We, the suffering grass

‘Oh no Maryam, my prayers went unanswered.’ I said picking the Sunday newspaper lying on her centre table and reading the lead headline. ‘This is the one thing I feared would happen and I prayed fervently against it but look…’ I handed the paper to her, pointing at the cover headline. ‘Yes, I saw it […]

‘Oh no Maryam, my prayers went unanswered.’ I said picking the Sunday newspaper lying on her centre table and reading the lead headline. ‘This is the one thing I feared would happen and I prayed fervently against it but look…’ I handed the paper to her, pointing at the cover headline.

‘Yes, I saw it this morning after Ibrahim had finished with the newspaper and gone out. It’s unfortunate that just when we thought the matter was dying down, the Governor should choose to respond to the Emir’s comments. This will surely drag the matter further, since the Emir’s supporters will certainly respond to the Governor’s criticism. And then someone will defend the governor and it will continue to be a vicious cycle of verbal attacks.’ Maryam lamented. 

‘What a pity. As if we don’t have enough problems in this part of the country, our leaders have to start picking on each other.’ I observed, dejectedly.

‘It’s all the Emir’s fault if you ask me. Why should he criticise the Governor so harshly and expect to get away with it? You know, it’s as they say in one of the Holy Scriptures, “Only he who is without sin should cast the first stone.” But without weighing what might follow, the Emir threw the first stone and as a result see what the Governor is saying.’ Maryam opined.

‘Yes, but this doesn’t mean that what the Governor said is true or what the Emir did was wrong, don’t be too hasty in apportioning blames Maryam. It just proves that some people can’t take criticisms lightly, no matter how well-intentioned.’ I argued. 

‘Now look who is apportioning blames. You have just accused the Governor of not taking criticism

lightly. But what you should know is that he was left with no choice because he was attacked publicly. To a politician, or any other leader for that matter, public criticism cannot be ignored. It will be suicidal to do so because it’s all about his image. The Emir should have called him privately and corrected his wrong interpretation of the cause of the plague. But he chose to use a public forum and delivered it in the form of criticism, not advice. So you can’t blame the Governor for choosing to hit back.’ Maryam countered.

‘And what have we all gained by this very public washing of their dirty linen? Nothing. The ordinary Northerner has gained nothing from their unnecessary quarrel and ego-tripping. Indeed apart from the pain of knowing that our two leaders have all these moral and spiritual flaws, we have gained nothing else. It’s just like the saying goes, when two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers. Both His Royal Highness and His Excellency might have scored some points against each other by their disagreement but we, the suffering grass of subjects and citizens are the ones who really paid for it.’ I insisted.

‘Yes, you are right Bint. My only hope is that the two personalities involved have learnt the lessons of this unfortunate incident. As for His Excellency, I hope he has learnt that he cannot crown himself Grand Mufti overnight and start issuing emergency fatwas that say every epidemic is the result of sin, not the selfishness and cluelessness of leaders. Because if this were a real punishment from Almighty God, He would surely have sent something that will also afflict the rich and powerful in our society, since they are the biggest sinners around.

As for His Royal Highness, I hope he has learnt that when he attacks VIPs in public they will hit back too. And they will hit back with any weapon in their arsenal. Today we’ve heard all about those big cars and other items of luxury that he owns, when a farsighted investment would have been for him to spend any excess wealth on the teeming masses who are his subjects.’ Maryam declared.

‘That’s true Maryam. I certainly hope we never live to see any more distressing shows from our leaders again. This one we suffered is bad enough.’ I concurred.