Total Pageviews

Friday, April 25, 2014

Week 11: Of Nasir, His gang and Civil Society


          Working in close relationship with but at the same time trying to oppose the feudal-bureaucracy-media triad is Nasir and his posse. Their role could be seen as being emblematic of a ‘liberal’ civil society. Though it is believed civil society is not sanctioned by state’s instruments therefore Nasir and Shireen being journalists technically could be constituted to be a part of civil society. However, Nasir’s constant emphasis on active citizenship and empowerment of youth could possibly be decoded as functioning of a distorted form of civil society. Kamal saahab wants Nasir to go abroad in search of a better life, but Nasir wants to stay in the country and help the population even at the cost of his life (earlier on he is attacked by thugs).

           However, this version of civil society could be interpreted in terms of theories of Partha Chaterjee and Akbar Zaidi who see it as a means through which elite are able maintain their dominance and promote their lifestyle. They are concerned with issues regarding modernity, such as literacy, better health facilities and so forth (although these issues are not explicitly mentioned in the drama but there are subtle suggestions towards the importance of education).  The first main hurdle in categorizing Nasir as an elite is that he is depicted or spoken of as an “aam aadmi”, and Shehrbano is classified as “middle class” for wanting to marry him. But, just taking the essence of the theory is it true that Nasir’s quest to help the populace seems superficial at time because he is not really empathetic towards subaltern figures.

          In the scene where Ameer un Nissa’s husband seeks the help of Nasir and his gang to find his wife, he clearly states “nahi saab ek dum bhook nahi hai”, “bilkul nahi khaye ga”  but they constantly impose their opinion over him “pehle khana kha lo humare saath” and literally bully him into eating chat with them. This also shows the type of language barrier between them.

           Moreover, in the scene where Shireen tells Nasir and the gang about Jahanian Shah murdering two men it evokes no feelings of sympathy for the men called. No one is even cared about their family. It is Laal Hussain Shah who reaches out to the families to pacify them so that they can take the case back. But Nasir as a member of civil society seems not at all concerned with the lives of men murder. It is a mere news item and that to which is trivialized by talking about having “chai” first then looking in to the news.

           There hypocrisy becomes most poignant especially when the two kidnappings are juxtaposed to one another. Jahanian Shah kidnapping his step brother for stake in property is seen as “important” news (Nasir says to Kamal, yeh news “buhat important hai”). However, when a member of Shireen’s family is kidnapped, Babar sahib, she protests saying, “lekin sir yeh kahan ki sahafat hai ke kisi ki musibhat ko cash kiya jaye.” So basically, it was fine if it involves someone they are least bit concerned with but as soon as family is involved it becomes a matter of “private” concern.

           Not only this but it is their patronage and connections which bails them out when they are jailed (on a false charge). So Nasir may be “middle class” but it is his father’s connections with police which allow him to get a bail. But using connections and family source is okay as long as it is benefitting them. They did not challenge the police on this.


           Nasir and his posse still continue to endeavour to solve some of the societal problems. But Kamaal sahib is quite apt when he says,“Nasir tum taqreer ke siwa aur kuch nahi kar sakte, kisi masle ka koi hal tumhare paas nahi hai.” 

No comments:

Post a Comment