Will I ever be a Pakistani?
Pakistani Christian minority leader J. Salik sprinkles ash over his body to protest the Quran burning by US pastor Terry Jones. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
During the cricket World Cup in 2011, many who knew that I am a Hindu, including some of my colleagues, asked me who I would support; India or Pakistan. The question was very irritating and annoyed me to the point that I would lose my temper. I didn’t understand why on earth they would ask me such a stupid question – just because I’m Hindu?
Why isn’t the same question asked of a Christian when Pakistan plays against Australia, England or New Zealand?
Despite the fact that this state was created with a pledge by the father of the nation for equal rights for minorities, be they religious, civil or political, all these promises now seem to be convenient quotes uttered on national holidays. These quotes often serve the purpose of rhetoric for many right-wingers and so-called liberals.
Sixty five years on, and the state has been unable to own religious minorities for some obvious and oblivious reasons.
Pakistan was never created as an Islamic state as is understood by many of us. The credit for this goes to the distorted history taught in our text books. There is, what I have understood, a great difference between an “Islamic state” and a “state for Muslims”. But thanks to the Objectives Resolution which was later incorporated on March 12, 1949, just six months after the death of Mohammad Ali Jinnah, it was made into an entirely “new state”. Since then, it has been an unending tale of disowning minorities and representing a grim picture of a Pakistan that had been differently thought out.
Jinnah was indeed a supporter of minorities and their rights in the then newly created Pakistan. Rationally speaking, who else can better understand the rights of minorities than Jinnah, who himself had been fighting for the rights of Muslim minorities in pre-partition Hindu-dominated India. Had it not been so, he would have never said:
You are free; you are free to go your worship places. You may belong to any religion or cast or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.
Moreover, the Constituent Assembly to which Jinnah made this speech was presided over by Jogendar Nath Mandal, a schedule-caste Hindu, who was the first law minister of Pakistan. But regret is the feeling that comes to your mind when you read these words and see the reality today.
The notorious Objectives Resolution not only transformed a Muslim state into an Islamic state, but it also deprived the shrinking ratio of religious minorities from civil and political rights too. This insertion in the constitution forever closed the doors for minorities to become, or even think to become, prime minister, president or even governor of a province.
Then came 11 bleak years of dictator Ziaul Haq, who hit the last nail in the coffin and transformed the fabric of the state into a completely Islamicised fabric. The over-ambitious dictator tried, to his full potential, to Islamise everything including the school curriculum, ideology and dress.
In doing so, he ignored the rights of minorities, as a result of which they are facing persecution now at the hands of so-called orthodox and religious fanatics. If the minorities had been secure, the ratio of their population would not have dipped down to a meager four percent from 15 percent at the time of independence. The reason is that a vast majority of the Hindu population has migrated to India or other countries because they are targeted by kidnappers for ransom; there is forced conversion of young Hindu girls to Islam and biased attitude towards to them in day to day life.
Hindus are more financially stable than the Christian minority and have options to move elsewhere; unfortunately for the Christians, they have no other options. They are born for unending persecution in Pakistan.
What more can be said of the minorities’ plight that they have lost their religious identity in the midst of persecution and oppression?
Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Bahis and other minorities are identified in texts and official documents as ‘non-Muslims’. It ought to be clear that ‘non-Muslim’ is not the identity of the religious minorities living in Pakistan. They are Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, Parsis, Bahis and so on. The word ‘non’ is simply a negation of something. If ‘non-Muslim’ is the identity of any religious minority, then there are non-Hindus, non-Christians and non-Sikhs. To make this clearer, in Urdu, all other religious minorities are labeled “ghair Musalman” and the literal meaning of “ghair” is “the one who is not our own”.
How can one develop a sense of belonging for minorities if things remain so? In the least, the minority members should be given an identity, if not security.
Another dilemma with minorities, particularly Hindus, is that many of them, especially in Punjab, relate Hindus to India and don’t consider them fellow Pakistanis. This discriminatory practice can upset and frustrate many Hindus who are disowned by their own country when they are called Indian just based on religion. A Pakistani Hindu feels as bad about being called an Indian as an Indian Muslim being called a Pakistani.
