Abstract

This study is conducted to discover elements of injustice in contemporary society through the poetry of the Pashtun incredible and legendary poet Ghani Khan. The poetry of Ghani Khan depicts the elements of revolt, injustices, cruelty, and exploitation in his contemporary society. The social injustices, the enslavement of poor and deprived ones have been pointed out in his poetry. This research work is all about social injustice in contemporary society and the violation of human rights. Ghani Khan pass on a solid message in his poem ‘Badshahi’ that Allah is seeing all the creatures that how they are carrying out their obligations. The study prescribed a broader vision of modern society that running after this world is just like chasing after a shadow, you may get nothing. Individuals these days are running after luxuries and worldly wishes. But at the conclusion of the day this control, cash, and extravagances will get to be a revile for them.

Key Words

Injustice, Society, Poems, Rights, Feminism, Discrimination

Introduction

Ghani Khan was born in 1914 in Utmanzai Hashtnaghar in Charsadda Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He was a poet, writer, artist and also Pashtun nationalist, and philosopher. In the 20th century the President of Pakistan, General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haqq, give him the prestigious award of Sitara-i-Imtiaz. He was highly influenced by the western culture and civilization and also highly influenced by his father's political struggle to give freedom to Pashtun society called “Khudai Khidmatgar" (God's Soldiers) but later on, he disagreed with his father's opinion and ideologies because he was against the non-violent resistance argued that this was not good for Pashtun. Ghani Khan's poetry is about mullah, the religious leader whom he called "Mulla Jaan”.one of Ghani Khan'sKhan's famous poemi.e.‘Badshahi’ this poem really represents before us the real image of society and prevailing in justice which is performed in society. Ghani Khan discusses various aspects of society in this poem ‘Badshahi’ where injustice is common phenomenon. Ghani Khan was a keen observer of society and knows the codes conducts of his contemporary society in this poem Badshahi’. Ghani Khan in clear words says I don't like to become emperor because providing equal justice will not be possible therefore I didn’t accept emperorship, Ghani Khan holds great experience regards society's overall doings and in this poem that is Badshahi, he represents his experience that injustice is very much common in Pashtun society (Babar, 2008).

Justice and equity imply reasonable play, uniformity and rights to individuals. Justice is exceptionally fundamental for each society. On the off chance that there's no justice in a nation, there's no peace. In Quran Allah Almighty says “God commands justice and fair dealing.” (Quran 16:90) In this verse Allah Almighty adjured us to render justice in all aspects of life irrespective of the discrimination of rich and poor. Thus, we ought to do justice to everybody. Allah sent Prophet with the assignment to donate equity and justice and keep up peace all over the world conjointly to desist injustice, this is often basic that this explanation covers all issues of life what is off-base and what is right (Islam religion, 2006). The holy Quran is the complete code of life, by understanding and following it, we will be able to do justice to everyone in society. In the event that we want peace in our nation conjointly society

we should, to begin with, begin working for equity. In the event that we don't provide justice, we would not be able to preserve peace. In another verse of the Quran Allah Almighty says: "O you who believe, stand firm for justice even against your own selves” (4:135). We ought to think of almost everybody and donate justice so the society and nation will move towards victory.

Lack of justice in society is an old phenomenon, from ancient societies we come to know the performances of injustice in society. Lack of justice is in many ways, in some societies women are treated very harshly and are not credited with their due rights (Taga, 2009). The conventional codes and conducts are made completely against the wishes of women and the complete society are male overwhelmed. Essential rights are ordinarily not given to many women in numerous social orders which is the foremost common case of the winning shameful acts in society. The right to marry, divorce right, and freedom of life is not given to women, the harsh forms of penalties are there for women in case of a committed crime. Even on minor issues, women are put before death. Divorce is the most important and serious problem of the family. Divorce is the most important and serious problem of the family. Huge injustice is made towards women as the authority of divorce is there with the husband the male-dominated society is really created the hurdle for women and huge injustice is made on minor issues the power of divorce is used by man the dissolution of marriage took place and the women’s future out in danger (Uthman, 2003). One can gage the tall rate of bad form in society by its rising destitution level within the current modern society due to the unequal conveyance of riches the course contrast exists. Destitution itself is the greatest social issue. The destitute community are denied of essential rights. Numerous rising social issues are the result of uncontrolled destitution tall treachery made towards the destitute community in each perspective of their lives. The three types of laws mostly prevail in our society’s i.e. state law, religious law, and traditional or local law these aforementioned laws have really complicated the lives of women in one way or the other which presents a clear picture of injustice in a society (Taga, 2009).

