The writer, a Fulbright Scholar and recent graduate of The Fletcher School at Tufts University, US, is a senior sub editor at The Express Tribune
“You do understand the context of the word chamaar, right?” asked my Christian friend, which made me realise that I was one of the few to have fond memories of ‘growing up in interfaith harmony’.
Christians, among other minorities, are called chamaar in Pakistan, stemming from the chamaari communities or the Hindu scheduled castes — the working class and the untouchables.
A similar term is choora, mostly used in Punjab, which is a slur for dark-skinned people, mainly Christians, who are stereotyped as cleaners, she ‘educated’ me.
These terms are used loosely, nonchalantly. A few hours after the Peshawar church blasts, a news anchor on Dunya News thought it was witty to say, “Those who sweep have been swept away today”. Such affronts are also extended to the Hindus, stereotyped as ‘dirty’, their idols ridiculed. Their community is mostly ghettoised, with zero chances of upward social mobility.
Shias are killed almost every day. Interestingly, they claim the discrimination is not new and many have grown up with it. But it does not end there. The Deobandi Sunnis claim to be the ‘real Muslims’. A professor at the University of Karachi derisively termed Barelvis ‘halvay walay’ (those who make sweet confectionaries on religious occasions) in class. The Barelvis deem the Deobandis hardliners, with some clerics even declaring the Deobandis kuffaar (non-believers).
Worse off are the Ahmadis who lead dual lives — secret lives, rather.
Faith is an integral classification of identity in Pakistan. You are what you believe. And on this belief, we are divided — and we are killed.
Pakistan was created for minority rights, because the Muslims were a minority. With a bloody, abrupt partition, coupled with the largest exodus in modern history, we gained independence in terms of freedom of religion. Today, the lack of this very freedom has made us a nation devoid of empathy, scruple and humanity. There have been 19 attacks and bomb blasts, this year alone, on the basis of faith. The figure does not include targeted killings, which would spike up the number manifold. Terrorist organisations or a mass of incensed people were responsible for the violence. Not RAW, not Mossad, not the CIA. This is not a conspiracy to divide Muslims and destabilise Pakistan by ‘foreign actors’. The perpetrators are within us. The state and society has marginalised and alienated ethnic groups and religious communities for over 60 years, hence depriving them of economic, political and social participation.
At a micro level, we cannot bear differences of opinion, identity, or even tastes, be it at work, in educational institutions, among families and even in places of worship. And we have no one else to blame.
The decades-long discrimination, prejudice and scorn is so deeply instilled in our social fabric that every aspect of our socialisation begins and ends with hate and abuse.
We cannot talk, discuss or deliberate without preconceived ill-judgment, contempt and accusations. If you don’t believe me, just read the comments under this article.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 28th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (21)
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@Solomon2: I have provided the substance dude, which unfortunately not approved to show here :)
THe Fulbright scholarship by U.S funded bodies are delivering well!!!
I'd say this saying isapperciated !! you have mentioned everything right in addition v r sterotyped !! that's actually few evils in our country and in our minds we have to cut that roots that will spike up nation strong and united.
"Kindly, provide substance to justify your claim....The state has passed many bills and did legislation for the rights of ethnic groups and minorities over the 60 years. Should I mention all the bills, legislation and refinements carried out in the past?"
@Mubashir Iqbal: You've provided the very evidence you seek. For if the previous laws to protect the rights of ethnic groups had been effective, there would have been no need for new (and presumably more effective) laws to be passed.
@Mubashir Iqbal:
Kindly, provide substance to justify your claim.
To begin with let us look at the Constitution it self. Here is a link for ready reference http://www.pakistani.org/pakistan/constitution/preamble.html
The very first line reads, Whereas sovereignty over the entire Universe belongs to Almighty Allah alone, and the authority to be exercised by the people of Pakistan within the limits prescribed by Him is a sacred trust;
Now tell me where does this leave all those who believe in some Almighty other than Allah? Where do they stand in relation to the State of Pakistan?
And then recall the 2nd Amendment, what happens, when, those who believe in Allah, are suddenly declared non-believers. Please also read Article 41(2) and 91(3) of the Constitution and tell me where does this leave the minorities?
The state has passed many bills and did legislation for the rights of ethnic groups and minorities over the 60 years. Should I mention all the bills, legislation and refinements carried out in the past?
Mentioning just one will do. The Hindus of Pakistan have been demanding an Act under which their marriages can be recognised as valid marriages. Has this act been passed? In the absence of such an act it becomes really easy to abduct and marry Hindu women as their earlier marriages are not recognised.
They have representations in the Armed Forces of Pakistan as there is no restriction of being from a specific religion,
http://www.pakistanarmy.gov.pk/AWPReview/TextContent.aspx?pId=17&rnd=108
Please read the Motto of the Pakistan army at the above link. Now tell me- How many members of the minority communities will qualify under this? And since there are no restrictions, perhaps you can also tell me of some Ahmadia officers currently serving in the Pakistan Army. Go ahead.
