Right after the attack on Malala, the first extreme, "The Conspiracists", immediately started associating conspiracies with the incident. In those times, i saw and heard a number of idiotic conspiracies such as she was never shot, why would Taliban kill a small girl when it is clearly against their own norms (even when Talibans "humbly" accepted the responsibility of the attack), she has been shot by ISI or American agencies to start a new operation in north etc etc. The Conspiracist even went to the extent to add certain phrases in the Malala's Diary against beard and head scarf. Time proved almost all of these conspiracies wrong. Apart from TTP's open acceptance of the responsibility of the attack and a letter to justify their act, it is pretty much clear from Malala's face that she was shot. The 'operation-in-sawat' conspiracy was also a hoax and time has proven that no new operation started based on Malala's incident. But, for me, the behavior of these conpiracists is not new. Their opinions are 'anti-US-centric' and not 'truth-centric'. Their enmity towards US and west becomes more important than abiding by the truth and saying only what is just and right.
The other extreme is The West itself, who has exaggerated Malala's status to a level which has made the whole issue even more dubious. There is no doubt that she is a talented, God gifted, ambitious and confident girl, however awards, titles, noble prize nominations and honorary meetings with the presidents and the queen are too much for a person of Malala's caliber and achievements. It is pretty much clear now that west, especially the US, is using her to achieve its vested interests which in my opinion are propagating anti-talibanization, justifying their presence in the region and spreading their own values of freedom while criticizing eastern and Muslim practices (i carefully chose the word Muslim and not Islamic). The problem with the US, like all powers, is also that its own vested interests are more important than justice and truth. Hence to achieve their own objectives, they do not care if they attack Afghanistan or Iraq without significant evidence or give away noble prize to someone who barely deserves it.
Apart from above, the role of Malala and her father has been irresponsible and short sighted. Despite the opposition, she gained many supporters in Pakistan but she is loosing a lot of them now. Malala's recent book is also a clear indication of how she and her father are unaware or negligent towards the ground realities and sensitivities of Pakistani culture. If Malala ever wants to return to Pakistan and do something for the country, the best thing for her was to work on woman education and other related issues without using the head of west and by using her own mind and for that she could even go to the extent of refusing all the special treatment from the west.
Despite all the above analysis, i strongly believe that Malala and her book are, unfortunately or fortunately, a fad. A fad like Mukhatara Mai, which will not be remembered after few years. However i strongly believe that, before US hijack, it would have been much much better if our own people, our own country and the intellects of this country, could respect the individuals like Malala and Mukhtara, symbolically, to promote the causes which they stand for. Just the way they stand for Aafia Siddiqui. In this way, there would be less chances of exploitation of such people and propaganda against Islam and Pakistan. Sometimes one incident or personality becomes the symbol of a cause and that spurs the change in the society. However it is not possible without patience and "conspiracy-less" mind and until we will start accepting our own shortcomings. Till then, lets wait, till these "extremists" are "cured" of this Malala Syndrome.
