Why isn’t the same question asked of a Christian when Pakistan plays against Australia, England or New Zealand?
Despite the fact that this state was created with a pledge by the father of the nation for equal rights for minorities, be they religious, civil or political, all these promises now seem to be convenient quotes uttered on national holidays. These quotes often serve the purpose of rhetoric for many right-wingers and so-called liberals.
Sixty five years on, and the state has been unable to own religious minorities for some obvious and oblivious reasons.
Pakistan was never created as an Islamic state as is understood by many of us. The credit for this goes to the distorted history taught in our text books. There is, what I have understood, a great difference between an “Islamic state” and a “state for Muslims”. But thanks to the Objectives Resolution which was later incorporated on March 12, 1949, just six months after the death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, it was made into an entirely “new state”. Since then, it has been an unending tale of disowning minorities and representing a grim picture of a Pakistan that had been differently thought out.
Jinnah was indeed a supporter of minorities and their rights in the then newly created Pakistan. Rationally speaking, who else can better understand the rights of minorities than Jinnah, who himself had been fighting for the rights of Muslim minorities in pre-partition Hindu-dominated India. Had it not been so, he would have never said:
You are free; you are free to go your worship places. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.
Moreover, the Constituent Assembly to which Jinnah made this speech was presided over by Jogendar Nath Mandal, a schedule-caste Hindu, who was the first law minister of Pakistan. But regret is the feeling that comes to your mind when you read these words and see the reality today.
The notorious Objectives Resolution not only transformed a Muslim state into an Islamic state, but it also deprived the shrinking ratio of religious minorities from civil and political rights too. This insertion in the constitution forever closed the doors for minorities to become, or even think to become, prime minister, president or even governor of a province.
Then came 11 bleak years of dictator Ziaul Haq, who hit the last nail in the coffin and transformed the fabric of the state into a completely Islamicised fabric. The over-ambitious dictator tried, to his full potential, to Islamise everything including the school curriculum, ideology and dress.
In doing so, he ignored the rights of minorities, as a result of which they are facing persecution now at the hands of so-called orthodox and religious fanatics. If the minorities had been secure, the ratio of their population would not have dipped down to a meager four percent from 15 percent at the time of independence. The reason is that a vast majority of the Hindu population has migrated to India or other countries because they are targeted by kidnappers for ransom; there is forced conversion of young Hindu girls to Islam and biased attitude towards to them in day to day life.
Hindus are more financially stable than the Christian minority and have options to move elsewhere; unfortunately for the Christians, they have no other options. They are born for unending persecution in Pakistan.
What more can be said of the minorities’ plight that they have lost their religious identity in the midst of persecution and oppression?
Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Bahis and other minorities are identified in texts and official documents as ‘non-Muslims’. It ought to be clear that ‘non-Muslim’ is not the identity of the religious minorities living in Pakistan. They are Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Bahis and so on. The word ‘non’ is simply a negation of something. If ‘non-Muslim’ is the identity of any religious minority, then there are non-Hindus, non-Christians and non-Sikhs. To make this clearer, in Urdu, all other religious minorities are labeled “ghair Musalman” and the literal meaning of “ghair” is “the one who is not our own”.
How can one develop a sense of belonging for minorities if things remain so? In the least, the minority members should be given an identity, if not security.
Another dilemma with minorities, particularly Hindus, is that many of them, especially in Punjab, relate Hindus to India and don’t consider them fellow Pakistanis. This discriminatory practice can upset and frustrate many Hindus who are disowned by their own country when they are called Indian just based on religion. A Pakistani Hindu feels as bad about being called an Indian as an Indian Muslim being called a Pakistani.
There is a dire need to own religious minorities; this can only be possible through rendering them equal civil, political and social rights. There is a serious need to revise the curriculum and legislation on the needful.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.
u r wrong ghair muslim means he or she is not a muslim…not that means which u said “the one who is not our own” stop spreading negativity….
I agree and if you are in Lahore, come and join me in a conference on the issue at 1630 on Saturday 25 Feb, Near Republic Motors, opp Ferozsons The Mall Lahore.
Great Job Kapil. Good article.
Kapil Dev,you deserve my heartfelt congratulations by voicing your feelings about treatment of minorities in Pakistan.It is true belief that India had to digest it’s partition to gain independence from British Raj who were in hurry to leave the sub-continent.Jinnah,Ghandi Nehru and other leaders never talked of religion while agreeing to creation of two sovereign states.The only known voice against partition was that of Jamat e Islami.
In a Muslim country non- Muslims (ghair musalman) should be called Zimmies as ordered by the teachings of Islam,which means that it is the responsibility of the Muslims to provide full protection to peaceful non -Muslims and treat them as fellow countrymen.
I enjoy cricket as sports and applaud good shots by a batsman and a goodball by a bowler irrespective of the cap one wears.
@Javed
I think we as Muslims wouldn’t know what his feelings are, especially the way things are going on in our country religiously since its inception.
Every civilization goes through a dark period where atrocities are committed in the name of religion. This beautiful religion Islam is being misused by the so called ghairatmand muslims who are discriminating against minorities and getting away with it. As a practicing muslim who has travelled alot I hope they realize that by such idiotic discrimination we are doing Islam a disservice because we are considered savages and rightly so, the same savages Prophet (PBUH) saved us from. Kapil I am glad that you spoke up and I hope one day even the true muslims who have enough sense will speak up for you.
Kapil, you are a pakistani..don’t let anyone tell you anything different!!
yes, unfortunately, discrimination exists but surely its not all-pervasive? i mean ok, you will prolly never become our prime minister but there is no bar on pursuing career in medicine, engineering, law, is there?
This seriously needs to stop!!!
Some of the things you mentioned are right and true to some extent but you mentioned” Hindus are more financially stable than the Christian minority and have options to move elsewhere; unfortunately for the Christians, they have no other options” but what will you say about the Muslims which are not financially safe,are they spending peaceful and secure life? surely not everyone which is financially not stable or is poor whether it,s Muslim,christian or Hindu have the same sufferings so please don,t try to relate it with religious discrimination and you talk about the civil,political and social rights what do you say if i ask you that is everyone else other than the Christian or Hindus is enjoying equal,civil,social and political rights if you think,yes you are right and if it,s,No then you are trying to spread the wrong message my brother.
Jinnah’s Pakistan is highjacked by two Ms (Mulla’n and Military )
Don’t bring that ’11 August’ speech… That was a futile attempt by the Fuhrer (Quaid) to reverse the rhetoric he had been using before… Pakistan was destined to become a field for ethno-fascistic and religious barbarians…
@ Kapil
forgot about it, u will never be considered as a Pakistani as long as Pakistan remains islamic and as long as the mindset of intolerance Pakistani muslims wont change, we, the minorities, will never enjoy our freedom nor will we ever get equall rights!
As a non-muslim too, i give u an advice, leave Pakistan asap before its too late!
whatever u said;it is a bitter truth….. actually our generation is unable to understand why this country was struggled for,if it was struggled for islam then where is the islam?not to talk about minorities,muslims are not happy to see their very own,sacred,pious,muslim brothers.plight of minorities is pathetic,very pathetic but i think we muslims r in more misery when we see where this religious fanaticism is leading us?
Every pakistani is and should be treated alike irrespective of your religous belief. Religion is a personnel choice and can not be forced onto an other. Pakistan will become a strong nation when everyone is treated equal. Let us promote equality and tolerance in our beloved country.
Very nice of tribune to raise such issues and give oppurtunities to such writers.
Stop blaming the Objective Resolution. The need for an independent and sovereign state was the utmost desire of Muslims Of India to live their life according to the teachings of Islam. Our Muslim leaders make a hard and tireless struggle for it. Objective Resolution was fully according to the Muslims for this country, and it was clearly mentioned the basic Rights of Minorities in the provision of Resolution. Below I quote some provisions and one of Quaid speech.