In Pakistan the level of injustice is very high. A high level of injustice and discrimination is made in every aspect of life. There are high level injustices made in Pakistan in the education sector, the elite class children are studying in high class educational institutions but the children of the lower class of Pakistani society are facing great discrimination even in the provision of basic level education this is the most devastated area where injustice is a common problem (lieven, 2011). The practices of justice is a daunting task in Pakistan. Pakistan society is scattered totally different sorts of traditions and laws. There's no uniform framework of the rise to equity. The state's greatest institution isn't shielding the basic right of individuals. The state's biggest institution is not safeguarding the fundamental right of people. In the Pashtun belt specifically in FATA in which there are local customs and laws. most of the local’s laws are giving more power to man the patriarchal environment are really based on discrimination towards women (Merger challenges, 2018). The brutal law is the biggest hurdle in the way ill of women empowerment.In Sindh he enforced marriages and other injustice are very common in Sindh step mother treatment to wars women's is common practices in Sindh. In Baluchistan the feudal sort environment is really creating problems towards women’s in Punjab the local customs are really a threat to women empowerment (Rafi, 2018). all the laws in society in one way or the other really shows us huge level injustice in society. There are many writers who wrote about justice. One of the Urdu well known writers Faiz ahmad Faiz was famous for his revolutionary poetry. Faiz ahmad Faiz wanted to see Pakistan, at the highest level amongst the developing nation. He showed his love for the country by awakening people, from the state of deep slumber and imparted the message of peace and equality in them (Rahman,2013). His poem “lazim Hai key ham bhi dekhengy” is pure example of making people realize that justice should be served in every possible way. His other poem “ajj bazaar mien pabande jolan chalo” also speaks up and stands for the right of poor people. Faiz ahmad faiz delivers message of justice in his poems.TS Elliot, an English play writer, asocial critic and a poet, disregarded the practice of rich overpowering the poor. He was a socialist and wanted to safeguard justice and equality in the society (Simon and Schuster,1984). In the poem “the wasteland” Elliot focuses on the aftermath of war. He conveyed the message of peace through his poetry. This poem is a quintessential example of intellectual degradation, and the wrong use of power.

Research Question

How is injustice and violation of human rights in contemporary society depicted in Ghani Khan’s poem ‘Badshahi’?

Literature Review

Many poems have the idea of injustice in society, injustice with women, injustice with poor people etc. Researches and articles are done on injustice as it is the main negative element of society. The poetry of William Blake, Maya Angelou depicts injustice too. “I dream a world” poem by Langston Hughes explains the injustice with black people. Another poem “Before I was a gazan” by Naomi Shihab Nye also have highlighted injustice. It is a personal and emotional poem about her view of the world and how change is needed. Although majority most of the poem is written about how basic rights were not given, granted, the poem also includes sections at which contains passages where the reader sees the need for equal basic rights for both male and female is needed.

We can too see the component of bad form in William Blake’s verses. Numerous sonnets of Blake centered on the subjects that are related to treachery in society. Able to see injustice in one of Blake’s known poem “London” (Than, 2013). In this sonnet William Blake clearly criticized the society additionally say the agonies and bad form confronted by common individuals. He paints a picture in his sonnet of messy lanes of London, the whole poem tells us around treachery and injustice done to the individuals of London (Rawlinson, 2003). Overall London is very pessimistic poem which shows no solutions to the problems. As we go through the poem lines:

And mark in every face I meet Marks of weakness, marks if woe. In every cry of every Man,

In every Infants cry of fear, In every voice: in every ban,

The mind-forged manacles I hear

"London" is among the best known writings by visionary English poet William Blake. The poem describes a walk through London, which is presented as a pained, oppressive, and impoverished city in which all the speaker can find is misery. It places particular emphasis on the sounds of London, with cries coming from men, women, and children throughout the poem. The poem is in part a response to the Industrial Revolution, but more than anything is a fierce critique of humankind's failure to build a society based on love, joy, freedom, and communion with God.