Please find the time to go through Pakistan Studies Text Books some day. You may also refer to K. K. Aziz’s ‘Murder of History of Pakistan’ and Nayyar and Salim’s ‘A Subtle Subversion’.
And Sir, none of this is being done by the extremists.
Moderator ET- I hope the Constitution of Pakistan does not contravene your Comment Policy.
so what is the solution, everyone is pointing towards the problem. Should Pakistan be declared a secular state, if so by who?
I disagree with your claim, which says "The state and society has marginalised and alienated ethnic groups and religious communities for over 60 years, hence depriving them of economic, political and social participation."
Kindly, provide substance to justify your claim. The state has passed many bills and did legislation for the rights of ethnic groups and minorities over the 60 years. Should I mention all the bills, legislation and refinements carried out in the past? It is a continual process as in any of the democratic setup in the world. Further, it is the state which provides such minorities with the representations in the parliament to speak out for their concerns. It negates your claim clearly of state being the party to these minorities.
The state and society gives them right for social participation and I can quote many examples here which are self witnessed as well, described below.
There are no religious barriers for any public sector jobs of any cadre, can be verified from the job ads. The private sector is far more dynamic and social, we all know that this questions even can not arise.
They have representations in the Armed Forces of Pakistan as there is no restriction of being from a specific religion, provides evidence of no such hurdle in the defense sector as well.
From within the minorities we have sportsmen, businessmen and musicians etc.
Every educated, liberal, rational and sensible Pakistani has no hatred for minorities and even between own sects. You, me and majority like us are the examples.
I think you've mixed the ''enemy within'' term with the state and society rather separating the extremists, radicals and fanatics, working on a common agenda of violence and ciaos without having any distinguish between a Church, Mosque, School, College, Imam Bargah or any of the Defense Institution. They can be Punjabis, Pashtoons or Urdu Speakers bonded to certain ideology and behavior. Have you ever thought from where these extremists are getting arms and money to sustain and survive?
For me that is the "Enemy Within" to fight with, majority of the population in Pakistan are youngsters who understood this and has started to reject these sectarian, ethnic and religious differences.
This is my first ever such reply to any of the forum like this, so pardon me for any mistakes. Thanks
Beautifully written and a perfect example of any religious box getting smaller and smaller as egotistical leaders try to maintain power by manipulating religious teachings.
@Leopard - "Just mentioned of facts without any solution.Alas those on helm of affairs can analyse these facts and plan to curb this menace."
Well the country is still stuck at the cause identification phase. After 50000 people being killed, the killings are still being blamed on foreign hands, drone attacks and the elephant in the room is being ignored.
Dear Neha. I agree with you have to say. It is a malaise we need to address without any further delay. However it is interesting how you ended your well articulated views expecting a barrage of prejudiced and contemptuous accusations while there is only praise and agreement for your article in the comments so far. There just might be hope for our society.
This is an issue that needs to be addressed and so far our authorities a have always denied that people with in us are the enemies. Since its birth, the state of Pakistan has always blamed the forces outside Pakistan to be responsible for all the wrong happening with us. If we do not diagnose the cancer, how are we gonna fight it. And extremism and intolerance has been spreading like a cancer. I remember clearly in my childhood, in the early nineties, we celebrated Eid Milaad un Nabi with zeal, and when in Muharram, the shia community performed their rituals, we, as children were very much interested in them and we often joined them. There was no hatred, no bloodshed, no intolerance. Today, its all divided and full of hate and fear. We must see within ourselves what has gone wrong?
wise words....may we have many more writer like u.
Just a small correction, Ahmedies are not living secret life rather it is illegal for them to express their way of saying prayers in the public. They are also not allowed to express their faith in public, ever heard?
Hi Neha,
Its great to see you at tribune after Business Plus TV working together. Nice written by the way.
Good job. Love the finishing touch.
If there was such a thing as a cultural lobotomy, Pakistan should sign up for one.
Just mentioned of facts without any solution.Alas those on helm of affairs can analyse these facts and plan to curb this menace.
Madam no one has commented as yet. You have spent much time on the symptoms that afflict the country and claim that the cause is self inflicted but that's a somewhat simple and half an answer . You correctly say it is not the CIA or the Mossad or RAW............but you shy away from saying thatit could be the KSA, UAE, Qatar, Iran who pay us ( greed is very potent weapon ) and use us to harm ourselves.
Ms. Neha Ansari: You have nailed the issue perfectly. sadly, as you have predicted, you will be drowned by angry voices condemning you. Peace be upon you. Rajagopal from across the border.
Very well written Neha. Careful analysis of varios segments of society depicts true picture of Pakistan's mentally sick society. Really enjoyed reading this. Keep it up.