In the Objective Resolution:
Wherein adequate provision shall be
made for the minorities to freely
profess and practice their religions
and develop their cultures.
The very first provision of Objective Resolution-
Whereas sovereignty over the entire
universe belongs to Allah
Almighty alone and the authority
which He has delegated to the State
of Pakistan, through its people for
being exercised within the limits
prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.
Quaid-i-Azam addressing the Karachi Bar Association on Jan,25, 1948:
” I cannot understand a section of people who deliberately want to create mischief and make propaganda that the Constitution of Pakistan will not be made of the basis of Shariat. Islamic principles today are as applicable to life as they were 1300 years ago”.
@javed:
he said the literal meaning of ghair is one which is not our own. He is right. Nazar check karo apni
You write : “In the least, the minority members should be given an identity, if not security.”
How can you say that? How is identity more important than security? Would you rather be dead than nameless?!!!!
However, my suggestion to you is, leave Pakistan and go abroad (nor necessarily India). You will succeed very well.
Usman Ashraf Cheema, while there’s no debating that many Muslims do live in great poverty in Pakistan, it’s worth noting that they form the vast majority of the population, so it’s bound to happen. In addition to this the apparatus of the state and the oppurtunity to get ahead (albeit limited) is still present. At the very least, they are not actively discriminated against.
Hindus and Christians are not even given these few oppurtunities. They are treated as pariahs. They live in their own slums and are not given any government assistance, as well as being shunned by society at large.
You can’t equate the two. Muslims are 97% of the population. Let’s stop the omnipresent Muslim inferiority/self pity complex and focus on our minorities for a change.
And some how Pakistanis have the audacity to talk about minorities in India.Hindus in Pakistan the doors of your Motherland India is open for you all the time.Leave Pakistan ASAP.
why religion has to become your identity in 21st century?
cant you be just pakistanis?
We want a secular Pakistan.
Simple advice Kapil-
you over-stayed your welcome. Leave Pakistan before you burn your hands. You (you and your loved ones, also) have absolutely no future there.
Sorry for being harsh.
I can answer your question in one single word- two lettered. NO
I believe that our forefathers wanted a true islamic welfare state. This can be corroborated from so many speeches of Quaid-e-Azam where he categorically demanded an Islamic State. Unfortunately, the concept of an Islamic State has been maligned by our fundamentalists and secular liberals. Frankly both of them dont have an idea of an islamic state and consider a theocratic state to be an Islamic State. If an islamic state would have ever been a theocratic state, then certainly Jews would not have been given refuge by Muslims when they were being persecuted by the Christians. Hindus would have been forcefully converted to Islam by Muhammad Bin Qasim, just the same way when Muslims were either killed or forced to convert to christianity when Ottomans lost the battle of Spain. The concept of an Islamic state was very much clear in our founding fathers and there is nothing wrong about it because in an Islamic State all citizens are treated equally. That is the very ideals of Islam.
I would also like to remove one more confusion, According to Pakistani constitution, a non muslim can become Prime Minister (PM), Chief Minister (CM), Minister, Advisor and whatever he wants to become except President and Governor (for which there are reasons). We are a parlimentary system, so if you want to work for the betterment of people of Pakistan, PM and CM are the best positions for that because they are the Chief Executives. So please, dont give wrong information. If you dont have knowledge, then remain silent on that.
I also think that those who do kidnappings for ransom dont consider religion before kidnapping a person. Muslims are also being kidnapped in this country. Unfortunately, these are the times we are living in. Dont complicate things by involving religion in it…
Totally agree with you Kapil, I belong to the so-called mainstream ‘Muslim Sect of Pakistan’, and i hate it when the orthodox are scared to own their own history just because that would mean they would have to find the right excuses for the hatred they have been creating in the minds of the young in the name of religion.
only a year back i came to know that the first national anthem of pakistan was written by a hindu on the request of Jinnah and shortly after that we were celebrating Jinnah day at our university, i decided to share this little fact, but unfortunately it was suggested that it should not be mentioned as it is controversial :S
our first law minister was a hindu, is a fact i get to know today :(, and i am sure the narrow minded will find sumthing to contradict it with.
I have honor of meeting few Pakistanis who are Hindus, and I say without any doubt in my mind that they are few of the best and most patriotic Pakitanis that I have ever come across. Not that they need certificate from anyone.
For general public who do not have the chance of meeting with them, please remember Justice Bhagwan Das and the integrity with which he discharged his duties.
Spot on Kapil! 5 out of 5!
And to those who are being skeptical of this, writer is not spreading negativity. The present religious discrimination in pakistan is because of narrow minded people who refuse to listen to reality unless it is tagged as being “Islamic”. And yes it does exist, come out of denial. So called Mullahs have exploited our people more than anyone else. They have more innocent blood on their hands than anyone else. The innocent blood of hindus, christians, ahmadis, sikhs, parsis ; their only misfortune was that they were on the wrong side of the border. An imaginary border drawn only in our minds. Tolerance is the only way forward people! Develop it before things get way out of hand.
@ Hadi Ansar
Islam does not require that non muslims be called “”zimmies.” Jews in Madina were not called zimmies.
this was done by some Muslims. Islam never asked for it
Objective Resolution was the first step by Liaqat to get away with the Secular Ideals, Bhutto then brought in all the fuel on earth for extremism, to let Zia make fire out of it, and burn the state in hatred lit fires…
@ kapil…
when i started to read this article i dint look at the author’s name, and as i was reading my class fellow’s words echoed in my ears.. and when i read kapil’s name in one of the comments.. i was like oooh so it’s u… very well written kapil….
What I can’t understand is why we must look at people as belonging to this or that religion. Can’t the state and its citizens see every citizen is a human being with equal rights?
Sad, just shows the dangers of defining a state and its citizens within a narrow definition of religious identity. That identity which is based more on exclusion rather than inclusion. Defining a person as a non-something rather than just a citizen is a terrible thing. Equality is not possible within a narrow definition, it has to be based on a more broader outlook like humanism, seeing every person as just an equal human and nothing else. I think the state’s religious identity has become so strong that it has simply forgotten its minorities. It seems that for the state, they don’t really matter. The state has abandoned a section of its citizens. There should be special provisions in any constitution to protect them and these should not be of a religious nature as the narrow identity of say religion, language, ethnicity, race is exclusive in nature, rather any such thing should be based on principles of equality of all human beings irrespective of any narrow definition. A lot of people might think that religion covers the whole of life, it doesnt, that is the danger, to make something all pervading when it isnt (as it is exclusive to those outside of it).
Nice article; however nothing new. when a state is based on religious principles, it acts as it is. The fact is, Pakistan was created on the principles of religion, i.e. to protect religious minorities from Hindu majority; not all the minorities, just Muslim minorities. Therefore, it is futile to believe it ever existed as a secular state and more insane to expect that people would have behaved differently. Even Jinnah had it been alive, would have changed in the due course. The proof is, what Zia did, helped him to retain the power. The subsequent governments could not undo it and still we are seeing the bar revering murderers like Qadri and banning Shenzen. This prevail to gross level if they are in the minds of many, and the fact is that Pakistan is no more a state but has an ambition to lead the cause of Islam, whcih eventually will result into the complete annhilation of it as a state…..
i dont agree , its not only us where miniorities get suppressed dude . cmon take a look around its everywhere in this globe . Even muslim would repress a muslim when it comes to which province you belong to, in the pakistan . so chill out , part of life . 🙂 cheers
and then we Muslims feel offended when France proposes their anti-veil law? if that’s not hypocritical, then nothing is! if we want equality, we’d have to start at our own home instead of throwing a tantrum when other nations of the world do what we have been doing ourselves…
@Skeptic: mate, read history…Jama’at-e-Islami opposed the idea of Pakistan…they only jumped on the bandwagon that was the Pakistan movement after it was evident that their support, or lack of it, had no bearing on how things would play out…and then they hijacked Pakistan and the philosophy behind it…
@narayana murthy: seriously? your identity is one of the most important things…if you loose it, you are no one…when you are no one, no one cares no matter how much you suffer…the first step towards solving the problems of the minorities is to acknowledge the minorities instead of just painting them all as ‘gher-muslim’…thats just sad!
