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Using expletives isn't 'Punjab's culture', Rohale Asghar. Just say you like to curse and move on

Using expletives isn't 'Punjab's culture', Rohale Asghar. Just say you like to curse and move on

The PML-N MNA tried to pass the blame of his own bad behaviour in the National Assembly onto the people of Punjab.
16 Jun, 2021

By now, everyone knows about the violence in the National Assembly and the ensuing disapproval from the entire nation. But for one MNA, using expletives during the session was fine because it's part of his province's "culture". We beg to differ.

Meet Shaikh Rohale Asghar, one of the seven MNAs banned from the assembly due to their role in Tuesday's violence. He's a long-time PML-N stalwart from Lahore and has been in politics for years. He also thinks that using expletives was alright because "it's Punjab's culture".

There are so many things wrong with what those three little words (or four since he said it in Urdu "Punjab ka culture hai") that it's difficult to decide where to begin.

Perhaps we'll start with the fact that he's vilifying an entire people because he can't control his own tongue. Just say you like to curse and move on, why are you dragging the entire province into your mess?

He's also reinforcing a rather foolish stereotype of Punjabis being overly aggressive and their speech peppered with colourful expletives. That may be the case with Mr Asghar but that isn't true for everyone — not by a long shot. He's justifying his own bad behaviour by putting the burden of blame on the entire province of Punjab, which is laughable. If this is the culture of Punjab, why are words like this not used everywhere in the province? Why do Punjabis not greet each other with curses instead of hellos? Maybe because it's not actually their culture and they're being used as scapegoats.

There are people that use expletives and people that don't. That's true for all people in all regions and all countries. To reinforce a damaging stereotype — as most stereotypes are — Asghar isn't doing anyone any favours, least of all the Punjabis he has been elected to represent. And Punjabis didn't agree with him at all. Most comments on social media were reiterations of the same sentiment — "this might be your culture, Rohale Asghar, but it isn't ours".

Asghar also chose to brush off valid criticism of him and his fellow MNAs by passing the buck onto Punjabis. Mr Asghar, you and your fellow parliamentarians are the ones who disgraced themselves in the National Assembly by throwing budget books and hurling expletives, not the people of Punjab. Own up to your own mistakes instead of claiming it's "Punjab's culture" to behave badly.

Comments

Ibrahim Jun 16, 2021 06:13pm
Upistani got another excuse to ridicule Punjabi language . Bengalis are happier in their country , speaking their mother language , following their own culture and practicing Islam without trying to be the champion of Muslim Ummah - can we learn something from our older brothers .
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NACParis Jun 16, 2021 06:47pm
He should apologize to the people of Punjab. His statement reflects his arrogance probably due to his involvement in PML-N.
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Malik Jun 16, 2021 06:55pm
Neither PMLN nor PTI represent Punjab. They are goons of Establishment and nothing else. Punjabis should establish a local party that should throw both PTI and PMLN out of Punjab.
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Multani Jun 16, 2021 07:09pm
Explicit use in Punjabi culture is surely there, we heard PTI members using them freely, shame.
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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad Jun 16, 2021 08:06pm
What a grave, grim, gross and grisly lie?
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Jogger Jun 16, 2021 09:32pm
He also thinks that using expletives was alright because "it's Punjab's culture". Nothing to disagree with the statement above.
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Chrís Dăn Jun 16, 2021 09:46pm
Where is Punjab of Buleh Shahś poetry and where stands Asgharś crude claim?
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Captain Jun 16, 2021 10:37pm
It’s not Punjab but N League culture!
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Khanm Jun 16, 2021 11:09pm
We seldom realize, for example that our most private thoughts and emotions are not actually our own. For we think in terms of languages and images which we did not invent, but which were given to us by our society.
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Ahsan Gul Jun 17, 2021 12:12am
@Malik and you are deadly wrong about these parties! Sincerely
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Pathanoo Jun 17, 2021 03:15am
He was not far off from the truth.
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Toni Jun 17, 2021 04:05am
"this might be your culture, Rohale Asghar, but it isn't ours".
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MNK Jun 17, 2021 04:11am
I am not Punjabi. Dear MNA, it may be your house or your area culture, not the culture of Punjab. Must apologize.
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Mohsin Jat Jun 17, 2021 05:54am
He must be maintaining the same culture at home.
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FY Jun 17, 2021 06:40am
Well! The guy is not wrong altogether!
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A Jun 17, 2021 06:41am
That is how Punjabis behave. He is not wrong. But using in parliament is not appropriate.
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Tipu Jun 17, 2021 09:06am
We are interested in knowing how they can relate this language with their house culture.
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Zak Jun 17, 2021 11:10am
But for one MNA, using expletives during the session was fine because it's part of his province's "culture". We beg to differ Man is fit to be a chowkidar, how did he become an MNA, must be of PML N party, they are all like that.
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Zak Jun 17, 2021 11:13am
@Multani Explicit use in Punjabi culture is surely there, we heard PTI members using them freely, shame. Every action of PML N receives a reaction from PTI.
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Frank Jun 17, 2021 12:16pm
@Ibrahim The common man of every nation swears, but we expect better from our rulers. The self hatred of Punjabis and the cultism of PML-N, both of whom have backed Asghar's ludicrous excuse, are on display in this comments section.
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AZAM AKBAR Jun 17, 2021 04:52pm
What say the Panjabis is it true or not? Mr. Shaikh Rohale Asghar has an excuse or says the truth.
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Syed Chishti Jun 17, 2021 11:12pm
Indian and Pakistani media is pushing this culture in recent years with increasing disrespect to all genders and ages. Now, politicians are promoting it as well. Unfortunate but grim truth.
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