This poem really passed on the frightfulness and injustice that was in London. From this we clearly see how William Blake was against injustice in society as Blake pictures the London boulevards which appear his profound sentiments for the individuals who were confronting treachery and he truly needed to do something for them through his works. 

Research Methodology

Study methodology refers to the tools, approach, devices, technique, means, and resources used by researcher in the study. For the purpose of acquiring information, the researcher shall use the quantitative research method in my research for the purpose to achieve my objectives.

This research use the pattern of qualitative research methodology and is descriptive in nature. The researcher utilized this method to answer the researcher questions and enlightened the objectives of the study. The researcher had dissected the poem of Ghani Khan ‘Badshahi’ in order to depict the injustice happening in contemporary society. The researcher examined the thoughts of Ghani Khan and how most of people are deprived from their rights.

This research was conducted to find the components of treachery in society through the verse of the Pashtun incredible poet Ghani Khan. The verse of Ghani Khan delineates the components of revolt in his modern society which was full of treachery and abuse. He adored mankind correspondence and brotherhood and upheld the flexibility of considerations. He clarifies in his verse the characteristics of his society, one of which is the treachery predominant over there.

Hence, he reports his revolt against treachery and remorselessness. All this might be scrutinized in his verse. The social treacheries, the enslavement of the destitute and denied one have been pointed out in his verse. This inquire about work is all approximately social treachery in modern society.

There are two ways for collecting the data related to the topic, primary and secondary.The primary source for the collection of data is the poem 'Badshahi' by Ghani Khan. The lines had been selected from the poem and analyses through textual analysis. Textual analysis is a wide term for different research strategies utilized to portray, translate and get it writings. All sorts of data can be gathered from content – from its strict meaning to the subtext, imagery, presumptions, and values it uncovers.

The secondary data had been taken from web pages, journals, books, articles and researches related to the poem.

The data was gathered using qualitative research methodology in order to determine the injustice in contemporary society and to point out the rights of the lower class. Joined many Mardan libraries to have a better understanding of the subject. The researcher went to the Mardan Central Library, the Women's University of Mardan Library, and the Main Campus of Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan to view numerous valuable books at notable Mardan Bookstores. The researcher also brought several credible books and other devices into the study. Qualitative research is useful for describing and analyzing the quality of human experiences in depth. This strategy is utilized to ensure full comprehension of the subject matter, particularly when the research is used to explain various situations in depth. In general, qualitative researchers emphasize the importance of social and cultural context throughout the research process, from developing a research topic to collecting data to writing and reporting findings.

Similarly, referrals from competent people who are relevant to our research influenced informant selection.

Early research has supplied us with valuable information about injustice and the rights of the poor, which we will use to address my study questions.

The researcher used the closed text reading method for analyzing the selected lines from the poem ‘Badshahi’. Close reading is a method in which the reader’s interpretation of the passage or text mainly concentrate on the specific details to explore deeper or inner meanings present in it. The method of textual analysis is used by the researcher in order to analyze the text of the poem for the purpose of better exploring and understanding.

Analysis and Discussion

Analysis of the poem “Badshahi”

What good is the world’s kingship?

Why multiply your cares?

Ghani Khan was very much aware of the societal norms and codes of conduct. Ghani Khan came to the conclusion that providing justice on equal footings is a difficult task. In the very first lines of his famous poem ‘ Badshahi’ Ghani Khan proclaimed that it is better to live in isolation and not to accept any kingship. As it will further escalate one’s own problems. After taking emperorship your own warriors will increase as governance is an uphill task. So, in the very first lines Ghani Khan in very clear words says that it is better not accept any sort of emperorship and top a simple life.

t’s hard to weigh justice 

You’d make this more than less

In these lines Pashtun philosopher Ghani Khan said that provision of justice is not an easy job. When a person gains power and becomes a ruler then the human problems are so many that it is impossible to provide every person equal justice. Obviously, there would be a lack of justice to one group or another so better to remains aloof from emperorship.

Don’t you have enough worries That you seek the worlds troubles?

What would you do with such a throne?

As makes you weep night and day?

In these lines the Pashtun philosopher Ghani Khan very beautifully says that man’s own worries are countless. Every person faces many hardships. A single man is unable to find the solution to his worries. The big rope of emperorship itself in nature is a daunting task. Along with own day to day issues taking the lead in your hands is like increasing your own worries. After taking emperorship day and night you will be busy in handling people’s issues and justice is not equally provided by a ruler so if your wiling to increase your own worries and troubles then accept the kingship otherwise a life without kingship is way better.

