Did anyone catch ‘views on news’ or something like that on ARY last night?
They were focusing on some detestable custom by the name of Swaaraa(hope I got the name right). According to this custom if a man of one tribe kills a man of another tribe to settle the dispute and save the murderers life, a girl from the murderer’s tribe is handed over to the victims closest relative. If the perpetrator has daughters himself they are handed over if not they move on to neices, relatives and so on. The daughters are not married off to these men but just given like that. Needless to say they are treated horribly by the recipients since they are there due to the murder of one of the host’s family members.
They shot a documentary in some place called daadu khel I believe. The ‘jirga’ makes the decision and the family of the victim is taken to the murderes house so they can choose which girl they want. If the victims family is influential they can demand two girls aswell and the guilty party cannot deny them. If two girls are demanded one is usually an adult and one a minor. Sometimes the guilty party can ask for an extension for minors and wait till they are a little older before they hand them over. They showed fathers walking there daughters over to the other tribe. Interviewing one of the girls mothers, she told how reluctant she was to hand over her daughter and her husband made her let go literally at gun point. When she suggested that the give their land instead they husband said they would lose their property that way so giving up the daughter was the only way to get off the hook. The people of the area refer to it as the most peaceful way to resolve a dispute involving murder. The commentator also told how often times these girls are provided to the servants of the plaintiffs to bring maximum humiliation to the killer.
First of all I thanked Allah that I was not born in some ignorant and backward tribe where such disgusting customs are practised.
What kind of fathers are these who hand away their daughters to be abused, molested, mistreated and dishonored by other men to save their own lives? I believe this is the highest form of ‘beghairati’, selfishness and cowardice. How can you possible live your life knowing that an innocent soul suffers every breath of her life for your sins? What sort of people accept someones daughter to abuse and wrong? What makes customs so important for these people that religion takes a backseat? It is after all about men, their unjust dominance and their egos.
Although it was a documentary I would think this would be better posted in Culture as it's not really about entertainment but some backward custom.
I've never heard of it but these people have a warped sense of justice if they would let a murderer go free on account of getting an innocent girl in return. A fat lot of good martial law is if these peasants are making up laws ad hoc.
Its very disturbing to see these aged, apparently pious men with white beards and tasbeehs in their hands, zealously telling how it is right to mistreat the girls they get in lieu of their sons/brothers/fathers murder. Girls as little as 6 years old handed over by their fathers to men over 60 years old is just disgusting and heart wrenching.
I believe Musharraf personally got involved in that case and ordered that action be taken against all the elders of the village. That I believe was done.
I saw this mini documentary on king doc shahid’s viewsonnews programme and I was literally disgusted @ the particular villagers who take a liking to the swara custom in Khyber agency {shahid afridi’s birthplace}.
the jirga is made up of old fools who think they r judging @ the world court ]
Gen sahab and the parliament need to seriously stop fighting everyday and banging the tables in the house of parliament and for once focus on the reality in Pakistan, which is sickening to say the least.
The so-called customs of kaari, swara et cetera need to be looked at in gr8 detail and strict action needs to be taken against those who feel its thier right to practise it.
if these changes can be brought forward and the backward ppl in certain area’s of azad Kashmir and Pakistan can accept them then only we can begin to change warna we pakis as a WHOLE will always be considered backward cos’ of a handful ppl’s idiotic behaviour and rasm-o-rivaag.
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*Originally posted by Arvind: *
I believe Musharraf personally got involved in that case and ordered that action be taken against all the elders of the village. That I believe was done.
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what u r referring to wasn't this case but was a case in the north west frontier province, where a women eloped with her aashik and according to the customs in nwfp the jirga would have had her killed or some ik' on these lines but gen mushy gave the lovers' a safe haven some where in karachi blah blah blah...
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*Originally posted by Faisal: *
So they have these "punishments" for those who murder other people. Does it curtail crime? Are murders down in those areas?
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One would hope that atleast men refrain from murdering someone in a burst of anger knowing well what the consequences would be. But it didn't appear from the documentary. The women seemed tired of the custom ,esp the ones who had been subjected to the custom. They didn't have to think twice before saying out how they had been wronged and made to suffer for someone else's fault. The men seemed too busy justifying the custom and the treatment they would give to a woman who had been a victim of this custom.
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*Originally posted by Mr Xtreme: *
Although it was a documentary I would think this would be better posted in Culture as it's not really about entertainment but some backward custom.
I've never heard of it but these people have a warped sense of justice if they would let a murderer go free on account of getting an innocent girl in return. A fat lot of good martial law is if these peasants are making up laws ad hoc.
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man why do you have to be like this all the time? ...it's my culture not yours...and at least have respect for other cultures...
This custom is not just limited to one specific area of Pakistan, its practiced in 'lighter' forms in villages in Punjab as well. Reminds me of an incident we still laugh at - We went back home for my sisters wedding and this elder man came to ask for rishta, which is pretty common, but instead of stopping at the proposal for his son, he went on and told Ammi that 'Rishta tau aap ko dena hi paRe ga, kioN ke' and something about our family shooting one of his sons. One of Ammis cousins was accused for having shot his son. What Ammi told him is not writeable :o. Ppl do still take the easy way out and accept such proposals as well, that is if one of the family has strong background.
FF, daughters are used for a lot of purposes, to secure your land is also pretty common. Getting back at someone by marrying into the family is still in, etc.
Jirga system is pretty interesting as well, ppl don't have anything better to do, so they come up with one extreme law after the other, and people around them back 'em up as it shows strength, regardless of the stupidity involved. Seeing jirga in action is an experience, kalma paRh ke jhoot bolte haiN :) its all about sick ego and power show. One can't really talk to them, only working formula is to use their own medicine on them.
Some one mentioned government in this thread - Mostly these crimes are not reported, there are no witnesses, therefore Musharaf or any other government can't really do much. They could make life miserable for these ppl through other means, nullify jig's authority and maybe more pal would dare speak up.
man why do you have to be like this all the time? ...it's my culture not yours...and at least have respect for other cultures...
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Do you honestly think this part of ur culture deserves any respect at all? Sickening and horrifying.
Sabah not that it is justified but atleast they were asking for your sisters hand in marraige. These people just hand them over without any nikkah whatsoever.
[QUOTE] Originally posted by Femme Fatale: *
The people of the area refer to it as the most* peaceful** way to resolve a dispute involving murder.
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I am sorry but I could stop laughing at this peaceful resolution. It is quite obvious that the whole thing looks quite peaceful from a tribal man’s point of view. I’m not sure how anyone can change their mindset. The lawlessness in Pakistan is just pathetic.
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