Imran Khan versus Saad Rafique: In defence of Sheru

Instead of depicting Sheru as a “na-pak” entity, our Parliamentarians should take a look at their own double standards

Dr Talat Farooq September 19, 2014
While surfing the net I stumbled on Saad Rafique’s harangue in the Parliament, berating Imran Khan for owning a dog called Sheru.  He seemed rather upset at the animal’s domestic privileges and rebuked Imran for allowing Sheru to sit on a drawing room sofa while showering heaps of affection on him. In his tirade against his political opponent, Rafique emphasised how keeping dogs and being affectionate towards them is against our cultural/religious values.

Now, I happen to be a staunch supporter of animal rights, with a special place in my heart for dogs. Hence, I do not take kindly to arrogant human beings directing their derogatory rhetoric at these loyal creatures just because Sheru cannot answer back in his defence.

If Sheru could answer back, however, this is what he would tell Saad Rafique:

The Quran mentions the dog twice; once, while indicating the usefulness of hunting dogs that retrieve the prey for humans to cook and eat and second, as the steadfast companion of Ashab-e-Kahf. Both examples are positive and a testament to the dog’s loyalty.

Pleading his case further, Sheru would argue that Sufi literature speaks highly of his brethren. Baba Bulleh Shah, for example, admonishes humans for being unmindful of God’s many blessings, unlike dogs who are grateful to their master even in adversity, who never abandon their posts and never give up their duty as guard-dogs, even when they are not fed sumptuous food. Their love is unconditional and a model for those wishing to attain spiritual growth. Bulleh Shah goes to the extent of urging himself thus:
Bulleh Shah uth yar mana ley

 Nahin tey baazi lay gaye kuttey, tain thee uttey

(Oh Bulleh Shah do not be lax in striving in the way of God or else dogs will attain

a higher spiritual station in the eyes of the Lord and will be placed above you).

Sheru might, with all due respect, take Bulleh Shah’s comparison a step further and apply it to the political opportunists who are loyal to their masters as long as they are well-fed. Expanding his premise, he would argue that dogs do not bite the hand that feeds them unlike those who are given political power by the people but who in turn abuse their benefactors.

After arguing his case in philosophical terms, Sheru, the dog, would then turn to ground realities. He would, in all humility, inform Saad Rafique, the loyal buddy of the self-proclaimed Khadim-e-A’alaa, that his species is actively involved in quietly serving humanity by assisting the physically challenged, visually impaired and the elderly with limited mobility.

He would proudly remind him how dogs are contributing every day to human welfare by helping law enforcement agencies in tracking criminals and drug traffickers and locating accident victims who are unable to move. Can Saad Rafique, Sheru might ask, enlighten us with some of his welfare initiatives for the miserable millions?

He would politely ask him to watch a documentary on the dogs that died while saving lives during the Vietnam War by shielding soldiers from enemy fire. Sheru might even dare to inquire with just a hint of sarcasm,
“If push comes to shove would you do that for your master, sir?”

And last but not least Sheru would recite Faiz Ahmed Faiz’s brilliant poem entitled Kuttay in which the poet has employed the street dog metaphor to highlight the plight of the “mazloom makhlooq’’ – the marginalised and the alienated. In this poem is a warning for the wealthy and the powerful who in their smugness believe that their pride will somehow survive their fall. Beware Saad Rafique:
Yeh chahain tou dunya ko apna bana lain

Yeh aaqa’on ki hadiaan tak chabba lain

(Street dogs have the capacity to take over the world.

If they were to use their God-given sharp teeth to stay the hand of their apparently powerful handlers they could crush every bone in their body.)

Well then, it looks like the ordinary people in D-Chowk are raising their voices to highlight the plight of the “mazloom makhlooq” condemned to live like animals. One can choose to disagree with their method but not with their message and this is what is eating the likes of Saad Rafique. No sir, this will not do. You ought not to humiliate God’s creatures, whether two-legged or walking on all fours.

Instead of depicting poor Sheru as a “na-pak” entity, and by extension cast aspersion on Imran’s religious credentials, our Parliamentarians would do well to take a good look at their own double standards and self-serving attitude, otherwise Bulleh Shah will be forced to call out from the grave,
 Baazi lay gaye kuttey, tain thee uttey.
WRITTEN BY:
Dr Talat Farooq A research fellow at the Institute for Conflict, Cooperation and Security, Birmingham University. She tweets at @rumiwali
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (12)

Sherdil | 9 years ago | Reply Absolutely fantastic article - love it!
Hassan | 9 years ago | Reply I wish I was IK's speech writer as I would hand him a very damning speech to deliver at the dharna in reply to Saad Rafique's shallow and mindless comments in the NA. Let me inform Mr Rafique that if he makes such unilaterally applicable comments then we have no option but to apply those comments to other politicians in Pakistan. So, as it stands Mr Rafique represents the original Pakistan Muslim League. The same party that created Pakistan and was headed by Mr Mohammad Ali Jinnah. Unfortunately for Mr Rafique, his ideal Mr M A Jinnah, the man who created the country where he lives and vows to be so loyal to and the man who gave this country the Pakistan Muslim League upon which Mr Rafique has so much pride was maybe a greater lover of dogs than Imran Khan. You just need to google pics of Quaid e Azam with his dogs and you will see he has his arms wrapped round not one but two dog pets. One is a black Doberman and the other is a white west highland terrior. Now according to Saad Rafique being affectionate to dogs is so western and un Pakistani and un-Islamic. Maybe the honourable member would like to highlight his thoughts on Quaid e Azam and his two pet dogs....... and what he would like to say about that !!!!
Henna Khan | 9 years ago Imran Khan was asked by a reporter regarding Saad Rafique's comments, he looked really upset and just said that Sheru was a very loyal dog and that the poor thing had died. I think he didn't consider Said Rafique worthy of replying on behalf of Sheru, to IK Sheru might mean a lot more than dragging him in a baseless argument...
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