There is a dire need to own religious minorities; this can only be possible through rendering them equal civil, political and social rights. There is a serious need to revise the curriculum and legislation on the needful.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of The Express Tribune.
u r wrong ghair muslim means he or she is not a muslim…not that means which u said “the one who is not our own” stop spreading negativity….Recommend
I agree and if you are in Lahore, come and join me in a conference on the issue at 1630 on Saturday 25 Feb, Near Republic Motors, opp Ferozsons The Mall Lahore.Recommend
Great Job Kapil. Good article.Recommend
Kapil Dev,you deserve my heartfelt congratulations by voicing your feelings about treatment of minorities in Pakistan.It is true belief that India had to digest it’s partition to gain independence from British Raj who were in hurry to leave the sub-continent.Jinnah,Ghandi Nehru and other leaders never talked of religion while agreeing to creation of two sovereign states.The only known voice against partition was that of Jamat e Islami.
In a Muslim country non- Muslims (ghair musalman) should be called Zimmies as ordered by the teachings of Islam,which means that it is the responsibility of the Muslims to provide full protection to peaceful non -Muslims and treat them as fellow countrymen.
I enjoy cricket as sports and applaud good shots by a batsman and a goodball by a bowler irrespective of the cap one wears.Recommend
@Javed
I think we as Muslims wouldn’t know what his feelings are, especially the way things are going on in our country religiously since its inception.Recommend
Every civilization goes through a dark period where atrocities are committed in the name of religion. This beautiful religion Islam is being misused by the so called ghairatmand muslims who are discriminating against minorities and getting away with it. As a practicing muslim who has travelled alot I hope they realize that by such idiotic discrimination we are doing Islam a disservice because we are considered savages and rightly so, the same savages Prophet (PBUH) saved us from. Kapil I am glad that you spoke up and I hope one day even the true muslims who have enough sense will speak up for you.Recommend
Kapil, you are a pakistani..don’t let anyone tell you anything different!!
yes, unfortunately, discrimination exists but surely its not all-pervasive? i mean ok, you will prolly never become our prime minister but there is no bar on pursuing career in medicine, engineering, law, is there?Recommend
This seriously needs to stop!!!Recommend
Some of the things you mentioned are right and true to some extent but you mentioned” Hindus are more financially stable than the Christian minority and have options to move elsewhere; unfortunately for the Christians, they have no other options” but what will you say about the Muslims which are not financially safe,are they spending peaceful and secure life? surely not everyone which is financially not stable or is poor whether it,s Muslim,christian or Hindu have the same sufferings so please don,t try to relate it with religious discrimination and you talk about the civil,political and social rights what do you say if i ask you that is everyone else other than the Christian or Hindus is enjoying equal,civil,social and political rights if you think,yes you are right and if it,s,No then you are trying to spread the wrong message my brother.Recommend
Jinnah’s Pakistan is highjacked by two Ms (Mulla’n and Military )Recommend
Don’t bring that ’11 August’ speech… That was a futile attempt by the Fuhrer (Quaid) to reverse the rhetoric he had been using before… Pakistan was destined to become a field for ethno-fascistic and religious barbarians…Recommend
@ Kapil
forgot about it, u will never be considered as a Pakistani as long as Pakistan remains islamic and as long as the mindset of intolerance Pakistani muslims wont change, we, the minorities, will never enjoy our freedom nor will we ever get equall rights!
As a non-muslim too, i give u an advice, leave Pakistan asap before its too late!Recommend
whatever u said;it is a bitter truth….. actually our generation is unable to understand why this country was struggled for,if it was struggled for islam then where is the islam?not to talk about minorities,muslims are not happy to see their very own,sacred,pious,muslim brothers.plight of minorities is pathetic,very pathetic but i think we muslims r in more misery when we see where this religious fanaticism is leading us?Recommend
Every pakistani is and should be treated alike irrespective of your religous belief. Religion is a personnel choice and can not be forced onto an other. Pakistan will become a strong nation when everyone is treated equal. Let us promote equality and tolerance in our beloved country.Recommend
Very nice of tribune to raise such issues and give oppurtunities to such writers.Recommend
Stop blaming the Objective Resolution. The need for an independent and sovereign state was the utmost desire of Muslims Of India to live their life according to the teachings of Islam. Our Muslim leaders make a hard and tireless struggle for it. Objective Resolution was fully according to the Muslims for this country, and it was clearly mentioned the basic Rights of Minorities in the provision of Resolution. Below I quote some provisions and one of Quaid speech.