Regards,
A Muslim Bloke…
I can only imagine the disillusionment of a Pakistani Hindu boy, sitting in a school listening to his teacher tell them about how Hindus and Muslims can never coexist peacefully together. . And what lessons do Muslim kids take from it? That’s the two nations theory, apparently the raison d’etre of Pakistan
Do we need Sherlock to figure out why there’s so much intolerance for religious ideologies other than Islam?
Good article Kapil, but asking about taking sides in india pakistan match doesn’t necessarily mean that your affiliation with pakistan is doubted. Nevertheless, going through the comments it is obvious that majority of pakistanis have open heart for minorities including me. Lets not make assumptions based on rare examples.
@javed:
he is absolutely right!! belonging to a minority sect in Pakistan i can tell you that the treatment we receive is pathetic…the phrase non-muslim has come to mean not belonging to Pakistan..even though we were born here, raised here, were educated here, and have been doing out part for this country and will continue to do so despite the small mindedness of some dumb people
Pakistan is an Islamic country and it’s constitution discriminates non-muslims. I think If pakistan is to survive, it should become secular.
Kapil, Seeing from your end, i think ur right.But its just not the Hindu-Muslim issue in Pakistan rite now.Our country is being divided on the basis of Language,cast,religion etc and by religion i dunt only mean Islam and Hinduism…..They are many divisions in Islam as well namely Sunni, Shias, Deobandis and Barelwis.So they is an overeall chaos in the system.I dunt know how but someone from somewhere has to stand up and has to finish these differences.
@javed: are you serious? you are going to pick on that one statement? The urdu word ghair translated into english does mean “other” and other generally contextualized does mean: “not one of your own”—he was making a point—yes the colloquial meaning of the word ghair musalman is simply that: “not muslim”—but, there is something to be said for semantics
Kapil: great article—I am sorry that other Pakistanis refuse to accept you as a Pakistani—I remember someone I once knew asking me: “how can Muslims play in the Indian team, do they not feel guilty about playing against a Muslim team?”—i didn’t know that religion had anything to do with patriotism—and playing for a team doesn’t make you anti-Muslims—I would expect every single Pakistani to be on the bandwagon to support the Pakistani team, irrespective of their religions—I am a born Pakistani and a naturalized Canadian—whenever there is a hockey match between Canada and the US, I support Canada—but whenever there is a cricket match between Pakistan and Canada, I support Pakistan (other than the obvious fact that Pakistan is a better and more experienced team than Canada)—-
You own as much part in the Hilel and Sitara as much as I do—and you should be proud to call yourself a Pakistani—Unfortunately, Pakistan is one nation that has been a true victim of misguided leadership of selfish motives—with not even the clearest Idea of what Islam says. Even by Islamic Law, you would still be a Pakistani—it saddens me
@RAW is WAR:
wow, really? that is some serious hate speech—how would you like it if Muslims all around the world started being persecuted and being told to leave because they have over-stayed their welcome—I deal with this sort of negative rhetoric living in the West and we sit here trying to ask for equal rights and screaming for it, when my fellow countrymen do the same to people of other races and religion–absolutely disgusting
Kapil bro,
These Mullahs will never let Pakistan to become a tolerant state so my brotherly advice to you is leave this country and go to place where you can become its president or the Prime Minister. By excluding non muslims for the elections of those prestigious positions, state has clearly shown discrimination towards them.
I would love to know why you want to be a Pakistani?
the article depicted the common perception we have about non-Muslims very well… we should understand that religion and nationality are two different perspectives….
Great article Kapil. I feel you!
Kapil,
I am a Pakistani Muslim (in that order) to me you are always Pakistani. That for me is the most important identity what follows after the Pakistani is irrelevant. If nothing else, I , at least consider you as my fellow country man. Please don’t lose heart or faith things will change and are changing. Thanks for writing this and keep up with informing people as through this debate attitudes will change. Please also take this to the Urdu and regional language press.
Peace!
until Pakistan adopts non. muslim state policy..u r not safe
Dude – there is no alternative. It should not have taken people with ‘other options’ 65 years to figure out that they are no longer welcome in the land of their forefathers. You need to see Pakistan as similar to any of the other Islamic countries in the world (pick any one) – you have ther right to seek a livelihood as a termporary resident with no rights – do not fall foul of the law (or the mobs) as you cannot expect true justice. If this upsets you, then exercise your options, there are many places in the world (including India, of course) where your religion does not matter. But I respect your anguish.
Kapil,
Work hard, save a lot of money, get out of Pakistan.
From 20% non-Muslims the number has come down to 3%. With growing radicalization you and your family will be sitting duck to the Taliban, God forbid, if they ever come to power.
And, there is a pretty good chance that a Taliban sympathizer will come to power in the next elections.
I know its hard to move out a Country that you have loved, but you have to be pragmatic in life. You have a lot to offer the World, seeing your writing.
@Pinky
‘Kapil, you are a Pakistani…”
That’s being economical with truth.
Kapil is a 2nd class Pakistani by the constitution.
And offering career options like medicine,engineering……Well thank god for small mercies.
A ‘ghair’ is someone who is a stranger.
Ghair-musalman implies BOTH being ‘not of’ and ‘not belonging with’ as strangers ‘do not belong with’.
In any case, you get the point he was making. The fact that 11 people gave your comment a thumbs up is appalling to see. In fact I believe by pointing out such a pedantic non-issue, you have given those who were stumped by the writer’s frankness and openness to root and rave about this triviality instead of grasp the bigger picture.
Well done. You’re spreading bigotry and ignorance.
The poor Muslims aren’t being persecuted or marginalized on the basis of their religion (oh unless they are Shia, Ismaili, or another denomination). Christians and other minorities ARE heavily discriminated against.
@Pakistani Hindu
‘We want secular Pakistan.”
You may want what you like, but the jury was out 1400 years ago.
Look for the exit door, for you and for your children.
I remember nawab bugti calling hindu residents of fort as part of bugti body. I never felt different from my hindu neighbours in sindh, but when i go to punjab, i see lots of intolerance among different muslim sects and againt ahmadis, christians, shias. Punjab should lead towards tolerant Pakistan.
Wonderful write up Kapil! I agree with ur point of view 100%
@AN:
how can you tell someone what their motherland is??? how would you like it if someone came up to you and told you to go live in arabia, your motherland, because you are amuslim?
you wouldnt like it would you?? so watch yourself!
Let me be honest, however hard you may try, they will never accept you as one unless you change your religion like Yousaf Youhana. They never accepted Dr. Abdus Salam as one of them despite all his achievements. I lived in Pakistan for 40 years with this hope that things will change but they are only deteriorating so I left the country a year ago. Some of us will always be the children of a lesser God.
Dear Kapil, though I respect your feelings, however, I tend to differ with you. If less than 1% Jews can dominate the American trade and politics, why can’t you guys think of the same. Jews have been brutalized time and again. However, still they are a force to reckon with. India never had more than 15-20 thousand British people in India. However, they ruled us all. Its not the number which matters. Its the resolve to succeed what matters. We Hindus of India have suffered multiple invasions and have been ruled by Muslims and British Christians, We never gave up. I will advise that you remain in Pakistan and struggle for the rights of minorities. Take some lessons from persons like Martin Luther King. I am sure Hindus of Pakistan are not as bad as the blacks were in America till 1960s. History is full of examples for such issues.
Ghair Muslim means somebody who is not a Muslim – there is nothing wrong with that. And please don’t distort jinnahs quotes for the creation of Pakistan. If Pakistan was to be secular, then why was it made? We could have just been one India. Even a lay man understands that.
