In his budget speech, Dr Jeewan spoke about land grabbing and how temples and historical buildings belonging to the Hindu community. PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan Peoples Party minorities MPA, Dr Khatu Mal Jeewan, during the Sindh Assembly session, sought the government’s help to evacuate Hindu Gymkhana, a historical building of the Hindu community, which is allegedly occupied by the National Academy of Performing Arts (NAPA).
In his budget speech, Dr Jeewan spoke about land grabbing and how temples and historical buildings belonging to the Hindu community were being illegally occupied by different influential people, institutions and organisations. “The President of Pakistan has also assured us of cooperation but we want to know when the Hindu Gymkhana will be handed back to us. The mafia, in the form of NAPA, has encroached our building. We do not oppose promoting arts and culture but they should seek another alternate place for it,” he said, adding that many other temples had also been encroached but no action was taken against the perpetrators.
He was of the view that some religious extremists had made the lives of minorities miserable. “I am eyewitness of the Rinkle Kumari case who was forced to convert ther religion. More than five hundred masked men, equipped with guns, came in double cabin vehicles and harassed the judges and the Hindu community. Later, the judges refused to take up the case,” he said requesting the assembly to draft a legislation against forced conversion to provide relief to the minorities in Sindh.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 28th, 2013.
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@Bewildered: That does not matter. Hindus might have hired and paid Muslims, Hindus, Christians to construct this building.
Mr Yasin has shown his true colours, true to the law in Pakistan. A leopard cannot change its spots. 'A woman cannot equal a man!' A horrible proposition! How discriminatory in this 21st century era. I am sure, to the people like Yasin, a mother stands below a brother so far as weightage of a witness is concerned.
Hindu gymkhana belonged to the Hindus and the people of sindh and Pakistan. Simply because the structure has Islamic influences does not make it islamic. Btw, why sell it or propose it too, it is a symbol of a bygone era and should be restored to the owners. Same applies to churches and colleges and institutions, whatever religion. It is all land grabbing issues there too. The Marla and qila rates must be high there. I can't think of buying jama masjid because it is against morality and Indian constitution and sensibilities does not allow me to think likewise. Rab rakha
@Mansi
Mansiji, salaam. Your name suggests that you are a lady. Sorry, I can't argue against the opinion of a lady standing alone. You need atleast another lady to support your opinion. Then I can consider a debate. Till then, Allah Hafiz.
@anil
They can't leave the country. They are so much in love with their business and money, that they will rather sacrifice their daughters and sisters but not take the trouble of migrating to India. I am also Indian, but I hate these pakistani hindus. Those who didn't learn in 65 years, will not learn in next 100 years and by that time there will be nothing left to learn. They should learn from Indian Muslims, who are migrating to Pakistan by the millions to escape from the cruelty of hindu India.
most of the catholic schools were nationalized in 70s and they too should be given back to the real owners.
“I am eyewitness of the Rinkle Kumari case who was forced to convert ther religion. More than five hundred masked men, equipped with guns, came in double cabin vehicles and harassed the judges and the Hindu community. Later, the judges refused to take up the case,”--- then why didn't you lodge a complain against these mob in police station ? Has Pakistan become Rwanada ? five hundred masked man with gun in day light.....are you living in somalia ? Shame on you , you can't save your daughters and sisters . If you can't fight , then leave that country and migrate India.
Yes, it was Hindus who invaded these lands and subjugated poor innocent muslims saying their religion is shirk which prays to idols and many gods which is not theirs. Who wrote this history for you and why can't you apply rudimentary fact checks.
@Jamshed
"What if the Indians push to buy/turn.....Masjid into Mandir."
Look, I only made a suggestion of a buying offer, not taking it forcibly, which we can if we want to. A buying offer is subject to refusal. The comparison with India is not fair, since there are about 160 million Muslims there who will fight. Moreover most of the temples in India and Pakistan today were built on Mosque sites. I am not suggesting their return to us.
We construct, you occupy it and then say- "This was all ours, the previous owners were Jahilliya whose culture and traditions were worth nothing."
@Yasin: "Agreed. Can’t we buy it from the owners and make it a Mosque?"
Yes. What if the Indians push to buy/turn Delhis Jamia Masjid into a mandir? That should help your answer your own question. Don't do tot others what you wont like done to yourself. Learn to follow in the Prophet's footsteps!
Islam Bagh in Baluchistan, which used to be Hindu Bagh, should be renamed to its original name.
This is so called ISLAMIC REPUBLIC, don't expect much ....
@Rashid
Agreed. Can't we buy it from the owners and make it a Mosque?
The building shown in the picture above looks more like a building constructed by Muslims rather than Hindus, as it is apparent from its Islamic/Mughal architecture style.
@Rashid: but sad circumstances involving it.
What a beautiful structure!