Hindus are also Pakistanis

While criticising Modi & his anti-Pakistan policies, parliamentarians should not indulge in the denigration of Hindus

The budget debate in parliament recently took a divisive tone, with a Hindu parliamentarian on June 20 suggesting to his colleagues in the National Assembly that while criticising Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his anti-Pakistan policies, they should not be indulging in the denigration of the Hindu faith and of Hindus, and in doing so question their loyalty to the country. Pakistan is predominantly a Muslim state, India predominantly a Hindu one and it is that difference in beliefs that was the spur for Partition and has remained the nagging impediment for both countries when it comes to the resolution of their differences. Kashmir may be the peg on which much is hung, but towards the back of the national wardrobe, on other hooks hang other frictions.

Parliamentarian Lal Malhi pointed out to the speaker of the house and his colleagues that Hindus are also Pakistani citizens, and that he was dismayed to hear MNA Jamshed Dasti and former prime minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali making derogatory comments about the Hindu faith and specifically its worship of cows. Such practice is a fundamental tenet of Hinduism, and must be respected as such. Mr Malhi went on to illuminate the other elephant in the room — asking why is it not acknowledged that Hindus are no less loyal or patriotic than any other citizen of Pakistan of any other faith. The underlying and pernicious assumption, rarely spoken openly, is that Hindus are somehow ‘suspect’ and owe an allegiance to India merely by virtue of their faith. There is nothing to suggest that this is the case, yet like all minorities in Pakistan, Hindus are persecuted and discriminated against routinely, and in some cases have been driven from their ancestral homes and into India in recent years. It is the job of our parliamentarians to be robustly critical of Indian policies inasmuch as they affect Pakistan, and Mr Modi has been keen to play the ‘faith’ card since coming to power. This takes nobody anywhere, and we should not fall into the trap of reciprocity in our parliament — so well spoken Lal Malhi and yes, Hindus are also Pakistanis.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 24^th,  2015.

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