Political Rallies Becoming Arenas For Insulting Humans & Violating Animal Rights

Kamran Ali

Peshawar: ‘Shadu and Melo’, these words have been heard a lot recently by every resident of Charsadda district and then by almost every Pakistani through the media. Both are names of animals in Pashto language. ‘Shado’ means monkey and ‘Melo’ means bear.

Apparently, these two words are used not for animals in real sense but by the heads of two political parties for each other.

Although only some of the animal metaphors are highly offensive, most appear to be somewhat negative in their connotations.

For example, ‘Shadu’ or monkey is used for an ugly or hasty or jumpy person, and ‘Melo’ or bear is used for a large or lazy person.

University of Peshawar Assistant Professor of Zoology Dr Zagham Hasan believes that calling humans by animal names is not insulting or a violation of the rights of animals, but this practice is dangerous for animals because common people have negative feelings about the names. With use, they not only hate these animals; but as a result of this hatred, they also think of harming this animal.

Dr Zaigham says that although all species have equal status; but in our society, human beings are considered as “Ashraf Al-Mukhaluqat”, so calling a human being an animal is insulting.

Animal rights organization ‘People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ (PETA) argues that words can create a more inclusive world or perpetuate oppression, and that calling someone an animal reinforces the narrative that humans are superior to animals. That is why the violation of animal rights is justified because animals are humiliated by referring to the negative traits of humans, which is cruelty and injustice to animals. Therefore, the language of supremacy should be rejected.

PETA believes that “racist language is not only wrong but also harmful”.

University of Melbourne in Australia Professor of Psychology Nick Haslamwrote in his research article that many animal metaphors are simply aggressive rather than representing a specific trait. Calling someone a pig, rat, monkey or dog is insulting, emotional and moral accusation.

Professor Nick, based on his research, says that some animal metaphors are highly objectionable because the comparison itself is inhumane and the use of animal similes implies that the people are literally cruel or inhumane.

Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl KP spokesperson Abdul Jalil is of the opinion that in the past, leaders like Abdul Ghaffar Khan, Mufti Mahmood and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto never resorted to abusive words against their opponents despite severe political differences. But now the use of abusive and inappropriate words is increasingly in today’s politics, which is not a sign of a civilized society and calling someone by the name of an animal is not permissible in any case.

Awami National Party KP spokesperson Samar Bilor says that a leader is a torchbearer and when a leader uses wrong language to spoil the names of people, it will deteriorate the educational training of the youth which is dangerous for the future.

PETA Dr Zaigham and leaders of political parties have demanded that animal names should not be used as derogatory words.

Translated & edited by Wraa Noor Haider