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“Extremism can flourish only in an environment where basic governmental social responsibility for the welfare of the people is neglected. Political dictatorship and social hopelessness create the desperation that fuels religious extremism.” (Late Benazir Bhutto)
Pakistan doesn’t seem safe for religious minorities despite what is enshrined in the constitution and guaranteed by Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of the country. It shouldn’t surprise us when in December, the United States has placed Pakistan on a list of countries of particular concern for violation of religious freedom.
This embarrassing designation was further endorsed by an unfortunate incident that occurred in the Karak district of KPK province just a day before the end of the 2020. Hundreds of highly charged Muslims set ablaze Krishna Dwara, a historic Hindu temple. This is neither the first incident of its kind, nor the last. Sadly, intolerance towards religious minorities has been gaining pace in Pakistan for the last many years, something which can be noticed by observing frequent attacks on their places of worship and false blasphemy allegations.
Many political leaders, religious clerics, and human rights activists rightly condemned the incident. Chief Justice of Pakistan took the suo-moto notice and directed the relevant authorities to inquire the incident and submit a report. However, such condemnations, protests, notices and inquiries have taken place in the past, too.
It begs a question if Pakistan is safe for religious minorities as the Prime Minister keeps quoting everywhere. Is just condemning the violence and taking notices sufficient?
The answer is a big NO!
The Prime Minister often seeks attention towards Islamophobia, and rightly so. May he take a look at the growing Hinduphobia in Pakistan as well.
Not only religious extremists but also the political leadership is equally responsible for these types of incidents. Hinduphobia is on the rise in the Islamic republic of Pakistan. Whenever, the political leadership, media or public criticize or abuse Indians on their faith, they conveniently forget that more than 8 million Hindus are living in Pakistan too, who have been patriotic and proud citizens. Many clerics, ministers and members of national and provincial assemblies have been found using very harsh words for other faiths, Hindus in particular. If the same sort of words are used for Islam, it could have been considered as blasphemy, and the speaker might be killed without any due process of court case.
In this disappointing scenario, what’s the way forward? Such types of incidents cannot be stopped just by hollow condemnations, or arresting a few people only to later grant them bail, and making them heroes by indoctrinated segment of the society. Authorities need to pay proper attention and to keep a strict check on these types of heinous crimes. Religious clerics, political leaders, civil society, rights activists and representatives of minorities must sit together and come up with a proper action plan, so that such incidents do not repeat.
About the Author:
Khanesh Kumar Rathi is a computer engineer and blogger from Chelhar, Tharparkar. He can be reached at rathijk55@gmail.com