@Skeptic: Seems like Allah took away the Sovereignty of East Pakistan from West Pakistan. So is it that Sovereignty belongs to Allah only if you gain power or does it work the other way round as well?
Hey Kapil, come to India or some western country(better option as citizenship is easier) with your family and help your extended family too before your children or grandchildren are forced to become mirs, khans,etc. Its a bitter truth.
It is a very heartfelt article… i agree to the animosity that kapil feels, sadly this state houses selfish people who disown one another very quickly. when will we realize that feeling hatred will lead us no where. 60 years have passed and we stand on square one. insecurity destroys us within ourselves and we need no outer force to harm us. Islam clearly says to give people of other religion and to their house of worship respect then who are we sinful people to disobey? Islamic state means that the majority living in this country are muslims and all islamic rituals can be practised. it however does not say that non muslims cannot live peacefully among us. they are afterall humans. in this century it is unfortunate to know that the human minds still belong stone age and are rigid to broad thinking. Pakistan is on the verge of make or break, our decisions now will decide the future we want for our generations. Is it blood shed or peace??
dude!!!!!!! i have some Hindu and christen friends ….honestly speaking no one discriminate them in our collages and universities …i am agree with there r some elements how r spreading hatred and target minorities tu fulfil there but believe me every single pakistani wants to see u happy and progressive ……..best of luck
And while I reiterate that I sympathize with your situation, can’t really blame a lot of Pakistanis for asking you which team you would support in an India-Pak cricket match, when your parents appear to have named you after an all-time Indian cricketing great :).
It is a scared duty of the majority to protect the minority at all cost. It is the burden that majority has to carry.
Every Pakistani knows that his /her country deliberately discriminates against the minority. Yet, they seek refuge in the name of Islam by quoting justice, tolerance, equity, protection etc. All of you know that is not what practiced in PAK.
Shame on all of you, for doing nothing.
You didn’t mention Bhutto’s role.
The only group which feels some what comfortable in Pakistan are the Sunnis. Hindus come at the bottom of the hierarchy after the ahmediyas even though they have a legitimate claim of being the followers of the ancient culture of this land and not a culture imported from Arabia. But that doesn’t count as forces foreign to original culture of the land dominate. There can be no good outcome in a situation like this. So better pack up and leave.
y would a pakistani hindu be ashamed when he/she is called an Indian. i can understand y a indian muslim would never want to be called a pakistani.
@javed:
Why there is a need/urge to identify someone (read fellow citizen) based on religion. Why one can’t simply be Pakistani? Why we have to identify as a non-muslim?
A very serious note!
New fashion amongst certain wannabes in Pakistan – talk against Islam, Pakistan and complain about how extreme and discriminatory Pakistan is, and you would appear modern, liberal and forward thinking. And the best forum to do it- ET! When in actuall fact theyre all a bunch of wannabes.
The non-Muslims or minorities know who they are and where they stand which is certainly not an enviable place. The tragedy today is that the religiously intolerant have created an atmosphere where a Muslim does not accept another Muslim as his brother and in his self-righteousness is willing to kill to justify his thinking.
Look at the picture, a christian is protesting against the burning of Qurans. Any muslim stand up for minorities when they are targeted?
Kapil Dev:
Yes you will be,the day Pakistanis like me start to matter,to whom you can belong to any religion and caste,that has nothing to do with state affairs.
Keep raising your voice Kapil,i am your fellow Muslim Pakistani and you don’t need any patriot certificate from anyone..not from Muslims,not form the state,you are son of the soil like i am but this is also the truth that the radicalized are in majority in our country..
The Worst tragedy is that the liberal and ultra-liberal people this country had ever had like Bhutto and Musharraf also did nothing about these issues and incase of Bhutto he rather exacerbated it to preserve his clout.. Hope some day we develop a sense of belonging and own these minorities.
Pakistan is hijacked by Rich millitry and fuedals of pakistan.
some time i think there was no need to creat a seprate country for muslims of india sun conti
nent.think i guess it was a poison injected in Hindus and muslims peoples for all most hudred
years that exploded finnaly in 1940 or may be the class diffrence created by English bet Hindu and Muslim was reason too… oh god knows but Mr Kipil Dev u are native pakistani like
any body else.
Great article.
Reforms are urgently needed. It’s an uphill battle against religious intolerance, prejudice and bigotry, which is widespread and persuasive in Pakistan, and sadly condoned by the state due to an adopted dogmatic religious narrative. Be it in barring Hindu or Christian minorities from positions, or discriminating against Ahmadis in passports. Then there’s the everyday ignorance, hypocrisy and the frequent violence.
I’m personally pessimistic, considering even now the growing intolerance against minority non-Sunni Muslims, such as Shia Muslims, by a Sunni majority that is growing more and more religiously conservative, adopting specific negative beliefs from Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Barelvi sub-sects. Even if a moderate or liberal Sunni Muslim were to stand up for the rights of minorities, they sadly get targeted too by extremists.
You are more Pakistani than any of these Muslims who don’t even care for Pakistan.
Very nice effort Kapil and you have put the situation in words perfectly. Highlights the Problems with Pakistan doesn’t necessary mean that we are “only” condemning the country, it means that we are aware and that we want to change it , and only by doing that Pakistan can be a secure place for Muslims and others minorities, who have or should have equal right and respect 🙂
@IndiKid
There are others too like Shiekhs and Rajput Assad Ali…
@Kapil Dev,
I will advised u man never ever go to india if u need some examples in Mir pur khas who migrated to india and came back with in months because of low castes.
@Rajendra kulkande
Jews of america are just blame man christians too are against muslims and taking revange of crusade wars..
Great way to describe plight of minorties in pakistan being muslim i feel sorry for u but i hope one day come one we have practically secular society which will ensure everyone respect being pakistan regardless of religous discrimination all above comments shows that our society is marching towards positivity thats amazing……..
Glad you came up with this Kapil 🙂
@Nadeem: I had been asked the same question before the world cup semi-final by colleagues at my university which supposedly inducts the most sophisticated and enlightened students in our country. God knows how the poor guys living in the slums, populated by the educationally deprived, are treated like! 🙁
@Osman: Really? Ghair in this context means “not”. Like ghair janibdar, not ghair as in stranger. Its really important considering you are living in Pakistan. Criticizing Pakistan and Pakistanis, is all well and really needed in today’s society, but lets be fair about it, dont make things up just to criticize for the heck of it, as you go along.
@sick of this nonsense:
What you say doesn’t matter much, Sick. What matters is what extent you are willing to risk yourself and your family to oppose the extremists. Otherwise you allow them to re-shape your religion and your country to their own will.
Minorities allways complains any where in the world why is that????
@Ali:
The hybrid “Mullahtary”, which has gained widespread currency, seems more appropriate than the two Ms (Mullahs and Military) as far as Pakistan is concerned. I can only say: God save Pakistan. By mixing up religion and state — separating the state and Church has been the best policy and it works everywhere — Pakistan is headed towards a Medieval society where righteousness and civilized behaviour will be gradually and steadily replaced by barbarism and fanaticism with absolutely zero tolerance toward people of different faiths and also toward women whose place, as one fanatic mullah was recently screaming, is “inside a cage”. In that respect, Pakistan looks a poor show compared to the tolerance practised — despite all the negative propaganda by Pakistan’s mullahs and military — in India which has seen three Muslim Presidents, a lady President, a Sikh Prime Minister in a country which has a predominantly Hindu majority (nearly 85%). No wonder, Indian Muslims and even Kashmiris have become wary of Pakistan which has become synonymous with a failed state. What a waste of precious 65 years since Independence? Was it worth the separation if the intention was to create an Islamic state run by extremists and not a state for Muslims, as Kapil rightly points out?
@Waqas
Most likely he (that Christian in the picture) is doing it to earn a few precious points to save his life,property and honour.A Muslim in Pakistan has no incentive in doing a simillar act of solidarity.Common sense, my dear.
