The lingering scent of love still permeates the air following Valentine’s Day celebrations just three days ago. And the air is getting heavier with unending wars in Gaza and Ukraine. Amidst love and war, national elections in two populous Asian countries, Pakistan, and Indonesia -- took place in the preceding week. Love, wars, elections present interesting and intriguing contradictions, provided one takes the world as a single place.
While some parts of the globe mourn the loss of lives due to ongoing conflicts, other regions celebrate electoral victories. Meanwhile, lovers both young and old in societies around the world embrace the romantic ambiance of Valentine’s Day.
The tradition of celebrating love on Valentine’s Day traces back to the feudal age in Europe, with its origins sparking debate among social historians. If we consider the kiss as a symbol of love, the earliest recorded instance dates back to approximately 2400 BCE among the Sumerians, as evidenced by a clay tablet.
Romantic love has long been a prevalent theme in literature across cultures, evolving in its expression while retaining its essence. While some historians attribute the emergence of romantic love to the Enlightenment era, others argue that it has deeper roots. Romantic love was influenced by factors such as literacy and modernity.
In countries like India, right-wing groups like the Shiv Sena and Kranti Sena have enforced strict regulations in public spaces during Valentine’s Day, citing concerns of "obscenity." This irony is palpable in a land that once introduced the world to the Kama Sutra, now embracing a more conservative political culture.
While exchanging ideas with a German colleague over the recently held elections sans Imran Khan, I mentioned that there is a common saying in Pakistan that its politics has been dominated by three As: Allah, Army, and America, and now a fourth A has to be added which is AI (artificial intelligence).
AI played an important role in the recent elections. Imran Khan’s party includes many young tech savvy members who used AI to create Imran Khan’s image delivering lectures to mobilize voters. They also used social media to share information with the voters and pointed out independent candidates who were loyal to former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party.
It is evident that technology, particularly AI, has played a significant role in shaping political landscapes. In Pakistan, Imran Khan’s party utilized AI and social media to mobilize voters. Similarly, in Indonesia, social media aided in rebranding presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, transforming his public image from a former military officer with a contentious past to a more amiable figure.
However, the growing influence of technology in politics raises questions about its impact on democracy. While it can facilitate information dissemination and voter mobilization, there are concerns about its potential to manipulate public opinion and consolidate power.
The recent elections in Pakistan and Indonesia have yielded diverse outcomes. Despite Imran Khan’s popularity, his party faced obstacles, resulting in a coalition government formed by opposing parties. Similarly, Prabowo Subianto declared victory in Indonesia, signaling a potential shift in leadership.
The coalition government in Pakistan, comprising the Pakistan Muslim League (PMLN) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), raises speculation about its longevity given the volatile nature of political alliances. In Indonesia, Prabowo’s victory, albeit unofficial, reflects a continuation of political dynasties despite efforts to portray a transition.
Prabowo’s vice-president is Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who happens to be the son of outgoing President Joko Widodo (popularly known as Jokowi). Prabowo is the son-in-law of former president Suharto, the country’s second president after Sukarno, who was helped to gain the top position with the help of the United States. A mass movement brought an end to Suharto’s 32-year rule in 1998. While serving as a top general in Suharto’s regime, Prabowo was accused of many human rights violations that led to his being banned from entering the United States until 2020.
While elections kept two large Muslim-majority countries -- first and second numerically -- busy, the death toll in Gaza kept mounting, reaching 28,663 (as of February 15) of which a large number of casualties were children. The UN has dubbed Gaza a graveyard of children, as 8,663 of them died by December 28, 2023. An impending invasion of Gaza portends a major catastrophe. The Ukraine war too has continued with no sign of end of bloodshed. According to UN sources, civilian death crossed over 10,000 in November 2023.
In the face of the complexities of love, war, and politics, it is essential to recognize the interconnectedness of these seemingly disparate phenomena. While elections offer hope for democratic renewal, they also highlight the enduring challenges of governance and representation. Similarly, while love serves as a beacon of hope amidst turmoil, it cannot shield us from the harsh realities of conflict and injustice.
Obscenity is not a man holding hands of a woman in a park, or in an embrace in a park-bench, obscenity is when shelter-less children are killed in their mothers’ arms in Gaza. I was touched by a heart-shaped Valentine’s Day e-card that put an appeal for love for the victims of war in Gaza.
When can we truly aspire to a future where peace prevails over war and where love triumphs over obscenity?
Habibul Haque Khondker is a sociology professor at Zayed University, Abu Dhabi who previously taught at the National University of Singapore.