Joining hands: Minorities condemn atrocities of Indian army in Kashmir

Representatives of Christian, Hindu communities agree on three resolutions presented


Our Correspondent October 25, 2016
A Kashmiri demonstrator hurls a stone at Indian policemen during an anti-India protest in Srinagar October 14, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) minorities' wing presented three resolutions, which were unanimously agreed upon by representatives belonging to the Christian and Hindu faiths, in the All Pakistan Minorities Parties and Churches conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Tuesday.

The resolutions, on which the representatives of the Christian and Hindu communities agreed on, were against the atrocities of the Indian army in Kashmir, another against the attack on the police training centre in Quetta and the last one on the implementation of the ban on liquor as per the orders of the Sindh High Court (SHC).

Indian forces have been committing crimes against humanity in Kashmir, stated JI Karachi chief Naeemur Rehman in his presidential address.



Individuals have joined hands, irrespective of their faith, cast, creed and colour to highlight Indian brutalities in Jammu and Kashmir, said Rehman, recalling that India had approached the Security Council regarding Kashmir and had promised to act according to the resolution of the United Nations but later refused to keep its word.

Criticising the government for being limited to lip service alone, Rehman demanded of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to shun his monetary benefits and personal relations with Indian rulers and pursue national interest.

Pakistan has been facing terrorism because the National Action Plan is not being implemented, he said, while condemning the Quetta carnage.

Welcoming the judicial verdict on liquor shops, Rehman said that a few elements within the Muslim community have been opposing the decision as they are used to consuming illegal liquor. He warned that those opposing the decision should keep the Hereafter in mind, where they will have to answer for their deeds.

"We demand that there should be immediate action on SHC's orders to ban liquor selling and shops where alcohol is available," said a representative of the Christian community, while presenting the resolution at the conference.

JI's minority wing head, Younus Sohan, explaining their stance against India's atrocities in Kashmir and on Muslims, said that from the platform of the conference he extends his demand to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and United Nations (UN) to step up against the brutal practices of the Indian Army in Kashmir. The Indian Army has taken away the right to live from the people of Kashmir, said Sohan.

"A small effort is needed to make the institutions and countries speak up for their brothers in Kashmir who are fighting the war," said Sohan, adding that all the minorities of Pakistan are with them and will not abandon them in any situation.

Pakistan Maseehi Awami chairperson Salamat Khokhar supported the resolution that extends their demands to UN and OIC to take notice against India and speak up for the human rights of the Kashmiri people.

Khokhar also paid condolence to the deceased of the Quetta attack and explained the motive behind the presented resolution, which states that the conference sees Modi as a suspect because he admits of their interference in the matter of Balochistan and their arrested spy has accepted their activities in the province.

In Hinduism, our land is our second mother and we will give our blood to our country and its prosperity, said Dr Jaipal, who was representing the Hindu community. He paid tribute to Burhan Wani who fought for the rights of his people.

"Today's conference is a community meeting and when everyone has come to support one agenda, our enemy should be warned," said pastor Mohsin, seconding Khokar's views.

All the political parties should also come together and protest against this instead of fighting among each other, he said.

Commenting on the ban on liquor, he said that Christianity does not allow alcohol and there is no religion that appreciates it.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26th, 2016.

COMMENTS

Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