@narayana murthy:
You should give the same suggestion to Muslims in India.
@Osman:
Shias or Ismailis are the least persecuted of minorities.
Very well written. The article depicts a clear picture of religious minorities in Pakistan. Mr Jogindarnath Mandal had resigned in as Law Minister, protesting against the passing of the Objective resolution. This resolution has not done as much damage to religious minorities as it has done to Pakistan. Separation of East Pakistan in 1971 and infighting going on between provinces and every other issue which has brought this country to present condition is due to a direct or indirect implication of this resolution.
I belong to Shia minority, and I agree with people who advise you to migrate for better future (there is nothing un patriotic about it, never let man made boundaries impose on your free will). But let me warn you no matter where you end up, if you were born and raised in Pakistan, you will always live there in spirit. That’s just human nature. Now this is the reason I’m more aware about Pakistan even though I don’t meet a Pakistani or Muslims sometimes for months and months.
You are a Pakistani Kapil
Don’t let these parhay likhay jahil people to get to you
@Skeptic: dude check out how religious your founding father Qaid-d-Azam Jinnah was. He was a secular person. Check the history and the intellectuals who have written on it. Don’t be emotional here. Objective resolution killed Jinnah’s Pakistan. Unfortunately it is fast becoming Taliban’s Pakistan
@Pakistani: dude check out all the latest news where the minority girls are kidnapped and raped. After rape they are taken to Qazi and forced to get married to a muslim person..http://barenakedislam.com/2012/01/18/rape-jihad-forced-conversions-of-hindu-girlswomen-to-islam/ ….and for your information No Non-Muslim can become prime minister.
Here a news link for you – http://www.christiannewstoday.com/ChristianNewsReport_16.html
So get your facts correct. Don’t live in state of deniel.
I don’t understand as soon as someone says there are atrocities done to minorities, every start shouting “Atrocities are happening to muslims as well”. Those uneducated literate people should give a little more stress on their tiny brain. Abduction of girls for conversion, not able to become prime minister, hate speeches against minorities,etc,etc,etc are problem faced by minorities not majority !!!! Don’t compare apple from oranges.
You don’t need a certificate from anyone to be called a Pakistani. You are Pakistani, if you want to be. The country is in bad state and all of us need to pull our weight (some harder than others) to bring it through it. No one said it will be easy. A nation needs blood sweat and toil to rise. Are you wIth me Kapila?
Kapil, you are my brother. you are a pakistani. we love you. and beg for forgiveness for the behavior of others.
@javed: The question that u r ignoring is why people like u r not called non-hindu or non-sikh or non-christian? Try answering that first and then speak.
It’s sad to see comments n article that reflect that being a Muslim means not respecting or accepting other religions n beliefs, in essence a muslim state means that all minorities have complete rights, ofcourse the religion itself has been misinterpreted so much that alot of Muslims don’t even know what truly Islam is. Fact is Islam teaches tolerance n respect, Islam teaches us to be a better human being , let’s not forget we are humans first ! Respect humanity!
Kapil I apologize on behalf of all discriminating people!
pragmatic : I have read in ET itself that Pakistani muslims themselves, in western countries, claim to be Indian. Then how would a Pakistani hindu be bold enough to claim to be a Pakistani. Forget about Indian muslims, they are Indian, they claim they are Indian everywhere and the rest of India proudly accepts and stand by them. There is no need to doubt their claim or loyalty to India. The biggest show of their loyalty to India was to remain in India during the partition and thereafter.
Dear Kapil, you & every Pakistani is my brother regardless of Religion, caste or Language. I ahve been in a group consisteing of people from all over Pakistan & from all religions in the last dew years, I feel proud of my Non-Muslim brothers more than the Muslims, I always say to Muslims , if you want to make Pakistan the one one Quaid wanted, atleast give the minorities 8 to 10% representation in National Assembly, InshALLAH we will work together & remove these misconceptions from the minds of all, all of su are Pakistanis, even if you talk Islamicly, Islam teaches that alol citizens are equal whether they be Muslims or not, one more thing brothe always try to show all that you are always proud of Pakistan , so these fools would never ask you again the whether you will support Pakistan or India.
Pakistan Zindabad
Nice… i can understand your feelings…. keep it up… one day you will success and achieve your destination… this article is on step towards your rights..
I don’t think the Quaid asked for an Islamic state because he himself was not much of a practicing Muslim. He ate ham sandwiches and drank whiskey in public. He wanted a separate homeland for the Muslims because he finally became convinced that in India, Muslims would not get a fair deal. He was however, a great man who was criticized and pilloried by the fundos who have hijacked the political narrative since then.
I love the comment about non Muslims being called Zimmies. We, the Muslims should be responsible (zimmedar) for all minorities. In fact almost all of us are minorities in one way or other; some on linguistic lines, others on sects, religions, financial standing and cultural lines. Pakistan Zindabad.
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
My friend – anti-semitism was dealt heavily with in the aftermath of WWII in several Western countries, but the Jewish lobby is present only in the US, which was a relatively new country formed as a melting pot of immigrants; there homogenity was never a strong point, and they had the African-Americans as obvious targets for their discrimination. The Jews influence US policy making because they are organized, wealthy, well-educated, because the US is a secular nation and it sees itself as a protector of Israel. To compare a liberal, secular nation like the US with a theocratic torture chamber like Pakistan is really rubbing salt into this poor guys’ wounds.
@Nasir:
You don’t get the point – and the fact that you like the ‘Zimmi’ point shows the basic problem in Islamic societies. Why should anyone be called anything and why should you have responsibility for someone else – the state should ensure equality and freedom for all. The fact is that there are several references in the Quran and hadiths that breed hatred and intolerance (based on discrimating against/ killing non-muslims for one reason or the other), and you refuse to recognize this by defending those under a historical or allegorical context, or by immediately bringing up the Crusades or the Holocaust or Kashmir or Spain or some such diversion. There is no hope for people of this mindset.
what is your definition of Islamic state by the way??????
Pakistan was created as an Islamic state for muslims and an islamic state promises full rights to any minority which unfortunately is not happening today but that does not give you any right to talk controversial about basic ideology of Pakistan.
@vasan:
Not me. Maybe some.
I also know of Indians who claim to be Pakistanis to be in our groups at foreign universities.
See what i did there.
I hope you are intelligent enough to decipher that
Kapil Salaam Peace Thanks for being brave and for enlightening us Many of my relatives fought for the creation Part of the Khilfat Movement They were Maulanas NOT Mullah It is the same people that divide us as Baloch/Muhajir/Punjabi/shia/sunni From a big family so I have some shia in family We lived in peace with Hindus in UP; still do
I hope that the day comes Insh Allah that you would not have to write this AAmeen
Ekbal Los Angeles
You are already Pakistani. More than Pakistani, you are the responsibility of all Muslim Pakistanis. They will take care of you. You should respect Islam and learn all about the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who was the light of all mankind, including Hindus like you. By showing respect to Islam and to Muslims, you will earn the right to full protection. You are so lucky to live in an Islamic nation!! You must show proper gratitude. Sometimes Muslims may make mistakes but Muslims are on the right path, so your rights are fully protected.
I have a simple solution..embrace islam or keep suffering …
this article is reality.. i myself is victim of such biases…
@ Maheen: hahaaa..I know what you mean…I was in UK for something like 4 years and seeing Muslims get extremely worked up over any form of xenophobia, I could not help but wonder how people in our own country behave…we seem to consider it our divine right to be given freedom to practice our religion and our way of life where ever we go but when it is our turn to allow people from other faiths or cultures to go about with their lives the way their faith or culture tells them to, we are up in arms against it…if our beliefs are so fickle that a minority group of people not living according to our beliefs can ‘corrupt’ our way of life, then its a problem with us and our conviction to our beliefs and others should not be prosecuted for it…but heh, I see that happening just after the cow jumps over the moon and we see pigs sprout wings and take to the skies…people in Pakistan are uncompromising and that’s a fact!
