Hatred against US finds expression on toilet walls

[Naveed Yaseen]

by Faisal Kamal Pasha
The inside walls of almost all public toilets -- be they located within the premises of mosques, universities, government and private institutions, bus stands or airports -- are infested with comments and expressions revealing the psyche of our nation.

It is quite aptly said that after bread, clothing and shelter, freedom of expression is the most fundamental need of a human being. All mortals are blessed with a mind, which acts as a storehouse of ideas, beliefs and perceptions; and eyes, which enable them to see this world from a particular angle. They are naturally inclined to express their feelings; tell the world what is brewing inside them; and communicate their views about the surroundings. They may also want to protest against some injustice or demand a right that is denied to them. In short, who doesn't want freedom of expression?

A major chunk of Pakistan's history is marked with military rule, where dictators have thrived on repression, and imposition of restrictions on media and freedom of expression. Anything said or written against the government is dubbed 'anti-state' while those behind the act are christened 'traitors' and treated accordingly.

Graffiti on toilet walls is a form of expression that is often taken for granted. Most of the comments inscribed are political, religious or anti-establishment. As such, they can, at best, be described as a catharsis of angry minds. There are, in our midst, a multitude of people who want to vent their ire and hatred against the government, and find toilets as the safest place to do so. In Hyde Park, one can speak about anything under the sun. The same can be said of our public toilets where one can enjoy the freedom of expressing oneself in any manner one pleases. The message may be humorous, filthy, political, outrageous or even abusive -- no one will stop you from giving vent to your feelings. No one will dub you a traitor and send you behind the bars. This is one place where you enjoy unfettered freedom of expression.

"What wrong Taliban did in putting an effort for implementing Islamic system in the country," reads a comment written on a wall inside Allama Iqbal Open University. The sympathy that the questioner has expressed for the Taliban, finds a response in another comment underneath that states: "Islam is not what Taliban were trying to impose."

"Women who do not dress properly would be burnt inside hell," states a message written inside the public toilet of a mosque.

Over the years, most Pakistanis have developed hatred for the United States and its president, George W. Bush, for their anti-Islamic policies and forced occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan. Small wonder then that a majority of the walls of public toilets are inscribed with comments that betray anti-US and anti-Bush sentiments such as 'Yeh Bush Ka Ghar Hai' (This is Bush's House), 'Down with America,' 'Down with Israel' and so on. Some of the comments and inscriptions against the US and President Bush are too filthy to be quoted.

A survey of toilets also revealed that many Pakistanis consider former president Pervez Musharraf 'a traitor.' He too is the prime subject of angry comments in which he is remembered with harsh words.

Some of the writings inside a toilet convey messages with a tinge of humour, such as 'Yeh PCO Judges Ka Ghar Hai' (This is the House of PCO Judges). This is someone's way of expressing solidarity with the deposed chief justice.

Most of the comments written on the walls of public toilets within universities are an expression of students' anger against the administration or university officials. Some of the writings are humorous while others are outrageous and not worthy of being reproduced.

It is said that in ancient times, people who were ruled by tyrants would go to a jungle and reveal everything inside their bosom to the silent tree. There is a folklore that suggests that when you don't find anyone to listen to you, put your mouth inside an empty pitcher and say it all. Expressing one's feelings inside public toilets is perhaps a way of perpetuating this lore. Whatever the case, messages inscribed on the walls of public toilets make a very interesting study indeed.

With the emergence of a democratic government in Pakistan, one hopes that the people of this country would not be denied the freedom to speak their minds; and that the government would be tolerant enough to bear the truth. Perhaps then we might see a decline in the trend of expressing oneself on toilet walls.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=136759