SC orders Sindh govt to protect Hindu Gymkhana

The Supreme Court ordered the Sindh government to ensure the protection of the Hindu Gymkhana building and remarked that the parties can give their proposals in a month, and the final decision will be taken in the light of the proposals.

A hearing regarding the ownership of Hindu Gymkhana was held in front of a bench comprising of Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail and Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Qazi Faez Isa.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the Commissioner Karachi was ordered to provide alternative accommodation to NAPA. The Chief Justice remarked that if you want to plead a case, plead your case and leave NAPA.

The petitioner's counsel submitted that the Hindu Gymkhana is the property of the Hindu community. The public prosecutor submitted that the Sindh government has given various options to NAPA. The CJ asked, how do you determine the community? The Chief Justice directed that the case will be heard after some time. Lawyers should come prepared. After some time, a hearing was held again on the petition related to the ownership of the Hindu Gymkhana.

People's Party leader Dr. Ramesh Kumar said that a detailed record should be sought from the commissioner regarding the area of the land.

Ramesh Kumar said that you should hand over the land to the Sindh government. The CJ asked, tell me any building in the city that has been preserved by the Sindh government.

Ramesh Kumar replied that there is Governor House and CM House. The Chief Justice remarked that the public does not go these places are clean, "tell me about the public places which have been kept clean. Go outside and see what's the situation around the Governor's House is. Tell me one country in the world where there are containers outside the governor's house and the chief minister's house."

The CJ remarked there will be time when rulers will worry about the people instead of themselves. "We are more concerned about the Hindu community than you, you want to occupy a community's place, but we will not allow it".

The CJ said in a pleasant conversation that nowadays there is a big problem; each and every of our comments is printed. Everything becomes news these days. "Our light comments also get printed."

The petitioner's counsel sought one month's time for preparation. The CJ said in a dialogue with the lawyer, "Have you ever been to an Irani hotel in old Karachi? It was written at the cash counter, 'don't embarrass us by asking for credit.' Similarly, don't embarrass us by asking for adjournment."

Advocate Faisal Siddiqui said that the building was constructed by Seth Ram Gopal Das in 1925. After partition, the building was taken over by the government in 1958. The Chief Justice remarked, "Is it a religious place or a place of worship?"

Faisal Siddiqui Advocate said that this is a Gul-Rul building. There is also Sir Syed University in it and NAPA at the same time.

Ramesh Kumar said that this property belongs to Hindus, "we should be allowed to perform our rituals here. There is also a temple in that premises and there are signs of 'om' as well."

The Chief Justice remarked that if you go to the Supreme Court, Bismillah is written there, for this reason, it will not become a mosque. You are a parliamentarian, what is written above in the parliament house? Ramesh Kumar said that the Kalmah is written there. Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa remarked, will it be called a mosque? Do not give such arguments which have no basis.

Ramesh Kumar said that there are 1.5 million Hindus living here, it should be a place to perform Hindu ceremonies and rituals.

Chief Justice remarked that names of people who can work for the protection of the heritage building should be given. The lawyers suggested Marvi Mazhar, Arif Hassan, Javed Jabbar, Yasmin Lari and others.

Ramesh Kumar said that he and others should be allowed to inspect. The Chief Justice remarked that you will be kept apart from it, as you have a lot of work to do in the Parliament. The Sindh government has done one good thing; it has ensured the protection of the building.

Advocate General Sindh while giving a stand said that there is a committee of the Department of Culture for the protection of cultural heritage.

The Supreme Court ordered the Sindh government to protect the building. The Supreme Court remarked that the parties can submit their proposals within one month.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 25^th, 2024.