It is essential that minority religious communities in Pakistan and Bangladesh be treated in a just manner
ISLAMABAD: Due to multifarious causes, there were serious differences between the Hindu majority and Muslim minority communities in India, and considering this ground reality, the Muslim League proposed a just solution of this communal problem as per the Lahore Resolution of March 1940. The British rulers were accordingly asked to make provisions in the constitutional plan according to two basic principles. The first was that the northwestern and northeastern regions of the country comprising geographically contiguous units where the Muslim minority was in a majority should, “constitute independent states”. The second principle was, “adequate, effective and mandatory safeguards” for minorities in these and the other part of India “for the protection of their religious, cultural, economic, political, administrative and other rights and interests in consultation with them”.
In view of this background, it is essential that minority religious communities in Pakistan and Bangladesh be treated in a just manner. Such humanitarianism would be helpful for moderate elements in India who favour the just treatment of religious minorities. Judging by a numerical angle, the culture of religious tolerance in these three countries would be most beneficial for the 150 million Muslims of India.
Kh Taraq Jazy
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2016.
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