Are we born here just to become sanitary workers, ask minorities
Focus group at HRCP office discusses problems and potential solutions.
PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
With general elections just around the corner, some people belonging to Karachi’s minority groups have made it clear that simply being a community member does not mean that a person will be a good representative.
They said this at a focus group discussion organised on Monday by the Global Human Rights Defence in collaboration with Pakistan Hindu Seva Welfare Trust and Civil Society Support Programme.
Around 50 participants attended, most of whom were lower-caste Hindus. They complained that their issues had perpetually been swept under the carpet since independence. “We are considered second class citizens,” said Kali Das. “Are we born here to become sanitary workers only? Even graduates from our community are given lowly jobs,” he added.
Though the participants said they aren’t satisfied with the current representation in the parliament, they hoped their problems would be addressed soon. Ashok Kumar, another participant said, “Our problems are because of the absence of true leadership in the parliament. Ministers are from the upper class. They don’t raise our genuine concerns.”
The participants said the founder of Pakistan wanted equality for all. “We are in search of Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan. The father of the nation said that religion and state are two separate things,” said Sardar Ramesh Singh. “The government must listen to our voice.”
The participants then complained that their children acquire education from public schools as they can’t afford the fee charged by private schools. They said that the government should ensure quality education for minorities. “Our children will find a way for their prosperity if they are given quality education,” said Kumar.
Raju Aasu Pandit said that Hindu children should be given religious education in schools, adding that separate funds should be allotted for healthcare for minority groups. “To whom one turns to when his or her child dies because of a lack of medicine?”
The discussion then turned around to forced conversions, which participants felt was a genuine concern in Sindh. They said that their daughters were unsafe even in Karachi. “Our people don’t raise voices when their daughters are kidnapped, converted and married. We are afraid of consequences,” said Kumar. HRCP’s Abdul Hai complained that people don’t support when the HRCP truly raised their voice. “Parents don’t support us. They seem afraid of sharing details of kidnapping, conversion and other issues.”
Suneel Kumar said, “All Hindus and minority groups face almost same kinds of issues. We lack unity and genuine leadership.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2013.
With general elections just around the corner, some people belonging to Karachi’s minority groups have made it clear that simply being a community member does not mean that a person will be a good representative.
They said this at a focus group discussion organised on Monday by the Global Human Rights Defence in collaboration with Pakistan Hindu Seva Welfare Trust and Civil Society Support Programme.
Around 50 participants attended, most of whom were lower-caste Hindus. They complained that their issues had perpetually been swept under the carpet since independence. “We are considered second class citizens,” said Kali Das. “Are we born here to become sanitary workers only? Even graduates from our community are given lowly jobs,” he added.
Though the participants said they aren’t satisfied with the current representation in the parliament, they hoped their problems would be addressed soon. Ashok Kumar, another participant said, “Our problems are because of the absence of true leadership in the parliament. Ministers are from the upper class. They don’t raise our genuine concerns.”
The participants said the founder of Pakistan wanted equality for all. “We are in search of Quaid-e-Azam’s Pakistan. The father of the nation said that religion and state are two separate things,” said Sardar Ramesh Singh. “The government must listen to our voice.”
The participants then complained that their children acquire education from public schools as they can’t afford the fee charged by private schools. They said that the government should ensure quality education for minorities. “Our children will find a way for their prosperity if they are given quality education,” said Kumar.
Raju Aasu Pandit said that Hindu children should be given religious education in schools, adding that separate funds should be allotted for healthcare for minority groups. “To whom one turns to when his or her child dies because of a lack of medicine?”
The discussion then turned around to forced conversions, which participants felt was a genuine concern in Sindh. They said that their daughters were unsafe even in Karachi. “Our people don’t raise voices when their daughters are kidnapped, converted and married. We are afraid of consequences,” said Kumar. HRCP’s Abdul Hai complained that people don’t support when the HRCP truly raised their voice. “Parents don’t support us. They seem afraid of sharing details of kidnapping, conversion and other issues.”
Suneel Kumar said, “All Hindus and minority groups face almost same kinds of issues. We lack unity and genuine leadership.”
Published in The Express Tribune, April 2nd, 2013.