Conspiracy theory: Maharaj kidnapped two days before Hinglaj pilgrimage
Just two days before the annual pilgrimage to Hinglaj Mata in Balochistan, the chairman of the committee that runs the temple’s affairs has been kidnapped.
Maharaj Ganga Ram Motiyani was taken from Lasbela, Balochistan. On Sunday, protesters gathered at the Karachi Press Club to demand the government take notice.
“Motiyani’s kidnapping appears to be a conspiracy against Hindus since he was kidnapped two days before the gathering,” said the Pakistan Hindu Council’s patron and former Sindh Assembly member, Dr Ramesh Kumar Vankwani. “He has not been kidnapped for ransom because he is a poor man.”
In April each year, thousands of Hindus flock to the cave temple of Hinglaj Mata, or the goddess Sati. According to a Hindu myth, Lord Vishnu cut up the body of Sati with his flaming disc into 50 pieces, which fell to the earth. Her head fell at Hinglaj. “Thousands of Hindus from across the country gather for the Hinglaj mela every year,” said Vankwani.
According to a council member, Dr Chandar Turshani, two men in police uniform arrived at Motiyani’s shop at 8:30 pm and said that a senior police official wanted to meet him. “We contacted the area police station within half an hour but he was not there,” Turshani informed The Express Tribune. “When we spoke to Motiyani on his phone, he said that he was being taken to meet a major.” Motiyani’s family lost contact with him after an hour.
“The provincial and district governments have assured us that he will be rescued but we are clueless about why Motiyani was taken and what condition he is in,” said Turshani.
Sindh and Balochistan’s Hindus were already in the thick of the controversy of forced conversions. The kidnappings add to their insecurity. Hindus are largely seen as wealthy merchants in Sindh and as they don’t have traditional tribal backing, they are considered fair game. The kidnappings have been protested before, but Maharaj Motiyani’s case has hit a nerve.
The council organised the protest and its speakers stressed that even though the constitution provides rights to all citizens without discrimination, Hindus in Pakistan are still seeking equality.
“Our problems are getting worse by the day,” said Vankwani. “[Another Hindu] Asha Kumari has been missing for 41 days from Jacobabad.”
Vankwani told The Express Tribune that despite orders from the Supreme Court, nothing had been done to rescue her. “We are continuously in touch with the Sindh government and police as the court has asked them to find Asha by April 18.”
“One should question whether Hindus are free citizens of Pakistan? Are we given free religious rights?” asked the Pakistan Hindu Welfare Association’s chairperson, Mangla Sharma. “We strongly condemn forced conversions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2012.
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@KaalChakra , yes some of the Hindus i have come across in Interior Sindh or even in Balochistan are somewhat affluent in comparison to their counterpart Muslims .But that is because they work hard and has the acumen and prowess of trading unlike those Muslims who just cry like babies and just would think nothing beyond of a Govt job based on quota .
At least for humanities sake try to understand somebody's agony ,and jsut for the sake of pretention put yourself in the shoes of a Hindu living in Paksitan .Try it ..........................now feel yourself of the vulnerability and the "never ending " fear of getting kidnapped by thy neighbour .
@ Pakistan polictics , as usual , this mindset of "superiority " had drag this countrya to the lowest strata of downfall .What a "courageous "way of suppressing a handful of scared human being who eat and breathe like me or you but are "Hindu' by chance of birth .I pity myself for bieng born and raised around people with these mindsets .
@kaalchakra: Never mind Indian's concerns. You can ignore them. You should worry that no one cares in Pakistan about Pakistani's concerns.
"No but kidnappers are all mostly Muslim."
There you go. Muslim haters just looking for an opportunity to get to work. No one cares for you Indian trolls or about your concerns in Pakistan.
@kaalchakra:
No but kidnappers are all mostly Muslim.
Hindu's Internal affairs
@Thoughtful: Brilliant idea, but if India starts a "right to return" policy like Israel, 175 million Pakistanis might return, leaving the Army and the Super Rich !
Shocking state of affairs exists in pakistan for its citizens not just hindus. Law and order seems to be taking a low priority. I hope this changes soon. For all concerned. My thoughts are with family of the kidnapped victim.
@ashok:
brilliant... join us in our cause of ghazwa hind. we will make you sipahsalar.
There should be a separate state for the Non Muslims of Pakistan just as Muslims created one in 1947.
Lot of paid indian trolls are posting comments, get a life losers
@kaalchakra
Very philosophical.One hopes you are equally detached and impassionate on all other kidnapping cases.
@kaalchakra:
If that's a joke, it's a very sad one.
Pakistan is a Kidnapping Paradise. They do it to everyone, including Daniel Pearl. Nothing can be done. The police will not find him. They have not found Salman Taseer's son. kidnapped in Lahore more than a year ago. One should look for who is buying acid in large quantity, as buyers use big vats to make bodies disappear.
Couldn't understand why this piece is titled as "Conspiracy theory"!?
Just to mention, those Hindus who frequent the cave temple do not believe in the version of the popular internet myth mentioned above. Maharaj at Nani Mandir, not sure if he is the same person, told us a different legend during an exploring visit a couple of years back.
In any case, the kidnapping is deplorable and only add to the perception that the area is getting more and more vulnerable for people, be it Hindus or otherwise.
Are only Hindus kidnapped in Pakistan? Have you stopped all crime in India? This kidnapping shows how rich many Hindus in Pakistan since mostly rich people are kidnapped.,
@Zaid Hamid:
This is a clear case where RAW, CIA, MOSSAD and perhaps TTP all are involved in it because of strategic importance of Hinglaj cave in Balochistan for hiding drones.
pity
Shameful. Btw why doesnt India open a right to return policy like Israel.
And I say again, ISI has no involvement in it.