Blind Justice in the Land of the Pure: An Exposition of the Pakistani Hudood Ordinance in A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif

Abstract

In Mohammed Hanif‟s A Case of Exploding Mangoes Blind Zainab is a gang rape victim
who gets convicted of fornication and is then sentenced to death by stoning under the 1979
misogynistic Hudood Ordinance promulgated by the military dictator General Zia (1977-
1998). This research study provides an in depth discussion and analysis of the Hudood Laws
in Pakistan and the debate surrounding them. These laws have been a topic of increasing
debate and scrutiny not only in Pakistan but also internationally for decades. Despite the fact
that the Zina Hudood Ordinance governs both sexes, it has the potential to negatively affect
the female citizens of Pakistan who form more than half of the population of the country.
Hanif in the novel throws light on this national issue through the character of Blind Zainab
who is victimised firstly by her attackers and then by the discriminatory and controversial
Hudood Ordinance. He highlights how the victim is further victimised by these laws. This
episode of Blind Zainab alerts us to the fact that enforcing gender discriminatory laws is in
the interest of maintaining political power and keeping the subaltern entrenched in
subalternity. The interpretation and analysis of Hanif‟s novel in this study explores the role of
law and its implementation with reference to women in Pakistan.