In a large herd of mules, The great mule leads the rest-

A great king of beasts

Is the greatest Beast of all?

Ghani Khan was a natural philosopher. He adored natural beauty. He was very much fed up from the political doctrine and the ruling patterns of rulers. According to this Pashtun philosopher emperorship is like to treat your people like the mules or beasts behaves with other animals. In their own environment like the mules or beast very harshly treats small animals in the same manner the emperor just kills and tortures his people. There is no respect for humanity. Money is only faith of ruling class. They are least concerned about people day to day issues. Many people are facing great hardships but the ruling class doesn’t care about that. So, Ghani Khan is not ready to accept such anarchy based emperorship and prays to almighty Allah not to give him such bad task.

This world - a dog’s tail – Cannot be straightened or mended;

With a black cat of body

It blackens more with washing

Ghani Khan was fed up from the ruling class. In conclusion Ghani Khan says that the biggest beast of this world is the emperor. This world and its emperorship is like a dog’s tail. After putting dogs tail in woods for a long time period and then just puts it out it will be in its own conditions. Same is the case of emperorship. The emperor just for minor objectives behaves like a beast. Emperorship is like black cat. If a black is washed, then its black color further makes the washing process difficult. Emperorship is very tough and Ghani Khan wants to refrain from such activities.

A kingdom is created

When half men starve and half die; when one man feeds the flesh of another to dogs at home

Ghani Khan was a prolific writer. He holds great over his surroundings. The kingship whole patterns of governance were wholly understood by Ghani Khan. The rulers are thirsty of common man blood. Their anarchic designs were comprehended by Great Khan. In the philosophical views of Ghani khan governance and emperorship is possible when half of the people just takes away the lives of others. Without this a true governance is just a pipe-dream. The ruling class for very minor objectives kills their masses. They behave in such a way as they will take away people’s lives and will kept them before their hungry dogs. Ghani Khan is not in favor of such ruthless forms of emperorship and wants to remain aloof from such activities as this is totally based brutality. Harshness and brutality are the hallmark of emperorship. So better to remains away such bad practices. Ghani Khan wants a beautiful natural environment from his god.

What would such life mean that                         you either kill or die?

Where are your fruits and roses?

You keep a garden and kill the bulbul?

In these lines Ghani Khan says that life of a king is not peaceful and he will either kill others or will die himself. This means that it is difficult to do justice. Ghani khan compares the king with that of the gardener and addresses him that for securing/protecting the garden, fruits and roses the gardener kills nightingale. Hence this is injustice and justice becomes impossible in such circumstances.

Lord, if you grant me Kingship of the world,

I’ll hurl it out of home Like dung on a dunghill

In these lines Ghani Khan said that if God give me a kingship of this world, I will reject it because being a human I can’t give justice to every individual present in this world as it is very difficult task to do. As we see many injustices occurring in society regarding many aspects. No one can give a complete justice to every individual so that’s why Ghani Khan clearly shows rejection for the kingship of this world.

These couple of living moments I cannot spend in brawls; Over this pot of cruelty, Lord, place another lid;

In these lines Ghani Khan said that this life is too short and I cannot spend this livelihood and pleasant moments in a rough way. Giving an idea of living a pleasant life, these lines explains that one should not waste this short life in a rough way.

Just give me some flowers     And a lovely sweetheart; A little garden

On the river side; So, I may sit on the bank

In the cool shade of a weeping willow And write with cheer

Some pleasing ghazals-

In the above lines Ghani khan prays Allah to bestowed upon him a few flowers a lovely sweetheart and a garden along the river, so that he may sit on the bank of the river under the weeping willow where cool breeze blows and he could write some pleasant lines of his poetry. In this way he could avoid injustice and promote peace and love through his ghazals.

Give rule to those Who can endure its force; With the hand of a butcher And character of a snake,

Who can sacrifice to themselves The blood of their brothers;

Who can both eat and digest The flesh of the poor.

In these verses Ghani Khan talks to Allah, saying that give kingship to those who have the power of talking burden of brutality on their shoulders, to those who are unjust and cruel, who can easily drag a knife on any innocent neck, who is a hypocrite, who can sacrifice their loved ones for their greedy benefits and who can engulf the rights of poor ones. These lines explain the traits of an unjust king who does not care about his dear ones and the poor beings, who only thinks about his own gluttonous satisfaction.

