Adil Najam
Basant is around the corner. And so are Basant controversies. Actually, let me change that. Basant controversies are already upon us.
First it was the Punjab government announcing that they would set up a body to ensure safe kite-flying. Then there was the proclamation that Basant WILL be celebrated in Lahore with traditional ‘fervor.’ And now there is news that the Supreme Court has called in the Punjab government to explain why they would defy a stay order that had been issued. ÂÂÂ
Just to keep the record straight, let me first say what this story is NOT about. This is not, yet, a story about whether Basant is ‘Islamic’ or not (as if kites have religion!). At least, it is not about that YET. I have a feeling that it soon will be.
Just to keep the record straight: this is NOT about religion (as if kites have religion!). At least, it is not about that YET. I have a feeling that it soon will be.
I use the picture above (originally from Zakintosh’s currently dormant blog), partly because I find it both silly and funny, but also because it reminds me to point out that the Supreme Court that has just questioned the Punjab government on why it is going ahead with Basant plans despite its (the Supreme Court’s) orders is currently lead by Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas, a Hindu (see picture on left). The layers of meaning – most of them uncalled for, and unimportant – that can and will be derived from this are legion.
Just to keep the record straight, this is not about religion (as if kites have religion!). At least, it is not about that YET. I have a feeling that it soon will be. I use the picture above (originally from ), partly because I find it both silly and funny, but also because it reminds me to point out that (see picture on left). The layers of meaning – most of them uncalled for, and unimportant – that can and will be derived from this are legion.
The story, at the moment, is about safety. Personally, I think that is a much more important story. Last week, according to the Daily Times, the Punjab government decided “to give legal authority to a registered body of kite manufacturers and traders to ensure safe kite-flying.” It was further reported that:
The body will have a constitution and self-defined regulations and will be legally authorised by the provincial government to issue licences to the kite and string manufacturers and vendors. The body will determine the rules relating the types and sharpness of string and the size of kites. The body will be held responsible for violations of its rules. There is a proposal to fine it if it fails to identify and stop the violators.
A BBC story (January 5) explained the context of the decision:
The Supreme Court outlawed the sport in 2005 after several people were killed by glass-coated or metal kite strings. Basant, which begins on 25 February, is popular with tourists but religious leaders say kite-flying is un-Islamic. Metal or glass-coated strings help cut the strings of rival kites – the main objective of the sport. But they can catch unsuspecting bikers across the throat, at times with fatal consequences. Metal string can also cause short-circuits in overhead power cables, leading to heavy losses for electricity utilities.
It is in this context that the Supreme Court has now intervened. According to The News (6 January):
The Supreme Court (SC) has taken strong exception to the Punjab government’s announcement about allowing kite flying and Basant festival celebration, citing it as a violation of the court’s directives. The SC on Friday served notices on the Punjab chief secretary and the advocate-general, directing them to appear in the court on January 22 to explain the Punjab government’s position in this regard. The full bench of the Supreme Court, comprising acting Chief Justice Rana Bahgwandas, Justice Saiyed Saeed Ashhad and Justice Hamid Ali Mirza in Karachi issued the orders on the reports of the Punjab government’s decision of granting arbitrary permission to flying of kites. “The decision of the Punjab government appears to be violative of the court direction,â€Â? rules the order of Justice Rana Bhagwandas… The Supreme Court had banned the making, selling and buying and flying of kites across the country…. The Punjab government, however, held a Basant festival last year in the name of Jashn-e-Baharan after seeking due relaxation from the Supreme Court. The apex court had granted 15-day relief period for kite flying starting on February 25, 2006, that was to expire on March 10. The Punjab government, however, had sought extension for another five days that the Supreme Court had granted.
Of course, this is not likely to be a major conflict between the court and the Provincial government. Accoridng to The News:
A spokesman of Punjab government, while clarifying the news item appearing in the national press regarding celebration of Basant in Lahore, said in a press release that that the ban on kite flying will remain intact and the government has allowed celebration of this festival only on the night of 24th February and the day of 25th February, 2007. The spokesman stated that Supreme Court will also be consulted in order to adopt a strategy regarding Basant and all measures would be taken in the light of Supreme Court’s decision and instructions issued in this regard.
The Province will probably argue that it has thought through new rules which will make the festival safe. The BBC report suggests what the Punjab case might be:
Officials said the regulations, announced by the government on Thursday, would be presented before the Supreme Court for approval. Under the new proposals: metal-reinforced and glass-coated strings are banned; only cotton strings up to a certain thickness are allowed; kites larger than 2×2 feet, that require a thicker string, are prohibited; kite strings can only be coated with wheat-flour glue, dye and soft, finely-ground glass. In an attempt to regulate kite-making and kite-flying, the government says it will issue licences to retailers selling kites and strings, and only those dealers and manufacturers who are members of a single association registered under the Companies Act would qualify.
My own prediction on this is that the safety related story will soon fizzle out, and a religion based argument will again ensue. This, I think, is unfortunate because safety is a very real and pressing concern.
Personally, I like the idea of Basant but have never liked the festival itself. This is largely because I actually saw a little kid killed right in front of me one depressing Basant in the mid-1980s. That image is forever imprinted on my mind.
