Not every drama leaves a lasting impact, but Tan Man Neel o Neel broke the mold. What seemed like a light-hearted series took an unexpected and profound turn in its final episode, leaving viewers shaken.
Credit goes to the writer and the TV channel for their bold step in addressing a sensitive yet critical issue—something rarely seen on electronic media, which is often fixated on repetitive narratives of family conspiracies, oppressive in-laws, or love stories.
The climax unfolds during a celebratory event, where the protagonist is dancing. His fiancée’s ex-fiancé, a known thug, burns with jealousy. Seizing the moment, he plays a video on a giant screen showing the protagonist dancing inside a Gurdwara. Ignorant of the distinction between a Gurdwara and a mosque, the enraged crowd falls prey to the thug’s manipulation.
"He danced in a mosque! He has dishonored our religion!" the thug declares. Without a moment’s thought, the crowd picks up axes and spears, blindly following his words. They brutally murder the protagonist, his fiancée, and his friend. Even the thug’s father—who tries to protect them—is not spared and falls victim to the mob’s fury.
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That one scene encapsulated the harsh reality of religious exploitation in our society—how fabricated blasphemy allegations ignite blind rage, turning men into monsters.
Watching that scene, my mind raced to the victims of false blasphemy accusations—the pain, the helplessness, the sheer terror they must have felt. Even knowing it was just a drama, I wished I could have been there—to stop the mindless crowd, to save the innocent, even if it cost me my life.
This drama paid a well-deserved tribute to those wrongly accused and brutally murdered—victims like Mashal Khan, the Sri Lankan factory manager, the two Hafiz brothers of Sialkot, and countless members of minority communities burned alive under fabricated blasphemy charges.
On the Day of Judgment, won’t they ask their Creator:
"Were we not Your creation? Why did You leave us at the mercy of these beasts who tore us apart? Did You command them to kill us over false accusations just to satisfy their egos?"
Pakistanis are not only educationally backward but also religiously ignorant. Proof of this lies in the gullibility displayed on social media—where false stories about Khadija and Ayesha’s sewing machines, fabricated relics of the Prophet ﷺ, or weak hadiths flood timelines, met with endless SubhanAllahs and MashaAllahs.
We have become so irrational that even those who do not pray five times a day are quick to declare others blasphemers for trivial reasons—such as wearing clothes with Arabic script. If someone offends us personally, we weaponize religion against them, accusing them of blasphemy and brutally murdering them in broad daylight—with a savagery that would make even Genghis Khan or Hitler tremble.
And yet, we call ourselves true lovers of the Prophet ﷺ?
The same Prophet ﷺ whom we claim to follow forbade even mutilating enemies during war. He forgave his worst enemies, granting them sanctuary instead of vengeance.
And yet, we—his so-called followers—torture, mutilate, and kill our people, dragging their bodies through the streets. We have become executioners, handing out extrajudicial punishments in the name of religion.
People must be educated about religious teachings, blasphemy laws, and Pakistan’s Penal Code. But instead of addressing urgent issues, we have declared them taboo, while promoting meaningless distractions.
For the love of God, stop following blindly!
Blind imitation makes us like sheep, mindlessly following the herd. But we are human beings, given intellect for a reason. Use it.
Knowledge isn’t just found in degrees or prestigious institutions—it’s in books, research, questioning, and understanding. Seek it. Read. Learn. Act with wisdom, not rage.
And if you can’t do that—at the very least, don’t murder in the name of religion. Stop destroying your hereafter for the sake of a lie.
Because killing someone based on a false accusation isn’t righteousness—it’s a grave sin۔
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18 Apr, 2025
