Minority convention: Hindus want commission to investigate atrocities

More than 80 per cent of Hindus living in Pakistan are labourers but face atrocities and injustices, says MNA Parwani.

UMERKOT:

At a Hindu convention held in Umerkot, Hindus demanded that an international commission investigate the atrocities taking place against them in different parts of the country.

Around 40 Panchaits of the Hindu Welfare Panchayat of Pakistan gathered at the Shiva temple on Sunday and over a thousand people participated in the convention, which led to a partial strike in Samaro and Umerkot. “More than 80 per cent of Hindus living in Pakistan are labourers but face atrocities and injustices. A country cannot progress when its citizens live amid a sense of insecurity,” said the welfare panchayat’s president and MNA, Kishan Chand Parwani.

Parwani said that Hindu girls were being kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam. “The situation really needs legislation. The public representatives must take serious steps.”

Referring to the Pakistani constitution, former MPA, Lachhman Pirwani, said that the rights of minorities were protected but the state failed to implement the law. “The government needs to take concrete measures to ensure the rights of minorities,” he said. The convention unanimously passed a resolution demanding dual rights for voting and for proper legislation for the protection of life, property and sacred.

Lal Malhi, who was nominated as the acting coordinator of the welfare panchayat, said that temples, properties and even the lives of Hindus are not safe. “We are true Sindhis. Our ancestors did not leave the country during the time of partition. We want to participate in the country’s progress on an equal basis.”

Though it was a big event, many famous Hindu leaders were not invited to it. These include Rana Hameer Singh, MNA Dr Khatomal of Umerkot and renowned activists Hochi Ram and Sobho Gianchandani.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2012.