Many Hindus Are Leaving Pakistan
By Amir Mir, Outlook, January 23, 2006
http://www.outlookindia.com/full.asp?fodname=20060123&fname=Cover+Story&sid=2
Human rights activists are perturbed by the erosion of minority rights,
particularly the alarming frequency with which cases of forcible conversion of
Hindu girls are surfacing. Ansar Buney, chairman of the Ansar Buney Welfare
Trust, is dismayed: "Its heart-rending to see forced conversion of Hindus to
Islam, since the Pakistan that Jinnah had envisioned granted absolute religious
freedom to the minorities." He then asks, "Have you ever heard of an Indian
Muslim girl being forced to embrace Hinduism?"
I.A. Rehman, director of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, links the
erosion of minority rights to the process of Islamisation that the military
regime, under President Zia-ul-Haq, initiated in the eighties. Pakistan was
declared an Islamic republic, its social and political life was influenced by
the Islamist agenda; the Hindus have had fewer privileges and rights since
then. "Apparently, cultural marginalisation, discrimination, economic hardships
and religious persecution have resulted in many Hindus leaving Pakistan,
especially those in Sindh. The Musharraf-led government needs to stop the
continued social oppression of the religious minorities here," Rehman told
Outlook.
Aurat Foundations Nuzzhat Shirin too blames Islamic fanaticism for the
ordeal of Hindus. "Its Muslims winning by intimidation. Its Muslims
overcoming a culture by threatening it, by abducting young girls so that an
entire community moves out or succumbs to the Muslim murderers," she says.
Shirin, however, says the crime against Hindu girls should also be seen from
the perspective of gender discrimination rampant in Pakistan. The foundations
figures show that on average 10 women are killed daily countrywide in honour
crimes. "The ratio is higher in the northern tribal areas, with cultural
affinity to Afghan tribal practices. Not only that, on average, two women are
raped every hour in Pakistan. During 2005, close to 600 women committed suicide
across Pakistan. This is just one indicator of the depression characterising
the lives of women," she points out.
Human rights activist Hina Jillani says Hindus and Christians in Pakistan are
looked down upon. "That is why they have to take up inferior jobs; their
chances of rising in any field is low," she told Outlook. Though a few Hindus
have taken advantage of secular institutions and sports to rise to positions of
prominence, Jillani feels the system is loaded heavily against them. She cites
the example of Pakistani cricketer Yousaf Youhana who was Christian. She
insists he converted to Islam and became Mohammad Yousuf because otherwise he
would have no chance becoming Pakistans cricket captain.
Jillani feels concrete steps should be taken to allay the fears of Hindus.
She suggests the reconstruction of temples that were destroyed in Sindh and
Punjab in 1992. "General Musharraf, who claims to be the only liberal and
secular leader of the country, has taken no steps to rebuild these temples,
thereby showing his government too is least concerned about the rights and
security of the minorities in Pakistan."
Shehbaz Bhatti, chairman, All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, is also critical
of the blasphemy laws which have been often invoked to harass Hindus,
Christians and liberal Muslims. From 1985 to 2004, 601 persons were accused of
blasphemy. Of these, 295 were Muslims, 203 Ahmadis, 79 Christians, and 24
Hindus. He cites the retaliation against the destruction of the Babri Masjid as
an important factor underlying the insecurity of Hindus.
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