evidences.
This systematic character assassination spree is being manifested with full impurity on social media 24/7. Ironically, this blatant violation of ethical values and fundamental rights is taking place in the garb of freedom of expression. Shadowy keyboard warriors launch preciously aimed assaults on their targets in the cyber domain.
They often target political parties, government officials, and national institutions including armed forces, judiciary, LEA’s and media persons. A recent incident which took place reportedly in a bakery in the federal capital is another strong evidence of societal decline. Video of the incident is getting viral on social media for highly disappointing reasons.
Objectionable and highly derogating remarks of a bakery salesman against the seniormost appointment of the apex court were recorded apparently in an illegal manner. Subsequently, a brief video was posted and systematically spread on social media platforms by shadowy keyboard warriors. This immature act of bakery salesman is condemnable but the worst part remains the jubilation of self-righteous supporters of a particular political party. Ironically, the educated lot of society is celebrating a highly condemnable act and boosting the brief video on social media platforms in blatant violation of universally acknowledged moral principles.
This obnoxious behavior becomes more alarming with the synchronized collective amplification from a peculiar political group. In the first place, saner quarters should arrange a purposeful evaluation of growing intolerance, toxicity and senselessness among so-called political workers who prefer abusive trolling over logical debate. Apparently, firebrand leaders and overzealous party spokespersons frequently appearing on TV shows, have played a big role in spoiling the standards of debate on political, social and legal issues.
Repeated demonization of political rivals with over-exaggerated accusations of corruption and treason have been cunningly used to ditch the rivals without any legal proceedings. Over a period of time, blind followers of respective parties have started believing that nobody could be trusted unless approved by their self-righteous leader.
Our society has already suffered a lot at the hands of religiously misled extremists. Infusion of intolerance and abusive character assassination techniques in political circles have gradually transformed the parties in cults. It has been a point of greater concern that major political parties have started using social media groups as tools to mount pressure on decision-making quarters.
Obviously, such mischievous methods are never applied by those groups who believe in fair means. It is always a dearth of logic and purity which compels any group to influence the decision-making process with malicious unfair social media campaigns.
Demagogues responsible for promoting these toxic tendencies are going to taste their own medicine anytime soon. Sane elements of society should play an active role in detoxing the youth from venomous intolerant tendencies. Prolonged dominance of spoilers may lead to the absolute death of logic and decency in society.