In the Objective Resolution:
Wherein adequate provision shall be
made for the minorities to freely
profess and practice their religions
and develop their cultures.
The very first provision of Objective Resolution-
Whereas sovereignty over the entire
universe belongs to Allah
Almighty alone and the authority
which He has delegated to the State
of Pakistan, through its people for
being exercised within the limits
prescribed by Him is a sacred trust.
Quaid-i-Azam addressing the Karachi Bar Association on Jan,25, 1948:
” I cannot understand a section of people who deliberately want to create mischief and make propaganda that the Constitution of Pakistan will not be made of the basis of Shariat. Islamic principles today are as applicable to life as they were 1300 years ago”.Recommend
@javed:
he said the literal meaning of ghair is one which is not our own. He is right. Nazar check karo apniRecommend
You write : “In the least, the minority members should be given an identity, if not security.”
How can you say that? How is identity more important than security? Would you rather be dead than nameless?!!!!
However, my suggestion to you is, leave Pakistan and go abroad (nor necessarily India). You will succeed very well.Recommend
Usman Ashraf Cheema, while there’s no debating that many Muslims do live in great poverty in Pakistan, it’s worth noting that they form the vast majority of the population, so it’s bound to happen. In addition to this the apparatus of the state and the oppurtunity to get ahead (albeit limited) is still present. At the very least, they are not actively discriminated against.
Hindus and Christians are not even given these few oppurtunities. They are treated as pariahs. They live in their own slums and are not given any government assistance, as well as being shunned by society at large.
You can’t equate the two. Muslims are 97% of the population. Let’s stop the omnipresent Muslim inferiority/self pity complex and focus on our minorities for a change.Recommend
And some how Pakistanis have the audacity to talk about minorities in India.Hindus in Pakistan the doors of your Motherland India is open for you all the time.Leave Pakistan ASAP.Recommend
why religion has to become your identity in 21st century?
cant you be just pakistanis?Recommend
We want a secular Pakistan.Recommend
Simple advice Kapil-
you over-stayed your welcome. Leave Pakistan before you burn your hands. You (you and your loved ones, also) have absolutely no future there.
Sorry for being harsh.Recommend
I can answer your question in one single word- two lettered. NORecommend
I believe that our forefathers wanted a true islamic welfare state. This can be corroborated from so many speeches of Quaid-e-Azam where he categorically demanded an Islamic State. Unfortunately, the concept of an Islamic State has been maligned by our fundamentalists and secular liberals. Frankly both of them dont have an idea of an islamic state and consider a theocratic state to be an Islamic State. If an islamic state would have ever been a theocratic state, then certainly Jews would not have been given refuge by Muslims when they were being persecuted by the Christians. Hindus would have been forcefully converted to Islam by Muhammad Bin Qasim, just the same way when Muslims were either killed or forced to convert to christianity when Ottomans lost the battle of Spain. The concept of an Islamic state was very much clear in our founding fathers and there is nothing wrong about it because in an Islamic State all citizens are treated equally. That is the very ideals of Islam.
I would also like to remove one more confusion, According to Pakistani constitution, a non muslim can become Prime Minister (PM), Chief Minister (CM), Minister, Advisor and whatever he wants to become except President and Governor (for which there are reasons). We are a parlimentary system, so if you want to work for the betterment of people of Pakistan, PM and CM are the best positions for that because they are the Chief Executives. So please, dont give wrong information. If you dont have knowledge, then remain silent on that.
