‘Happy with forefathers’ choice to stay back’

LAHORE:

The religious minorities of Pakistan are quite fond of Punjab’s capital, and many chose to stay post-Independence because of how much they value what it has to offer in terms of freedom of association and practicing.

The son of Shri Ram Chandraji, Loh, settled in present-day Lahore and the city eventually became affiliated with his name.

Apart from offering a diverse range of food, the provincial capital also offers diversity in religions practiced and places of worship. Places which not only hold historical significance but also attract religious tourists from around the world.

The plethora of experiences is one of the reasons why Dr Munawar Chand and his family, all residents of Lahore, are amongst those who never left. In 1947, when several members of Chand’s family migrated to India, his father, Chaudhry Sadiq decided to stay back due to a religious affiliation with this city. Chand resides inside Bhati Gate.

Talking to the Express Tribune, Chand who serves as the head of the Hindu Welfare Council stated simple grounds for never leaving the city of the Mughals, “we were born here, we grew up here, we got married, and we have children here.”

Lahore’s ability to integrate religious minorities and grant them religious freedom has a significant pull. Kashi Ram, a priest from Krishna Mandir in Lahore, said that his forefather’s decision not to leave Pakistan stands vindicated.

“Today we can perform religious rites in our homes and places of worship with complete religious freedom and on this Independence Day we pledge that for the development of this country, prosperity, and security we all [minorities] are united,” a passionate Kashi told the Express Tribune.

Kashi blames the religious intolerance that exists in the country and the supposed hate amongst people from different faiths on a few bad apples, patriotically expressing that Pakistan is above everything else.

The Sikh community also has deep roots in the city and are glad to have a home in what they call the land of Guru Nanak. Sardar Bishan Singh hails from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) but has been living in Lahore for years with his brother and children.

“When we look at the situation in Pakistan and India, we are proud that we live in this country,” said Bishan. Sardar Amir Singh offered an explanation as to why this sentiment exists in his community while talking to the Express Tribune.

“Sikhs have a larger population in India than in Pakistan. However, the personal freedom enjoyed by the Sikhs living in Pakistan is not enjoyed by the Indian Sikhs. To date, the Indian constitution and law have not recognized Sikhism as a separate religion.

Apart from the Sikhs who were massacred in India in 1984 and even today, most protesting farmers in India are Sikhs,” Amir informed.

Like other minorities, Bishan and Amir are happy that their relatives decided to stay in Lahore and stick by Pakistan as a country.

They value that Sikhs have freedom to do business and have religious freedom but above all that they have easy access to the Kartarpur corridor which is the last resting place of Baba Guru Nanak Devji.

Not only do they get to worship at the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib present in the spacious white marble-encrusted corridor but also get to meet family and friends visiting from India.

Although Covid has hampered these meetings and hindered the trade of material items monumental in Sikhism, the community remains hopeful that due to the Pakistan government’s ongoing talks, with its counterpart, to protect Sikh interests the corridor will be operational soon.