Abstract
The present article explores ambiguous status of Pashtun characters in Fatima Bhutto’s novel The Shadow of the Crescent Moon. It highlights pitfalls of nationalism which due to racial composition divides the nation into upper and lower classes. Difference between the elite and dominated classes is sustained with the help of economic and political inequalities. Sectarian violence is also a factor which adds to the miseries of the lower class. It results in exteriorization of the interiors which means that cultural identity of the dominated ethnic group is questioned and shown as deviant. Their status becomes ambiguous as they are natives of the state but are not treated as respectable citizens. Views of Etienne Balibar (1991) about exclusion of the natives are relevant to the issue under study. The study is qualitative which is based on interpretive analysis of selected passages from the novel. The article is significant in highlighting issues of sectarian violence and impact of racism on nationalism which leads to division of the same community into elite and dominated groups. The dominated group is pushed into an ambiguous status and suffers due to cultural identity and sectarianism. Keywords: Nationalism, Pashtuns, Racism, Exclusion, Sectarianism.
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