I also think that those who do kidnappings for ransom dont consider religion before kidnapping a person. Muslims are also being kidnapped in this country. Unfortunately, these are the times we are living in. Dont complicate things by involving religion in it…Recommend
Totally agree with you Kapil, I belong to the so-called mainstream ‘Muslim Sect of Pakistan’, and i hate it when the orthodox are scared to own their own history just because that would mean they would have to find the right excuses for the hatred they have been creating in the minds of the young in the name of religion.
only a year back i came to know that the first national anthem of pakistan was written by a hindu on the request of Jinnah and shortly after that we were celebrating Jinnah day at our university, i decided to share this little fact, but unfortunately it was suggested that it should not be mentioned as it is controversial :S
our first law minister was a hindu, is a fact i get to know today :(, and i am sure the narrow minded will find sumthing to contradict it with.Recommend
I have honor of meeting few Pakistanis who are Hindus, and I say without any doubt in my mind that they are few of the best and most patriotic Pakitanis that I have ever come across. Not that they need certificate from anyone.
For general public who do not have the chance of meeting with them, please remember Justice Bhagwan Das and the integrity with which he discharged his duties.Recommend
Spot on Kapil! 5 out of 5!
And to those who are being skeptical of this, writer is not spreading negativity. The present religious discrimination in pakistan is because of narrow minded people who refuse to listen to reality unless it is tagged as being “Islamic”. And yes it does exist, come out of denial. So called Mullahs have exploited our people more than anyone else. They have more innocent blood on their hands than anyone else. The innocent blood of hindus, christians, ahmadis, sikhs, parsis ; their only misfortune was that they were on the wrong side of the border. An imaginary border drawn only in our minds. Tolerance is the only way forward people! Develop it before things get way out of hand.Recommend
@ Hadi Ansar
Islam does not require that non muslims be called “”zimmies.” Jews in Madina were not called zimmies.
this was done by some Muslims. Islam never asked for itRecommend
Objective Resolution was the first step by Liaqat to get away with the Secular Ideals, Bhutto then brought in all the fuel on earth for extremism, to let Zia make fire out of it, and burn the state in hatred lit fires…Recommend
@ kapil…
when i started to read this article i dint look at the author’s name, and as i was reading my class fellow’s words echoed in my ears.. and when i read kapil’s name in one of the comments.. i was like oooh so it’s u… very well written kapil….Recommend
What I can’t understand is why we must look at people as belonging to this or that religion. Can’t the state and its citizens see every citizen is a human being with equal rights?Recommend
Sad, just shows the dangers of defining a state and its citizens within a narrow definition of religious identity. That identity which is based more on exclusion rather than inclusion. Defining a person as a non-something rather than just a citizen is a terrible thing. Equality is not possible within a narrow definition, it has to be based on a more broader outlook like humanism, seeing every person as just an equal human and nothing else. I think the state’s religious identity has become so strong that it has simply forgotten its minorities. It seems that for the state, they don’t really matter. The state has abandoned a section of its citizens. There should be special provisions in any constitution to protect them and these should not be of a religious nature as the narrow identity of say religion, language, ethnicity, race is exclusive in nature, rather any such thing should be based on principles of equality of all human beings irrespective of any narrow definition. A lot of people might think that religion covers the whole of life, it doesnt, that is the danger, to make something all pervading when it isnt (as it is exclusive to those outside of it).Recommend
Nice article; however nothing new. when a state is based on religious principles, it acts as it is. The fact is, Pakistan was created on the principles of religion, i.e. to protect religious minorities from Hindu majority; not all the minorities, just Muslim minorities. Therefore, it is futile to believe it ever existed as a secular state and more insane to expect that people would have behaved differently. Even Jinnah had it been alive, would have changed in the due course. The proof is, what Zia did, helped him to retain the power. The subsequent governments could not undo it and still we are seeing the bar revering murderers like Qadri and banning Shenzen. This prevail to gross level if they are in the minds of many, and the fact is that Pakistan is no more a state but has an ambition to lead the cause of Islam, whcih eventually will result into the complete annhilation of it as a state…..Recommend
i dont agree , its not only us where miniorities get suppressed dude . cmon take a look around its everywhere in this globe . Even muslim would repress a muslim when it comes to which province you belong to, in the pakistan . so chill out , part of life . :) cheersRecommend
and then we Muslims feel offended when France proposes their anti-veil law? if that’s not hypocritical, then nothing is! if we want equality, we’d have to start at our own home instead of throwing a tantrum when other nations of the world do what we have been doing ourselves…
@Skeptic: mate, read history…Jama’at-e-Islami opposed the idea of Pakistan…they only jumped on the bandwagon that was the Pakistan movement after it was evident that their support, or lack of it, had no bearing on how things would play out…and then they hijacked Pakistan and the philosophy behind it…
@narayana murthy: seriously? your identity is one of the most important things…if you loose it, you are no one…when you are no one, no one cares no matter how much you suffer…the first step towards solving the problems of the minorities is to acknowledge the minorities instead of just painting them all as ‘gher-muslim’…thats just sad!