@Kapil Dev: nice article mate, I hope one day the Muslims of Pakistan would get some sense and stop discriminating against people from other faiths…in the short term, I don’t see that happening…but hope springs eternal in the human breast so lets hope that some miracle leads to equality for all during our life-times 🙂
@sherry: He has every right to talk, especially as he who should be a beneficiary is today an aggrieved party because the basic ideology of Pakistan has been distorted by intolerant self serving people.
@Wonderer : “I would love to know why you want to be a Pakistani?”
May be because his forefathers lived in this land for generations since Indus Valley Civilisation
May its your name “Kapil Dev”, get it 😉
Good work Kapil! Your thoughts and fears are genuine. I fully agree with every problem that you pointed out. Belonging to the Hindu community you expressed the problems with Hindu community eloquently. But this problem is equally valid for other communities as well.
@javed:
I think in the race to improve your english you have lost your sense of understanding Urdu … What does mean “Ghair” !!! Please speak sense , your ignorance to this subject or deliberate ignorance spread more negativity than the author of this article ….
@ Kapil
Thumbs for this article.. . you must write occasionally, i must say!
+ its sad that since very inception our government has been trying to make Pakistan dictator cum theocratic state! that’s where it has gone wrong.. .
Quaid-e-Azam always supported democracy not THEOCRACY.. .
we feel for u Kapil. u are 100% right about the sad plight of minorities here. unfortunately, a change is not likely in your or my lifetime…
Bhago, Kapil bhago.
Kapil!
Things happen and things will keep on happening…All I can assure you as a Pakistani and a Muslim that no matter what happens people like me will keep on standing by you. And you will find many MEs all your life…
You are as Pakistani as Hammad Maqsood Zia Ul haq or Asif ALi Zardari…And I believe I am Pakistan and you are Pakistan..
Bless you pal……
There is a dire need to change ‘madrassa mentality’ of people that was defused in minds of them during Zia erra.
@ Kapil,
Agreed dear… Pakistan is being considered as the community property by some fundamentalists, who believe as if Pakistan was handed over to them as a divine gift, but actually it’s not so… Whether or not Islamic, Pakistan is a Republic, and the duty of a Republic is to provide the total freedom of belief and expression to all it’s citizens, regardless of color and creed. Even if if it was an Islamic State, the responsibility of the state would have been more important in terms of equality, fraternity and freedom, for Islam is not the Religion of Hatred, propaganda and terror but, it’s a religion of peace, freedom and equality of whole humanity and not of/for Muslims only.
Those who have any approach towards Islam which is narrowed down to the Tomb of a Mosque as a sign of purity and the door-steps of a Temple to “SIN”, are quite misguided themselves. We’d better never pay attention to their nonsense voices. But to your cry against the continuous mishaps against the Minorities in Pakistan, we are with you as brothers, not as Muslims of-course for Islam teaches us the lesson of humanity-first. Those who do not believe in this fact are out of premises of Islam
Did I post my comment a little while ago, and it had my E-mail address
@Kapil
Brother here is something that might hurt you (& some of my liberal friends) but it would set you free.
A “country” founded on the name of religion can never be secular. It can never be a classical ”nation state” even. This was a historical blunder and a crime against poor toiling masses of subcontinent and an achievement for British Imperialism along with a handful of Muslim Feudals and Capitalists (The Muslim Bourgeoisie), who wanted a “pure” market free of competition.
This artificial division can only be abolished by a struggle of working class of subcontinent on class basis against capitalism, imperialism and the very concept of nation state.
Only a Socialist Federation of South Asia can guarantee happiness and property.
I am a atheist from a Indian christian background. I know the Christians would also discriminate against the Muslims if they were the majority. Actually christians have a even more stronger dislike of polytheistic religions. I seem even more extreme attitudes among Arab Christians. European Christians went though the religious wars and the enlightenment before they became moderate. The Portuguese forcibly converted Hindus to Christianity.
@javed: Consider yourself a part of hindu social group and being termed a “non-hindu” instead of Muslim. Or consider yourself a part of female group and being termed as a “non-female” instead of male.
Maybe this way you’d develop a little empathy for other social groups.
all these people who are telling you to leave pakistan are wrong. you belong here like the rest of us. i would not be surprised if these posters are from across the border since they are obsessed with pakistan on every online forum. but remember. you are pakistani. for all times to come. let nobody tell you otherwise.
@Shehryar:
So how much more blood will pakistan drink? Will it ever get its fill and stop drinking blood?
You are as much Pakistani as everyone else. Countries can’t be divided based on religions and sects. We are all Pakistanis no matter what religion we believe in. Religion is everyones personal preference and in most cases people are born into it.
Hats off to the person for writng this article!
No wonder why today Pakistan is in this condition . People who call themselves’muslims liiving in ppakistan’ deserve to hang themselves for committing this crime.today we have lost our identity and values..maybe we never had one. If minorities are treated this way in our country then it can be assumed that we never discovered the teachings of our religion. Kapil, being a pakistani, I would like to apologize from you. Yes we have given you a very hard time here but honestly things were never in our hands to change.
Kapil:)
@Pinky:
The fact that he cannot become the Prez, PM or COAS of Pakistan itself is discrimination
on the basis of religion.
Which means The Islamic Republic of Pakistan promotes and supports discrimination on the
basis of religion.
And you say it is not “all-pervasive”? Wake up and smell the coffee.
Good article. On the other hand, some of the comments are very harsh. It is quite ironic that we are often very concerned about the rights of Muslims in the Western world — and demand that they should have religious freedom (e.g. the purdah in France). Yet we are not willing to grant the equivalent rights to the Hindus and Christians in Pakistan. And it is not only the matter of the right to practice one’s religion that is violated quite commonly here, but also the civil and political rights of various religious minorities.
Sir, one thing you’ll always be is, the 1983 World Cup hero. 🙂
Being a non-muslim in Pakistan I was always a victim of my so called best-friends who would tell me without any hesistance that I will go to hell and they would go to heaven. One of my friends even had the courtesy to ask me to bring my holy book for her. On my query to what she wishes to do with it. she said I want to throw it in dust bin. So please stop defending the rough attitude of your fellow muslims, you will only know how it hurts when you are not a muslim in Pakistan
being an Ahmadi Muslim i can feel your pain.my sympathies.May God gives you patience to bear this discrimination.amen
Sana I’m really sorry to hear about it but even literate people living in Pakistan lack knowledge of how to treat people of other religions. Maybe due to their attitude, today not even Pakistan but being a Muslim in Pakistan is looked upon as a sign of shame. Every religion teaches peace and tolerance. God knows who gives us the right to question people about their religion. Sana people who call themselves Muslims and treat you this way don’t even know about their religion because it teaches us ‘to respect other religions’ and it has gone as far as ‘to allow those trades and practices to non-Muslims which are even forbidden in Islam’ .I apologize for this harsh attitude, which you have to face from so called literate people living in this country.
“If the minorities had been secure, the ratio of their population would not have dipped down to a meager four percent from 15 percent at the time of independence. The reason is that a vast majority of the Hindu population has migrated to India or other countries because they are targeted by kidnappers for ransom; there is forced conversion of young Hindu girls to Islam and biased attitude towards to them in day to day life.”
I am surprised why nobody at ET objected to the blatant lie written in this article. Yes of course at the time of independence Minority population was about 15-17% but how much was in west Pakistan? About 4%. The rest with the partition separated and remained in Bangladesh. Most of the migrations which happened from Pakistan to India between 1941-1951 happened from East Pakistan.
I think the HRG’s are more active in Pakistan than anywhere else in the world and the world media also aggressively highlights any HR violations in Pakistan, I am surprised your women are being abducted, forcibly converted and then married by Muslims but no Human Rights group ever highlighted this before.
