Hindus are also Pakistanis

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


Editorial June 23, 2015
Lawmaker Lal Malhi asked on the floor of the Parliament why is it not acknowledged that Hindus are no less loyal or patriotic than any other citizen of Pakistan of any other faith. PHOTO: TARIQ HASSAN/EXPRESS

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 24th,  2015.

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COMMENTS (4)

Mevan | 8 years ago | Reply Too little, too late.. Now that India has started giving citizenship to Pakistani hindus/sikhs..its only a matter of time before whatever little of their population is left here moves to India. So now hindus would either migrate to india or those who choose to stay would be doing so with an ulterior motive imo.
Mehr | 8 years ago | Reply Well, there are problems regarding minority rights in Pak, as there are in any other country. Since religion holds great importance in the lives of people in some areas, especially South Asia. So problems and discriminations do arise, it be India or Pakistan. These problems should definitely be handled with care and immediate attention. All said, Pakistan might have problems in Thi regard, but at the same time there are non-muslim brothers occupying high seats in government and bureaucracy. Christians, Hindus and all. Ex-Supreme Court Chief Justice Bhagwan Daas, Ruling party's MNA Mr. Ramesh Kumar, PTI MNA mr. Lal Malhi. are all Hindus and are no less respected by us Pakistanis than any other government official. And, the Muslim officials have to face criticism irrespective of their religious belief. Christian community also holds some respectable positions. Google Dr. Mira Phailbus and Kinnaird College Christian status, for starters. The thing I problems may arise everywhere, they need to be solved. Religious minorities may face problems and prejudice even in developed nations, as in recent instances against Muslims and all. In India, too, such instances are noticed. It happens because of stereotyping and ideological differences. So, constant work needs to be done in this regard, in every community.
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