The landscape of ‘Naya Pakistan’
Respect for minority groups’ heritage sites has been forgone.
The lack of respect shown towards minority groups and their sites of worship is a cause for concern. PHOTO: EXPRESS/FILE
While the political scene of Peshawar remains blurry, we know what the landscape of Naya Pakistan might be in the near future. Should atrocious acts against what should be considered a part of Pakistan’s heritage not be stopped, Naya Pakistan might just become a barren land. This indication comes from a report appearing in this newspaper on June 20, on four sacred Hindu sites — the Khushal Bagh, Panj Tirath, Guru Gorknath Temple and Aasamai Temple — that are now in ruins and face further degradation if they are not restored soon.
The Khushal Bagh — or Gorakh Degi — houses a pool with a natural stream that has run through it since 1675. Unfortunately, the Panj Tirath (the five ponds) was destroyed in the 1970s, hosting the site of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This precious site once adopted by lower caste Hindus — who were barred from entering other temples reserved for higher caste Hindus — was obliterated. While the Aasamai Temple remains standing, it is closed for worshipers. Once again, respect for other groups’ heritage sites has been forgone. The Aasamai Temple is special because it is one of the only two such temples in the world. Yet, the government, which still lays claim to the temple’s holds, along with Khushal Bagh, does not seem to acknowledge its uniqueness. However, if the government is not going to protect and maintain these sites, it should hand over control to the Hindu community, which will respect and maintain them for their sacredness.
This story underscores, once again, the lack of respect shown towards minority groups and their sites of worship. We hope that soon the government and the rest of society will wake up to the vast and rapid cleansing of minority heritage sites across the country. In the end, we must remember that all groups are sacrosanct to the beauty and diversity that comprise Pakistan’s population.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.
The Khushal Bagh — or Gorakh Degi — houses a pool with a natural stream that has run through it since 1675. Unfortunately, the Panj Tirath (the five ponds) was destroyed in the 1970s, hosting the site of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chamber of Commerce and Industry. This precious site once adopted by lower caste Hindus — who were barred from entering other temples reserved for higher caste Hindus — was obliterated. While the Aasamai Temple remains standing, it is closed for worshipers. Once again, respect for other groups’ heritage sites has been forgone. The Aasamai Temple is special because it is one of the only two such temples in the world. Yet, the government, which still lays claim to the temple’s holds, along with Khushal Bagh, does not seem to acknowledge its uniqueness. However, if the government is not going to protect and maintain these sites, it should hand over control to the Hindu community, which will respect and maintain them for their sacredness.
This story underscores, once again, the lack of respect shown towards minority groups and their sites of worship. We hope that soon the government and the rest of society will wake up to the vast and rapid cleansing of minority heritage sites across the country. In the end, we must remember that all groups are sacrosanct to the beauty and diversity that comprise Pakistan’s population.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 22nd, 2013.