The haunted lotus: demonization of political foes in Afghanistan

Abstract

Categorizing the world, as good and evil and the conflict between the two have been part of human history. This contrast has unfolded in various forms and with different outcomes. Nonetheless, the embodiment of good and evil by the superior and inferior, respectively, has been a common thread throughout history and across cultures and societies. The forces and groups representing "the superior/good", have used every available means and opportunities to suppress "the inferior/evil", without being accountable to any stakeholders. They have also defined and re-defined the terms of any social, cultural, economic and political relations between themselves and "the other", as they have manipulated the religious and historical narrations to maintain the status quo. Focusing on the above theme, this exegesis and the accompanying art works try to present a picture of the dynamics in the good-evil relationships. For this purpose, writing briefly looks into the history of the Hazaras, an ethnic minority who mainly live in the central highlands of Afghanistan. Being deeply touched by their history, of which the candidate is a part, the exegesis looks at the subject from social, political and religious angles. To make it more relevant to the contemporary issues and affairs, the writing tries to put the subject of demonization in the context of modern relations and various cultures. The available resources on the history of modern Afghanistan, which mainly exist in Dari/Persian language, are used as the key reference points for this research. Nonetheless, Shahnama, a collection of Persian epic poems written by Ferdowsi (940-1020), remains much impressed upon the entire research and presentation, both the verbal and non-verbal parts. Rostam, Shahnama's heroic character (Eduljee 2013), who represents and supports the "good side", always overcomes every evil character, including many demons, during his reign of300 years (Clayton 2005). Seeing Rostam in the form of the different tyrants - either under the banner of religion or ethnic fascism - within Afghanistan's historical texts, this research finds Hazaras as the demonized victims. The candidate's family history makes the logical link between the research theme and the case being studied.