Politics everywhere!

Chand Gerehan reflects on several fronts the situation and repercussion of political events in the life to of an ordinary and not so ordinary citizen.  A plethora of issues have been dealt with, be it the changing power placement within the feudal structure, the corrupt bureaucracy, the oppression of women in different spheres, prostitution/pimp business or the failing young generation. The effect of politics and its inescapable magnitude is a key theme in the drama manifest on several instances.

It starts with how the oligarchy of the feudal, bureaucracy and politics trample upon human rights on the minutest of issue and disturb the social and somewhat peaceful fabric of the rural peasantry. The killing of at least three villagers with absolute ease of a mere loose of temper is a powerful statement made by the drama. Before this we witness Ameeruunisa, an illegal immigrant being treated exactly how a Pakistani would treat a Bengali pre-partition. This is a crucial point because the Bangladesh partition was a not an ancient event at the time of this drama. The common narrative of this separatist movement placed blame on the Bengalis but the treatment of Ameeruniss and the atrocities committed against her form a miniature of the truth and reality on the matter.

Shehrbano and her domestic enchainment reflect on the different domains where power and politics can creep in. The marriage, which is an advantageous deal for the bureaucratic and feudal patriarch strips Shehrbano of her individual identity and mimics a common practice in the political play of Pakistan.  This drama is an all-embracing phenomenon because of its outreach and impact in almost every sphere. The failing of the young generation and their explicit foolishness and dread in contacting the police also conveys the message that the future of the country would perhaps be as bleak as the present. Although the internal power structure showed minor changes the class structure and the inhumanity committed therein would not change.