Protecting our minorities

The deplorable state of the Hindu Guides Infantry Temple in Mardan district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) does not come across as a surprise at a time when non-Muslims are soft targets, not only for extremists, but also of the apathy of the state. The temple, which was abandoned after the demolition of the Babri Mosque in India in 1992, exemplifies how marginalised communities have been segregated and their rights violated by both state and society. We are told that the Hindus in the area have not been able to even openly celebrate their festivals for more than 20 years and like several other places across the country, in the absence of a proper crematorium for them, they have no other option but to bury their dead.

While the Constitution of Pakistan is dragged into every single protest that purports to seek justice in this country, our political leadership hardly pays any attention to the rights of minorities — guaranteed under the very same Constitution — which have been violated countless times. Whatever diversity that still exists in our country is on a path towards slow death. Communities and the histories they stand for are being ignored in a very systematic manner. While the government might have its own set of excuses for this state of affairs, the fundamental question is: have we passed the point where we have ceased to consider people with a belief system different from that of the majority as equal citizens of the state? The K-P government must ensure that the rights of minorities and the sanctity of their places of worship, including the Hindu temple in Mardan, are restored and renovated with immediate effect. While many Hindu families have migrated from Sindh, reports of Sikh families of K-P seeking refuge in other countries have also begun appearing in the province after the occurrence of incidents where they have been targeted. Such migration, of Hindus, Sikhs and other minority communities, might escalate if their rights are not preserved. This will only add to our national shame.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th, 2014.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.