WITH all due apologies the title seems quite appropriate in terms of our current plight. It all started a fortnight ago. A small procession, comprising a couple of hundred religiously aggrieved people decided to march to the capital city, from Lahore, to register their protest. Here, one is sure, that all true Lahoris would express their profound regrets for unleashing this nightmare on the twin cities. This was not a spontaneous movement that the authorities would be caught offguard. They had plenty of opportunities to restrain them at their convenience. Keeping from the usualfarsightedness,the procession was not only allowed to reach its destination but become firmly entrenched on the Islamabad Expressway at Faizabad intersection: a critical highway connecting the GTRoad to Rawalpindi and Islamabad and one of the main arteries connecting the two cities.

Having encamped at their destination, they managed to disrupt the lives of millions of residents of both cities: commuters going to work, children to their schools, patients to hospitals and those wishing to travel between the cities. It was evident from the start that they had planned for the long haul. Stones, weapons and petrol bombs were stored and barricades put up. Tents for the protesters and catered food supplies were readily and mysteriously available. Their speeches, which were liberally available on the social media, consisted of much venom, obscenity and factual inaccuracy.

Having to travel to Islamabad last week the prevailing opinionseemed to be that the establishment was behind the entire thing. While this can be debated, if true, it would seem to be incomplete contradiction to the current strategic objectives, especially in light of the National Action Plan (NAP). A converse opinion is that the government isencouraging the entire thing.

This may be partially true since the religious right comprises a signincantpartoftherulingparty`s vote bank. The introduction of religion as a political and policy tool has only led to further fueling bigotry and polarising society. Whoever the mastermind, the situation has created a dangerous precedent which will only serve to weaken any democratic set-up. The induction of distorted religious agendas in politics has created a volatile and explosive mix.

Things came to a head following Thanksgiving and Black Friday. Our version was markedly different, there was little thankfulness and entirely discounted attempts at a peaceful resolution. Apparently the protesters, emboldened by the government`s weakness, decided to take on the securityforces. Thisfinally led to the government, after numerous judicial rejoinders, to launch an operation on early Saturday morning. The results were not as expected.

After early success in managing to disperse the crowd, the government faced reversals. Six people were killed, hundreds injured and as many of demonstrators taken into custody. After initial setbacks, the protesters managed to regain their ground.

There was a countrywide bacl
The entire thing culminated in the government calling in the army: further eroding its already faltering writ.

In our tradition, even remov-ing a small obstacle like a stone, for the benefit of travelers, is considered a religious virtue. Yet, it seems we are going down a `path` where pelting fellow travelers with stones is becoming the norm. We are slowly but gradually being herded in a direction far removed from the principles envisioned by our founders.

Perhaps the vast majority does not subscribe to these extreme views, or remains fearful of the violent character of the minority. Whatever the reason, they choose to remain penned and silent like lambs. Despite the danger they have to be cognizant of another famous expression about lambs leading them to slaughter. If this continues, this may be our fate collectively and individually in the long run.-AM Lahori (AmLahori@gmail.com)