When you wrote about CHristian persecution may be you were referring to India where churches are regularly vandalized and sometimes burned down in reaction to christian missionaries. I haven’t heard of any such incidence in Pakistan.
The abduction of Hindu merchants in interior sind is not a minority issue, anybody who has wealth gets targeted and abducted and the (persecuted and victimized Hindus) are the most wealth group in certain pockets of interior Sind.
@Rajendra Kalkhande: In all,charity I can muster,you have no clue,of history or religion,nor you have any clue of USA ,Hindu/India or the psych of people residing in sub-continent.Western civilization and society structure,mores,ethics ,sense of fair play,minority rights and equal before law are concept align to this part of world.Pakistan did start on right track,15% became 1% ,go figure,in USA Minority will be soon(2040),Latinos will be majority,they do not kill and force people to convert,so stop being naive and spread un warranted mis -infomation.As I said I’m in charitable mood today,have a nice day,Kapil,LEAVE, before you can,I know it is not that easy,but You must, try,don’t be fooled by mis-infomation.Cheers.
I have immense respect for Pakistani news outlet and T.E. and The Dawn have special soft corner in my heart.I have lot more respect for Pakistan on account of these free out let of thinking,and there is negative side effect,many ignorant bigots get out lets for their hate and bigotry.We are thus, have to take good with bad,the world exists in duality,for sure.As I’m retired I dwell a lot on my first 25 years of my stay in sub-continent.I have come to the conclusion,our main problem,stem from 3 aspects our existence(1)Religion (2)Foreign subjugation for almost 1400 years (3) inability to control our 1700 million population.All our future effort are going to be diluted and not likely to bear any substantial difference,towards progress and are not likely to bear fruits..We can not offer effective education,health care,find jobs for our teeming million,can not mount a transparent,accountable,non corrupt GOVT,provide security,provide meaningful safety and security to minority,leave alone jobs,this is a chronic unsolvable,mill stone around our life and neck,and face it it, likely to get much worse as with years .So to all who have any drive or who understand survival instinct ,do what I did which came naturally to me,in1965,things have progressively gotten worse.I say this with malice towards none,ladies and gentlemen ,only facts as I see it,NO axe to grind,no one to blame,strictly “I look out for myself,that we owe to ourself.Inn Rand,once said’in a way selfishness is virtue as no one is out to look out for you,except self” Enough said.
@RAW is WAR:
As an American perhaps we should say the same to Muslims? How about Europe joining us? YOU are not welcome in our lands. Your views reinforce our perception that you are barbarians.
@javed:
Doesn’t the term still alienate as for example constantly being called a “valeti” from “desi/valeti”?
Buddy, Pakistan was created as a Muslim State! And Jinnah did want Pakistan to follow the system of khilafat! However, having it a muslim state definitely doesn’t mean that you lack rights. Islam does mean treating non muslims with respect and justice. I agree, Jinnah would not be happy now especially when we people have basically become animals. In a muslim state, you are guaranteed your rights, respect, and justice. What we have in Pakistan is nothing but anarchy. Please don’t misunderstand this so called Pakistan with what our founding fathers wanted! If you are a Pakistani as in you love Pakistan, you are my brother and I have full respect for you!
Why Pakistan has become a disaster is because we have forgotten our religion! We muslims belong from a religion where Hazrat Ali being a Caliph loses a case to a non muslim even though Hazrat Ali was right.
Kapil, there’s nothing rong with your questions and complaint,since whatever you say are hardcore facts.
Since the author starts with cricket,we need to make some introspection as a nation, not to forget the controversy Shoaib Malik created in 2007 when he apologized to the people of Pakistan and MUSLIMS for not winning the T-20 World Cup, plus whatever Sohail Tanvir said about mentality of Hindus after IPL snup in 2010. In latter case, after revelations made by Lalit Modi few weeks back,BCCI and IPL did receive criticism from other nations too;but why should we not notice the pathetic mindset among our players and celebrities…I don’t know the reason why Indian media didn’t highlight Tanvir’s remarks the way they would do in case of Afridi one year later;but had someone said the same thing in UK,Australia or South Africa then he would have witnessed severe charges and consequences.
And many people may abuse Kapil since he tried to remind us about the personality and ambitions of Quaid-e-Azam.Whereas, many among us might think that Jinnah belongs to only Muslims of Pakistan and no one else had got any right to call him his/her leader. These Mullahs have tarnished the image of Islam,Pakistan,Jinnah and Iqbal. I tell from my own experiences,such sort of bigotry is present among a number of Pakistanis and Muslims living in the Western world too. I have few friends who regularly attend lectures by Al-Huda and Al-Maghrib…Infront of them I showed my dislike towards the way you can’t have freedom of religion in Muslim nations, and instead there’s punishment of death for apostasy which’s totally non-Quranic, in Pakistan,Saudi Arabia and other Muslim nations.At which,they gave shocking replies that bro this is Shariah,you can’t leave anyone who leaves Islam alive…..and you have to follow this method.
Reading all these comments, I feel so jealous of you that your Muslim brothers so love you. Here in India, if you were a Muslim, nobody would care for you or for your feelings. 🙁
The writer has very clearly depicted the bias and intolerance exist in our society. I agree with him, however we all as a nation would have to fight the mindset, which have distorted the entire history and has destroyed the very essence of Pakistan. Hindus, Christians and Muslims all are the citizens of the country and one day the dream to provide full rights to everyone would come true. Long live Pakistan.
Kapil…Really appreciable steps to highlight the monitories rights… I am agree with you this is necessity in this courtly to highlight the monitories rights. Keep it up we are with you
Kapil…. I am agreeing with you I this country… the rights of minority’s always debased in this country. Still state are failed to protect the minorities.
Welcome to the Club!!!
Dear Kapil,
Your daughters and sisters have a better chance of being Pakistani than you have, by the grace of god.It’s not as bleak as you think.
As the slogan goes ‘pakistan ka matlab kya…..’ The matlab of Pakistan is to wipe out infidelity and leave only submission to Islam so you are an inferior creature to be slowly wiped from the face of Pakistan or kept in debased subjugation to show the inferiority of ghair musalmaan log.
Until Pakistan becomes a national state rather than an ideological religious state you will always be a tolerated inferior dhimmi….
Kapil you write up is thought provoking.I really want to say onething that how can we expect good terms with india when we unable to accomodate our hindu brothers in our country who sacrificed like others for this country.our society has very low calibre they judge , respect and see the human beings in terms of caste , colour , religion. thatswhy we are suffering . as you mentioned , ‘ there is dire need to own the minorities,and curriculum should be revised’. My humble request to society wake up and smell the coffee. This is ripe time to raise our voices for such issues which are the ingredients of instabiltiy in Pakistan.
Dear Pakistani friends,
I am an Indian speaking tamil living in western Tamilnadu .
Iam a Hindu . Hinduism has evolved over a period of 5,000 years . India is a secular republic , Muslims here enjoy much more rights than in many islamic countries .
Zakir Hussian, Fakruddin Ali Ahmed and Abdul Kalam were presidents of India , How is this possible ? Even though India is 85% Hindu country !!! BECAUSE Hindus are broad minded ! Do you know in Hindu temples preacher does not talk politics ? No hate speeches are delivered in the Temples !
When sultans ruled India for more than 700 years more than 35,000 Temples were demolished ! millions were killed ! millions were forcibly converted ! ONLY Emperor Akbar was SECULAR !
have U read the book by Tarek Fatah – Chasing a Mirage , A Tragic illusion of an Islamic State ? The author is a pakistani settled in Canada !
Tarek fatah urges Muslims all the over the world to differentiate between state of Islam and islamic state . state of Islam is spiritual and the islamic state means politics . whenever muslims tried to established islamic states lot of Muslim blood flowed !!!