Regards,
A Muslim Bloke…Recommend
I can only imagine the disillusionment of a Pakistani Hindu boy, sitting in a school listening to his teacher tell them about how Hindus and Muslims can never coexist peacefully together. . And what lessons do Muslim kids take from it? That’s the two nations theory, apparently the raison d’etre of Pakistan
Do we need Sherlock to figure out why there’s so much intolerance for religious ideologies other than Islam?Recommend
Good article Kapil, but asking about taking sides in india pakistan match doesn’t necessarily mean that your affiliation with pakistan is doubted. Nevertheless, going through the comments it is obvious that majority of pakistanis have open heart for minorities including me. Lets not make assumptions based on rare examples.Recommend
@javed:
he is absolutely right!! belonging to a minority sect in Pakistan i can tell you that the treatment we receive is pathetic…the phrase non-muslim has come to mean not belonging to Pakistan..even though we were born here, raised here, were educated here, and have been doing out part for this country and will continue to do so despite the small mindedness of some dumb peopleRecommend
Pakistan is an Islamic country and it’s constitution discriminates non-muslims. I think If pakistan is to survive, it should become secular.Recommend
Kapil, Seeing from your end, i think ur right.But its just not the Hindu-Muslim issue in Pakistan rite now.Our country is being divided on the basis of Language,cast,religion etc and by religion i dunt only mean Islam and Hinduism…..They are many divisions in Islam as well namely Sunni, Shias, Deobandis and Barelwis.So they is an overeall chaos in the system.I dunt know how but someone from somewhere has to stand up and has to finish these differences.Recommend
@javed: are you serious? you are going to pick on that one statement? The urdu word ghair translated into english does mean “other” and other generally contextualized does mean: “not one of your own”—he was making a point—yes the colloquial meaning of the word ghair musalman is simply that: “not muslim”—but, there is something to be said for semanticsRecommend
Kapil: great article—I am sorry that other Pakistanis refuse to accept you as a Pakistani—I remember someone I once knew asking me: “how can Muslims play in the Indian team, do they not feel guilty about playing against a Muslim team?”—i didn’t know that religion had anything to do with patriotism—and playing for a team doesn’t make you anti-Muslims—I would expect every single Pakistani to be on the bandwagon to support the Pakistani team, irrespective of their religions—I am a born Pakistani and a naturalized Canadian—whenever there is a hockey match between Canada and the US, I support Canada—but whenever there is a cricket match between Pakistan and Canada, I support Pakistan (other than the obvious fact that Pakistan is a better and more experienced team than Canada)—-
You own as much part in the Hilel and Sitara as much as I do—and you should be proud to call yourself a Pakistani—Unfortunately, Pakistan is one nation that has been a true victim of misguided leadership of selfish motives—with not even the clearest Idea of what Islam says. Even by Islamic Law, you would still be a Pakistani—it saddens meRecommend
@RAW is WAR:
wow, really? that is some serious hate speech—how would you like it if Muslims all around the world started being persecuted and being told to leave because they have over-stayed their welcome—I deal with this sort of negative rhetoric living in the West and we sit here trying to ask for equal rights and screaming for it, when my fellow countrymen do the same to people of other races and religion–absolutely disgustingRecommend
Kapil bro,
These Mullahs will never let Pakistan to become a tolerant state so my brotherly advice to you is leave this country and go to place where you can become its president or the Prime Minister. By excluding non muslims for the elections of those prestigious positions, state has clearly shown discrimination towards them.Recommend
I would love to know why you want to be a Pakistani?Recommend
the article depicted the common perception we have about non-Muslims very well… we should understand that religion and nationality are two different perspectives….Recommend
Great article Kapil. I feel you!Recommend
Kapil,
I am a Pakistani Muslim (in that order) to me you are always Pakistani. That for me is the most important identity what follows after the Pakistani is irrelevant. If nothing else, I , at least consider you as my fellow country man. Please don’t lose heart or faith things will change and are changing. Thanks for writing this and keep up with informing people as through this debate attitudes will change. Please also take this to the Urdu and regional language press.
