Scientific temperament of super religious politicians

Written by Sarfaraz 
The writer is Secretary of SAMAR Charitable Trust and Founder of SAMAR

In my school days … I would visit an amateur mathematics teacher to hone my skills of tricky calculations of mathematics. He was good at mathematics as well as full of wit and humor and surely in leisure time we would discuss some political jokes too, of which I was very much fond of. One fine evening he told me an unauthenticated story about General Zia ul Haq – the military ruler of Pakistan. As I remember, he narrated an anecdote in which General's understanding of Science and Scientific theories was clearly depicted. General Zia passed a law which compelled the educationists to bring some bizarre changes in scientific theories. The theories which were taken under consideration by the government are usually taught in middle schools. One of the theories propounded by Sir Issac Newton about gravitational pull was vehemently altered to impress the ubiquitous omnipresent Almighty who has not only created the Universe but also Newton and his theories. The theory after alteration became as following ---

"If you throw a stone in the sky, due to gravitational force of the Earth, Insha Allah it will fall down on Earth."

(Read Insha Allah - If God wills - in bold letters and loud voice.

When I narrated this hilarious story to my fellow students, I found them laughing profusely. Perhaps they understood the hidden witty hues of storyteller.

General Zia shaped the idea of Islamized modern Pakistan. He controlled not only the polity of the nation but also intellectual beliefs of its citizens. The effect (could be read damage also) of Zia regime on Pakistan was quasi permanent. Pakistan is still reeling through remnants of that  era. Perhaps building and rebuilding of this wounded nation will continue for many decades.

It was propounded by famous philosopher Thomas Carlyle in his Great Man Theory – a time comes in history of a nation when a great man takes rein in his hand and leads the nation to path of his choice. His towering figure becomes the harbinger of the nation. Although I am not supporter of the Great Man Theory but I can say it envisages the change of fate of Pakistan in 1980s. "Such Great Men" have ruled various parts of political world at various times but I can't say that they have made the time of their nation; rather I would say the time has built their fate also.

Right now in India, such super religious political morons are in the driving seat. Sometimes they bring out idea of Plastic surgery from the shambles of ancient Indian past, and sometimes they throw light on Physics and Chemistry through prism of religious mucks. No doubt, it can't be discarded that  one day the Lord Ram will be provided a niche in the realms of Newton & Rene de Cartes. Either the Lord will take the pie (of mathematical axioms) in his fingers and put it in their mouth after casting a pious spell or else these scientific luminaries will come down on their knees and beg to the Lord to give some scientific sermons to be incorporated in NCERT textbooks meant for budding science stalwarts. Let it be … the time will show us.

One would be, no doubt attracted towards the antics of these leaders. They surely give us "bunch of thoughts" – to ponder over why such leaders have such ideas about the nation and nation building. My take is that actually their thoughts are not about nation or nation building instead they think about themselves and their own image building. There is a great urge of immortalizing of self. They want to become ' amar' in the history of the nation they ruled. To immortalize oneself a leader has to bring himself near to the God. And the God lives in the clouds of salvation – salvation of common men & women. The man who can breach these clouds of salvation must have some God particles in his character- mere a political leader can't do this. Political leaders rule the bodies of people and these they have great say in ideologies and beliefs of common people but they can't provide them ultimate solace – peace or salvation. Thus they can't become immortal in their lifetime.

On the other hand, a leader with some God particles rules the nerves of men & women. When his countrymen close their eyes to relax for a while – they see the face of their leader gleaming in the darkness – that is the immortal being – can't be forgotten by the present subjects and even by their posterities.

All the Zias and Modis have to show some God particles in themselves and the tools to develop such particles lead them to path of such scientific discoveries. Their politics remains half baked so is their science.