Playwright, activist clash live on TV during debate on ‘Women March’

Tariq Butt, Correspondent

Drama writer and poet Khalilur Rehman Qamar has earned widespread condemnation and praise for his highly objectionable remark against civil society activist Marvi Sirmad in a TV programme on the Aurat (women) March.

A heated debate on the treatment of women in Pakistan has been stirred between progressives and conservatives on the perceived objectives of the Aurat March 2020. Televisions shows, social media influencers, and rights activists all seem to have opinions on the event.

Qamar appeared on a television show alongside Sirmed to share their thoughts on Aurat March 2020. However, tempers flared soon after the two got into an argument about one of the slogans (mera jism, meri marzi — my body, my choice), which is championed by those who are organising the march.

Qamar said the slogan in question was "vile and filthy" and he felt "hurt" that the Lahore High Court (LHC) had thrown out a petition seeking to ban it.

As he was making his argument, Sirmed interrupted to offer an explanation as to why the line of thought he was diving into was problematic.

However, at this, Qamar lost his patience and directed some highly inappropriate insults at Sirmed for the interruption.

Soon after, politicians, celebs and others took to social media to call out the television writer for his profanity-filled response.

Actress Mahira Khan said she was sick to the core with what she had seen on television. "I am shocked at what I have just heard and seen!! Sick to the core. This same man who abused a woman on TV is revered and given project after project because of what? We are as much to blame if not more for perpetuating this thinking,” she wrote on Twitter.

Filmmaker Sarmad Khoosat held the entertainment industry responsible for letting this happen.

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Senator Sherry Rehman, one of the most vocal supporters of Aurat March, also condemned Qamar’s behaviour on the show. "I will not accept any show on Neo TV until this anchor apologises and this abusive man boycotted,” she tweeted.

Journalist Ansar Abbasi weighed in, saying: "Khalil-ur-Rehman Qamar responded to 'mera jism meri marzi' with 'meri zabaan meri marzi.' Both our body and our tongue are bound by limits set by our religion and should stay within those limits. Neither women's rights nor human rights, or even the freedom of speech allow anyone [to transgress those bounds]."