Pakistanis keep fingers crossed on Basant festivities

Islamabad, Feb 5 (PTI) Basant, the festival that
heralds the end of winter and the arrival of spring, is around
the corner and so are the many controversies surrounding it in
Pakistan.

And the big question before all Basant enthusiasts is
whether they will be able to celebrate the centuries-old
festival this year?

The festivities, which are associated with kite
flying, were banned last year, but Basant lovers are already
flying kites on the sly in Lahore, the cultural capital of the
country, defying a Supreme Court ban.

The apex court outlawed the sport in 2005 after
several people were killed by glass-coated or metal kite
strings.

Metal or glass-coated strings help cut the strings of
rival kites -– the main objective of the sport -– but they can
catch unsuspecting motorcyclists and children across the
throat, at times with fatal consequences.

Metal strings also cause short circuits by touching
overhead electricity cables, leading to heavy losses for power
utilities.

Though Basant is not about religion, some religious
leaders claim kite flying is un-Islamic. The festival is
celebrated in the entire subcontinent, and particularly in
Pakistan, by flying kites.

"The authorities should just allow people to observe
and participate in traditional activities that originated
hundreds of years ago. Basant isn't about religion, it's about
ushering in spring through festivities," said Sajjad Ahmed, a
resident of Lahore.

The previous PML-Q-led government had decided to
promote Basant as a tourist attraction in Lahore, officially
calling it the "Spring Festival".

A few years ago, former President Pervez Musharraf had
even attended two formal Basant functions in Lahore.

The organisers of the Lahore Basant Festival had to
cancel the event last year after authorities banned kite
flying and warned that violators would be dealt with in
accordance with the law.

The organisers, who first set February 21 as the date
for beginning festivities, had to postpone celebrations twice
and then cancel the programme completely.

This year, police have not been able to keep Basant
enthusiasts from flying kites despite several arrests.
Citizens have also criticised the government of Punjab
province for making plans to restrict the festival to Lahore's
old quarters or the Walled City.

"Basant is the festival of Lahore and no one can stop
us from celebrating it. We are crazy about kites and the
passion is in our blood," Sarmad, who has been flying kites,
told Daily Times.

He said the game of hide-and-seek between enthusiasts
and police will continue until they are given permission to
enjoy the festival.

"Punjabi culture is full of colour and festivities and
Basant tops them all. The authorities should not try to ruin
the festival," Sarmad said.

Indians had started organising the festival across
their country to attract tourists while the Pakistan
government was trying to keep people at bay, he noted.

While criticising the idea of restricting the
festival to the Walled City, he said, "It will be like
dividing the Lahoris. The residents of other areas will rush
to the Walled City, which will ultimately create problems for
law enforcers."

Lahore Kite Flying Association general secretary
Mohammad Saleem said his group is coordinating with the local
government in Lahore and other authorities to organise the
festival.

He said the Association had prepared a final draft of
recommendations, which would be presented to the government on
February 6.

Saleem said the use of polyester in making kite string
would be strictly banned and that kite flyers will be provided
with cotton twine alone.

"It will prevent fatalities as flexible and rigid
polyester string (usually are responsible for) slitting
throats. Instead of metallic or glass powder, use of
traditional material in preparation of string will be
ensured," he said.

"We are trying to persuade the government not to limit
the festival to the Walled City," he said, adding the final
date for the celebrations will be announced soon. PTI RHL