The head carrying the crown Is the one that kills like a plague;

That roars and tears like a panther And frightens like a ghost.

These lines of the poem explains that cruelty and ruthlessness of a crowned head. The one carrying crown vanishes other’s lives like a plague and monstrously scares everyone around. Ghani Khan is just highlighting the negative brutal traits of kingship that causes harm to the ones with no power.

The throne cannot be taken Without sword and hangman;

The more kings there are, The world is worse for it.

These lines explain the disturbing conditions of kingship. The seat of power cannot be easily gained, one has to fight recklessly despite caring for other’s life, with swords and weapons. Ghani Khan do not want be one of them, he wants to live a peaceful simple live.

A great king is a great curse Who thrives on the curse of blood.

Kingship is like fire And thrives on burning.

The above verses explains that kingship is actually a curse, it can makes you walk through a sinful way. In today’s contemporary society the leaders are just fighting for seat ,their intentions are just to their intentions are fair to be in control ,we are having huge issues in our society and nation as a entirety that needs arrangements. A real king think about the betterment of the counter beyond his/her own interests but in today’s world such leaders are just limited to our dreams. It is a curse from those who are killed without committing any crime- the innocent ones. Kingship is a well of problems and will burns your positive traits. Ghani Khan says that only Allah can be the King, He justly rule the whole universe and these creatures of Him are just blend of greed and cruelty who unjustly rules.

Lord, be gracious to us And keep us from this calamity!

Ghani Khan is praying to Allah that keep me away from this kingship, as it the process of injustice to innocent ones. He do not want kingship because it cause harm to the lower class, the poor ones, the people who are not in power. He do not want to engulf someone’s rights and create an unjust cruel kingdom.

Conclusion

Thus, we can clearly see the element of injustice in Ghani Khan’s poem ‘Badshahi’. Ghani Khan says that if Allah gives me the kingdom of this world, I will reject it because no one is able to give complete justice to any individual. Ghani Khan was a Pashtun poet and specifically he wrote about the Pashtun society as many elements of injustice also found in Pashtun society. In modern era, the poor are getting poorer and rich ones are getting richer, only those people utilizes their rights who are in power, the rest are deprived from their rights. Ghani Khan portrays a cruel picture of society. This poem is a slap on the faces of those leaders who prefers their own interest over the rights of poor people. In today's world everyone is in race to get more and more money. Our leaders are fighting for seat but actually they don't know the meaning of seat that is “responsibility". They use their power just for their own luxurious and the lower class are deprived from their rights. Brother kills brother just for the sake of money. Women are deprived from their rights, innocent people are suffering because they have no power and no money .

The kingdom built on the blood of innocents is of use it is a curse . The power without justice is of no use and knowledge without decorum is nothing. The greed of the world will not set you at peace . This kingship is of no use that will create troubles for you and make you a greedy unjust person. Allah is the best of all ,only he can make justice to his creatures ,the leaders of this world can’t make justice to others.

Ghani Khan convey a strong message in this poem ‘Badshahi’ that there is no one powerful but Allah and He is seeing all of his creatures that how they are carrying their responsibilities they are handed with. It's better to have a simple life without power, without greed of money, without hurting other than a life of power, cruelty, lust and greed.

The study recommended a broader Vision to the contemporary society that this world is a fake imagery, running after this world is like chasing after a shadow you will get nothing. People nowadays are running after worldly wishes and luxurious they the superior class don't think about the rights, facilities and issues of lower class. But at the end of the day this power, money and luxuries will become a curse for them.

Discussion

Ghani Khan like other great poets discussed social injustice in their poetry. Every poet is the real interpreter of its society. Ghani Khan is very in-depth knowledge about his society. Ghani Khan loves human values. The society of Ghani Khan was very much against the human values. The prevailing huge level miseries in one form or the other really compelled this great Pashtun philosopher to represent the real image of his society by his bold poetry collection. Ghani Khan was against the very nature of emperorship, according to Ghani Khan the real enemies of human beings are the rulers (Bacha, Bibi, 2010). The rulers just utilized the common mass just for pity gains. The high rate of injustice as in the form of economic deprivation or class difference or other basic human rights are a result of peak level injustice which is exists in society.

References

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