The solution, however, is not to ban the festival. It is, instead, to take real and meaningful steps to make it fun but safe. Some of the steps suggested above could be good. But one wonders about the likelihood of implementation. This business about giving licenses to kite and string sellers will, most probably jack up the price for over the counter sales while creating a new – and possibly more dangerous – black market for ‘bootleg’ kites and string. However, the idea of a citizen’s committee – if it could truly be a citizen’s committee – to oversee things is a good one and just might enforce things in ways that the official custodians of regulations possibly cannot.
@MU
well it depends on how u define fun, every one has a different idea about it. It can range from group sex to group prayers. Depends on which side of the spectrum u fall to.
And as for your question of what fun things are in Islam, there are just so many, but as i said, its for those on one half of the spectrum, not for all.
There is Namaz, (meditation of both mind and body) Eid, Ramazan, Umrah and Hajj to name a few. My personal fav is Umrah during Ramazan. Its just fascinating being there in Haram among the Muslim Ummah. All united and there is this air of freshness and hope all around. And ofcourse Dua’e Qunoot at Taraveeh Prayers by Qari Sudais: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV9l3GmL-w8
In Islam, all constructive and creative sports (those which improves one’s abilities of intellect, power, stealth, combat, etc) are infact encouraged. Infact even watching others play is also allowed. I read it at http://www.islamonline.net that even the wife of the Prophet (PBUH) used to watch matches but covered behind the Prophet (PBUH). And sports like cricket, football, volleyball are played in quite a few madrassahs in Pakistan. So dont try to know them all!
I ‘guess’ flying kites as a sport should NOT be banned on religious grounds.but shuold b if it is not practiced in a safe way.
As for basant, such festivals do not suit a country like Pakistan in which the poor are deprived and are openly realized of their deprivations by mass fashion exhibits of material possessions. Kites ain’t cheap for the poor guy and how Basant is taken up these days, a kite flyer either is left behind or deprives his family from their next meal. This is also the case for other sports but kite flying is quite personal during basant, the whole society is upto it. its difficult to miss it when its in one’s neighborhood and social circles.
In short, safe kite sports yes, show-offs and exhibits no!
But MU also has a point in a way, if we dont provide good healthy entertainment and fun, sports, etc to the public, frustration prevails. Infact, in Africa, esp. Nigeria, football was taken up to eradicate the production of terrorists among both the christians and the muslims there. It worked quite productive, the deadly masacres which should left an ever lasting effect of hatred is not that apparent anymore there. Infact, Nigeria is one of the best football teams in Africa, if not the best. They also won the Olympics beating teams like Germany, Brazil and Argentina in 96 if i remember correctly.
“BASANT PAALA URRANT ”
That was the common theme to indicate the onset of Spring. The flowers start coming out. Green and Yellow (Basant-i)Mustard plants lavished the fields and nice breezes would blow to lift the spirits and the Kites to the skies. Basanti is the nature’s colour for Spring when the Yellow Mustard (and other seasonal)flowers adorn the overwhelming Lush green stems and plants. If some see a hindu in yellow, then I should be seeing a lot of muslims in green. How silly to fight over God’s created colours.
Lahore knows how to welcome spring.
For the elite on its Lawns and for the commoners on the airwaves, Radio Pakistan would organize its Jashn-i-Baharaan, at one such Jashn RESHMA was introduced to us and the world – and what a gift.
Lahore also had its kite-flying – Patang-Baazi, and we as youngsters in the pre-indepence days fully participated and thoroughly enjoyed it in the old city, alongwith the few hindus (LAHORE WAS THE MUSLIM MAJORITY PLACE – in case some don’t know).
Then came in very recent years, those who started organizing a big TAMASHAA on their Havelis and the roof-tops and soon to follow the 5-star Hotels. That is when the Hoopla started alongwith the Killer-cut-throat Manjha and the Electrocuting metal string. The singers and the dancers and the loudspeakers galore. Those in business seized the opportunities to make big bucks and they did.
For some it was a lot of fun. For others fun was a sin.
The centuries old, innocent event welcoming the change of weather to Spring has been made into a mess.
In many parts of the world and for example in neighbouring Afghanistan and Iran, Nauroze welcoming Spring is the start of their national Calendar, celebrated with great fanfare.
Perhaps the way out is going back to the innocent days of Lahore’s Patang Baazi and celebrating BASANT PAALA URRANT.
INDEED the road to hell was paved with good intentions.
As long as Coca-Cola is minting money out of it, there is no way there will not be Basant in Lahore. They shall just call it Jashan-e-Bahaaran.
:p
I agree that Basant has now become more of a tamasha than anything. I do not like bans, certainly not for religion. But I no longer enjoy basant in Lahore. Its become loud and irrelevant. very little kite flying, lots of shootings, lots of eating, showing off clothes, and just partying. It now showcases the worst of lahore culture, not the best.
 But certainly please no bans.
Also I like the idea of organizing actual kite flying contents in parks. Will also revive parks.
Pakistan is surely an entertainment starved country. There is nothing to do besides eating out. There are no arts and cultural related activities; almost everything related to fun is seen as suspicion by conservative communities. But it never stopped people from having fun and creating outlets to vent. Recently I heard Illegal street racing among few privileged is getting popular. We all know these kinds of unsupervised activities have its price but can we blame the people? In my view if Lahori love to celebrate Basant then let them be and use it to attract tourist from other parts of the country. Law enforcement should keep an eye on kite sellers and ban of dangerous stuff sale should be placed. Violators should be fined heavily, I know still there would still be a chance of accident but if there are consequences then very few will take that chance.