Peace!Recommend
until Pakistan adopts non. muslim state policy..u r not safeRecommend
Dude – there is no alternative. It should not have taken people with ‘other options’ 65 years to figure out that they are no longer welcome in the land of their forefathers. You need to see Pakistan as similar to any of the other Islamic countries in the world (pick any one) – you have ther right to seek a livelihood as a termporary resident with no rights – do not fall foul of the law (or the mobs) as you cannot expect true justice. If this upsets you, then exercise your options, there are many places in the world (including India, of course) where your religion does not matter. But I respect your anguish.Recommend
Kapil,
Work hard, save a lot of money, get out of Pakistan.
From 20% non-Muslims the number has come down to 3%. With growing radicalization you and your family will be sitting duck to the Taliban, God forbid, if they ever come to power.
And, there is a pretty good chance that a Taliban sympathizer will come to power in the next elections.
I know its hard to move out a Country that you have loved, but you have to be pragmatic in life. You have a lot to offer the World, seeing your writing.Recommend
@Pinky
‘Kapil, you are a Pakistani…”
That’s being economical with truth.
Kapil is a 2nd class Pakistani by the constitution.
And offering career options like medicine,engineering……Well thank god for small mercies.Recommend
A ‘ghair’ is someone who is a stranger.
Ghair-musalman implies BOTH being ‘not of’ and ‘not belonging with’ as strangers ‘do not belong with’.
In any case, you get the point he was making. The fact that 11 people gave your comment a thumbs up is appalling to see. In fact I believe by pointing out such a pedantic non-issue, you have given those who were stumped by the writer’s frankness and openness to root and rave about this triviality instead of grasp the bigger picture.
Well done. You’re spreading bigotry and ignorance.Recommend
The poor Muslims aren’t being persecuted or marginalized on the basis of their religion (oh unless they are Shia, Ismaili, or another denomination). Christians and other minorities ARE heavily discriminated against.Recommend
@Pakistani Hindu
‘We want secular Pakistan.”
You may want what you like, but the jury was out 1400 years ago.
Look for the exit door, for you and for your children.Recommend
I remember nawab bugti calling hindu residents of fort as part of bugti body. I never felt different from my hindu neighbours in sindh, but when i go to punjab, i see lots of intolerance among different muslim sects and againt ahmadis, christians, shias. Punjab should lead towards tolerant Pakistan.Recommend
Wonderful write up Kapil! I agree with ur point of view 100%Recommend
@AN:
how can you tell someone what their motherland is??? how would you like it if someone came up to you and told you to go live in arabia, your motherland, because you are amuslim?
