Balochistan

Holi not the same in Balochistan this year

Celebrations in Kalat District cancelled after murder of royal family member.

Express March 17, 2011

QUETTA:

The Hindu community in Balochistan has decided to celebrate Holi with simplicity this year as their top spiritual leader, abducted three months ago, is still missing.

Meanwhile in Kalat District, the community has decided to cancel all celebrations because of the assassination of a member of the royal family of Kalat. Agha Mehmood Ahmedzai, who is also the nephew of a provincial minister, was shot dead early this week.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the community’s Kalat chapter under the chairmanship of Divaan Harichand, Makhi Chand and Chaudhry Jettanand. Maharaja of the historic Kali Mandir, Luckmi Chand Garji, was abducted last December and there is still no trace of him.

“Law enforcement agencies have failed to trace the kidnapped Hindu leader despite a lapse of three months,” Harichand said, adding that the government had been assuring the community for the maharaja’s safe recovery but his whereabouts were yet to be ascertained.

The population of Hindus in Balochistan is more than 200,000. The festival of Holi is scheduled to be celebrated on Saturday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (3)

Bixenjo | 13 years ago | Reply I feel sorry for my Hindu brothers and hope your leader who was abducted from Kalat recovers soon. Dear Anwar Hayat Balochistan is moving towards the point of no return please search for some knowledge. More than 110 dead bodies of Baloch youth recovered in last 4 months . Human rights violation are higher in Balochistan than in Kashmir . http://www.srilankaguardian.org/2011/03/inside-story-baloch-political-prisoners.html http://videos.sify.com/Rights-groups-concerned-about-missing-Baloch-people-ANI-watch-ldhs4jdjddi.html I am not against Pakistan but I am afraid more than 70% Balochs are and system of Landlords became so week in Balochistan ,currently only 4 or 5 influential Sardar are present there .The whole Makran belt is without any sardar including Turbat and Gwadar. Army is for safeguard of citizens but in our region it is contrary ,we keep guns for our safety from army.

Anwar | 13 years ago | Reply @Ravindra Mishra: Loss of Cultural Heritage? Please explain to me how any of us have lost our "culture". Last time I checked, it was Pakistanis (regardless of religion or ethnicity) who were proud to speak there own languages (Urdu etc.) and not English (like Indians). Last time I checked it was Pakistanis who wore there traditional clothing (shalwaar qameez, kurta, dhoti etc.) and not pants and shirts like Indians. You have some nerve posting nonsense like that, Pakistanis are proud of there culture and ancient history, I suggest you read up on it instead of blurting out some Shiv Sena trash. Migration to India The Hindus of Balochistan (or Pakistan for that matter) may have religion as a common with there Indian counterparts, but other than that they are culturally more closer to Pakistanis than Indians. Why would they leave Pakistan to dwell in some Indian ghetto or be forced abroad to work as an economic migrant? That's like asking Indian Muslims from the South to move to Pakistan because of racial discrimination which they face on a daily basis. What good will that do for them? Secular? No. Islamist? No. Sufi? Yes We aren't a secular state and we aren't an Islamist state either. We are a Sufi state. The majority have a Sufi mentality, which isn't Secular or Islamist, but moderate and in between both. Like I mentioned to you before, keep off ShivSena.com and try to actually educate yourself on the country you're so desperately trying to trash. Baloch people fighting? Why would Baloch people be fighting against there own country? Out of the 6 million Balochis, the vast majority of them live under fear from rich landlords who are being paid and trained by none other that YOU KNOW WHO to destabilize the province. Too bad it won't work. Balochis like every other non-Punjabi ethnic group (including Pashtuns like me) are in favour of more provincial autonomy. That doesn't necessarily mean we are AGAINST Pakistan. I know you Indians love to exploit this fact, but this is reality. If we want more autonomy from the Centre that doesn't mean we hate this country. Balochistan is no where close to the situation that Kashmir is in, and slowly Assam and Nagaland are also becoming increasingly anti-Indian. That's the difference between our two countries - people love Pakistan here regardless, whereas in India you need the Armed Forces to literally keep the country from falling apart. My suggestion for you: The next time you log onto ET, remember to take your pills. Thanks Anwar Hayat

VIEW MORE COMMENTS

Ravindra Mishra | 13 years ago | Reply Perhaps you meant 'Mahant of the historic Kali Mandir.' 'Maharaja of the historic Kali Mandir.', makes no sense. === I would suggest that the Baloch Hindus should not celebrate, any of the festivals. This will send a stronger signal. Newspapers and private television channels will doubtless highlight this straight into the well lit living rooms of the Pakistani elites and into the dark recesses of the mind of the administrators. Resultantly, the average Pakistani will realise the loss to their cultural heritage. === Next, the Baloch Hindus must seriously consider migrating to India or other parts of the world, where their relatives have already settled. They will face privations for sure, but just as other Sindhi and Punjabi Hindus have done very well for them elsewhere, the Baloch Hindus will succeed too with flying colours. It is easier said than done. But do they really have a choice? They know they are not cared for and are infact resented. Sooner or later they will be subjected to some discriminatory law or another. === Pakistan, then will become indeed very pure as there will be no 'but-parast' kafir quam in their midst, and there will be an excuse to remove the white stripe on the left of the Pakistani national flag. It will become all green and will befit the 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan.' This would basically destroy Jinnah's dream of a secular state and will lead to the Islamist takeover of the state. === The poor Baloch people, who have been fighting the brave struggle to throw off the yoke of Rawalpindi Army HQ, will then consider the need to redouble their effort. And soon, will become independent. Things will become even messier. So, repeat, the Baloch Hindus must leave now.

Replying to X