Mirpuri ignorance

Today the Independent reports a depressing story of how a young bride, from Palak, Mirpur, was tortured to death by her British husband for, among other things, failing in her domestic duties. Palak is in fact within the Dadyal district, from which I also hail. So it’s a story that interests me.

As I read the Independent report, it became clear that the case bears all the hallmarks of ignorance and hypocrisy that blight our community and which I have discussed in previous blogs. There appears to be the hypocrisy and arrogance of a westernised family failing to understand and support a girl whose life had hitherto been spent in a village. As I have said on previous occasions, a little humility is in order from British Mirpuris. Then the there is the ignorance and philistinism of seeking the advice of a ‘holy man', who diagnosed 'problems' by looking at an item of the girl's clothing.

The horror of the case speaks for itself. I just want to say a word about relying on 'holy men'. This practice is common throughout South Asia for dealing with emotional and mental problems. Clearly cultivating spirituality has a role to play in helping to deal with these sorts of problems. However, in recent years things have gone too far- the spiritual element is in fact completely lacking, as money, power and fame take over and as the 'holy men' increasingly intrude into territory that should be the domain of professionals.

A number of satellite channels now invite these 'holy men', who you can call using a premium number. In one programme, a practice similar to the one described in the Independent story takes place. The 'holy man' asks the caller to measure an item of clothing of the person with a 'problem'. Then he recites something and blows at the camera. The caller is again asked to measure the item of clothing- a different diagnosis is offered depending on whether the item has shrunk or increased in size. Of course nothing of the sort has happened; but if you measure something in haste over the phone, using your fingers, you are bound to get different 'measurements' each time.

The point, however, is that rather than offering spiritual reassurance, these 'holy men' are offering diagnosis. That is clearly a wrong turn; in fact one that should possibly be investigated. Reliance on quacks means genuine diagnosis, and hence proper treatment, is delayed.