1400 years have passed since islam was introduced ! so much violence
At the time independence (1947) in India Muslims were 4 % today they constitue about 13 % . They demand more rights . they are given scholarships for higher studies , bank loans @ subsidised rate and yet many Indian Muslims dream of converting India into Islamic state !
In pakistan it is exactly opposite !!! Hindus have been marginalised ! Hindus are faithful to the countries in which they live ! Hindus have made remarkable progress in Science , medicine , Engineering , arts & literature !!!
Today pakistan is 97 % Muslim country ! what pakistan has achieved by converting non-muslims and killing people of other Muslim sects . The world is changing fast , at the touch of a button one can get information about anything . Internet awash with information about fundamentalism & terror. Pakistan can not and should not remail aloof !
Is it possible to convert all the people of the world ? you should accept all the cultures of the world !
Jarawa tribe live in Andaman & Nicobar islands for the past 50,000 years . they have their own wisdom !!! Hinduism has absorbed many great wisdoms for the past five thousand years !
Stable and Prosperous Pakistan is good for India too !
Don’t discriminate any body based religion,race, colur , caste & creed !!
I wish all Pakistani friends a bright future .
ONE CREED – ONE GOD ! – Thirumoolar ( a tamil poet lived 3000 years ago )
Realy fact presented by u (Kapil), Great lines keep it up till we get our proper place.In history always writers and poets chagned the scenario of community.
@Pakistani:
SO true
Great words reflecting reality
awesome Kapil!
The fact that has been discussed in the blog is the real story of the county. i think this phenomenon is the creation of the state itself. Because it needs uniformity rather unity in the state. It does not recognize the “other” diverse groups. This is not the case with the groups on the base of religion only. minor groups like sindhi, Baloch, Pashtoon etc are also dealt like that, no one can call himself a Baloch because the nation wants the same outdated slogan of national integrity. I think there is no any nation which is based on religion, if it is the case then all the Muslim countries should be assimilated in one nation state.
@kapil
i know bro that the condition of hindus is very very bad in pakistan.. They don’t enjoy equal rights, and most of them have been forcefully converted to islam.. Plus many other don’t have any option other than conversion to avoid hate and discrimination..and few to get jobs..
But bro the best you can do is leave that country.. If you’r capable, migrate to india..and even bring your fellow hindu counterparts to india.. You’r welcome with open hands.
Dear Kapil,
Your daughters and sisters have a better chance of being Pakistani than you have, by the grace of god.It’s not as bleak as you think.
Read between the lines.
Dear Kapil, I dont know why you are making noise of a simple question that may be asked by your friends/colleagues in softer tone (me dont like it & never asked these type of questions from my Hindu/christian friends). But whatever said you later on is not a ‘complete truth’. Its simply exaggeration of situation & attitudes of some people who are minority in numbers. I belong to Interior Sindh and know what position ‘Hindu community’ (Banya’s specially) hold specially in economic sphere of Interior Sindh’s life. The farmers (muslims) there, are simply the slaves of your ‘Peddi Masters’ (the business man that give money, fertilizers & medicines on exorbitant Interest to farmers and purchase their Crops in advance on very cheap prices). Does anybody of above know at what Interest? It ranges from 5-6 % monthly i.e. more than 60% p.a….! Secondly you holds various positions in Administration of Sindh. Every 3rd Doctor in sindh is a Hindu. A sizable No. in Income Tax/ Sales Tax Dept, Excise Dept and in DMG group and dont you know how many are in CA profession now a days?. Majority of above commentators are simply dumbbed people in my view that always annoyed on Mullah whether they have full knowledge of situation/matter or not. Same is the case with Cristians specailly in Karachi. Majority of them are in MNC’s and big companies. Parsies are business tycone of the city.
I reckon you all as Pakistani. and I know majority think the same for you. Can you deny the above facts?.
I appreciate you by voicing your feelings about religion discrimination in Pakistan. u said that Non Muslims means “the one who is not our own”. it does not mean Hindus are not our own,it means that the one who is not Muslim…I fellow you as a Pakistani coz religion and Nationality are definitely quite different perspectives.
@Cynical:
Got it first time around, but second post might help others.
I am muslim. and I agree with every word you have said and our Quaid thought about this state.
separate the church from the state or we shall see endless persecution of our fellow brother ahmedis, christians and hindus.
sorry kapil. we have let you down.
@Maheen: Don’t take RAW’s words personally. He said whatever he said out of disappointment, not hate. I almost wanted to say the same thing.
@FreedomOfheresy: haha interesting perspective. Nevertheless, our Fuhrer was an expedient guy. I kinda like him.
@ Kapil: Sorry for your struggles and thank you for your perseverance. We need to stand together to make this country bearable for all humans, regardless of caste, creed or color.
I am a muslim living in India. I never felt the same.
I am proud to be a muslim and Indian.
Kapil, everything you’ve said is spot on. There will never be a regulation to protect the rights or minorities. The only option is to leave Pakistan while you still can.
@Kapil in sindhi a quote is “ridhan agyan rabaab wajaeen” I think you are doing exactly same thing against them. From international media perspective I must say good job.
@Skeptic:
which world are you living in….
Kapil, I don’t know with what mouth I can beg your forgiveness. The same mouth that guaranteed you the freedom to go to your temples without fear of persecution?
That was Quaid E Azam and Ayub Khan and Zia Ul Haq spat on his grave by the Islamicization process they initiated. It is interesting to note the word Islamic Republic was never attached to Pakistan until Quaid E Azam and Liaqat Ali Khan died.
Look at the blasphemy law for example. A tool to frame minorities and convert innocent Hindus but we can’t repeal them because of the terrorist’s influence.
Pakistan was created on the basis of equality for everyone and look what crime we have committed, how we have persecuted innocent Christians and Hindus. I beg forgiveness Kapil Dev my brother. I don’t know what you’ll do in the face of such utter bias against you and your community but please don’t leave Pakistan. If you leave Hindus will become weaker and weaker.
No matter what you do remember, there were some Muslims who condemned what was taking place against minorities stoutly and stood by your side. We are sorry.
To me you are always a Pakistani. Minorities shouldn’t be questioned where they are from, in 60 years we haven’t even been able to win over our Hindu brothers. Please forgive us.
Pakistan has become what it ran from
The fault lies in the education and in the media see how ‘minorities’ are portrayed there.
Who will right these wrongs
By the way lots of people incl Christians are asked who they support in these matches.
But those asking are usually the fools who think being a good citizen is mainly supporting the cricket team not really acting on doing good civic works
First of all, Indian Muslim is not equal to Pakistani Hindu. In 1947 when British left, Indian Republic was still created on basis of secular values and not just as nation for Hindus or to be ruled by laws of Manu Smriti. The Indian whose religion of choice was Islam was not denied of his birthright and his ancestors’ birthright for thousands of generations to the land of India, which was his land even before his ancestors converted to Islam. Therefore there is no reason for an Indian Muslim to not feel patriotic about India.
Matter is different for Pakistani Hindu isn’t it so? The whole concept of Pakistan is at its core anti-Hindu. Jinnah was only concerned about the domination/subjugation of Indian Muslims in independent undivided India. Once he got his Pakistan, he may have made some speeches to score some brownie points on global stage, but there was never any real concern for the new Hindu/Sikh minority within Pakistan. Pak was down slippery path of fascism from day one of its conception.
Now Kapil, I understand that with livelihood and everything invested in one’s ancestral land (which happens to be Pakistan now but was historically always for thousands of years India) you have to lie about being a patriotic Pakistani. I see you have quoted Jogendranath Mondol as Jinnah’s first law minister. Also mention how in 1948 he resigned and fled to India. The story in Pakistan for Hindus, Sikhs, Christians, Bahais, Parsees, Jews, Ahmedis, is clear. GET OUT!!
Excuse me!!! then what this two nation theory is all about??? Pakistan is created in the name of Islam That’s why thousands of people migrated from India to Pakistan. But of course minorities should have given all the rights.
Kapil I fully agree with you..!!