you wouldnt like it would you?? so watch yourself!Recommend
Let me be honest, however hard you may try, they will never accept you as one unless you change your religion like Yousaf Youhana. They never accepted Dr. Abdus Salam as one of them despite all his achievements. I lived in Pakistan for 40 years with this hope that things will change but they are only deteriorating so I left the country a year ago. Some of us will always be the children of a lesser God.Recommend
Dear Kapil, though I respect your feelings, however, I tend to differ with you. If less than 1% Jews can dominate the American trade and politics, why can’t you guys think of the same. Jews have been brutalized time and again. However, still they are a force to reckon with. India never had more than 15-20 thousand British people in India. However, they ruled us all. Its not the number which matters. Its the resolve to succeed what matters. We Hindus of India have suffered multiple invasions and have been ruled by Muslims and British Christians, We never gave up. I will advise that you remain in Pakistan and struggle for the rights of minorities. Take some lessons from persons like Martin Luther King. I am sure Hindus of Pakistan are not as bad as the blacks were in America till 1960s. History is full of examples for such issues.Recommend
Ghair Muslim means somebody who is not a Muslim – there is nothing wrong with that. And please don’t distort jinnahs quotes for the creation of Pakistan. If Pakistan was to be secular, then why was it made? We could have just been one India. Even a lay man understands that.Recommend
@Skeptic: Seems like Allah took away the Sovereignty of East Pakistan from West Pakistan. So is it that Sovereignty belongs to Allah only if you gain power or does it work the other way round as well?Recommend
Hey Kapil, come to India or some western country(better option as citizenship is easier) with your family and help your extended family too before your children or grandchildren are forced to become mirs, khans,etc. Its a bitter truth.Recommend
It is a very heartfelt article… i agree to the animosity that kapil feels, sadly this state houses selfish people who disown one another very quickly. when will we realize that feeling hatred will lead us no where. 60 years have passed and we stand on square one. insecurity destroys us within ourselves and we need no outer force to harm us. Islam clearly says to give people of other religion and to their house of worship respect then who are we sinful people to disobey? Islamic state means that the majority living in this country are muslims and all islamic rituals can be practised. it however does not say that non muslims cannot live peacefully among us. they are afterall humans. in this century it is unfortunate to know that the human minds still belong stone age and are rigid to broad thinking. Pakistan is on the verge of make or break, our decisions now will decide the future we want for our generations. Is it blood shed or peace??Recommend
dude!!!!!!! i have some Hindu and christen friends ….honestly speaking no one discriminate them in our collages and universities …i am agree with there r some elements how r spreading hatred and target minorities tu fulfil there but believe me every single pakistani wants to see u happy and progressive ……..best of luckRecommend
And while I reiterate that I sympathize with your situation, can’t really blame a lot of Pakistanis for asking you which team you would support in an India-Pak cricket match, when your parents appear to have named you after an all-time Indian cricketing great :).Recommend
It is a scared duty of the majority to protect the minority at all cost. It is the burden that majority has to carry.
Every Pakistani knows that his /her country deliberately discriminates against the minority. Yet, they seek refuge in the name of Islam by quoting justice, tolerance, equity, protection etc. All of you know that is not what practiced in PAK.
Shame on all of you, for doing nothing.Recommend
You didn’t mention Bhutto’s role.Recommend
The only group which feels some what comfortable in Pakistan are the Sunnis. Hindus come at the bottom of the hierarchy after the ahmediyas even though they have a legitimate claim of being the followers of the ancient culture of this land and not a culture imported from Arabia. But that doesn’t count as forces foreign to original culture of the land dominate. There can be no good outcome in a situation like this. So better pack up and leave.Recommend
y would a pakistani hindu be ashamed when he/she is called an Indian. i can understand y a indian muslim would never want to be called a pakistani.Recommend
@javed:
Why there is a need/urge to identify someone (read fellow citizen) based on religion. Why one can’t simply be Pakistani? Why we have to identify as a non-muslim?Recommend
A very serious note!Recommend
New fashion amongst certain wannabes in Pakistan – talk against Islam, Pakistan and complain about how extreme and discriminatory Pakistan is, and you would appear modern, liberal and forward thinking. And the best forum to do it- ET! When in actuall fact theyre all a bunch of wannabes.Recommend
The non-Muslims or minorities know who they are and where they stand which is certainly not an enviable place. The tragedy today is that the religiously intolerant have created an atmosphere where a Muslim does not accept another Muslim as his brother and in his self-righteousness is willing to kill to justify his thinking.Recommend
Look at the picture, a christian is protesting against the burning of Qurans. Any muslim stand up for minorities when they are targeted?Recommend
Kapil Dev:
Yes you will be,the day Pakistanis like me start to matter,to whom you can belong to any religion and caste,that has nothing to do with state affairs.
Keep raising your voice Kapil,i am your fellow Muslim Pakistani and you don’t need any patriot certificate from anyone..not from Muslims,not form the state,you are son of the soil like i am but this is also the truth that the radicalized are in majority in our country..Recommend
The Worst tragedy is that the liberal and ultra-liberal people this country had ever had like Bhutto and Musharraf also did nothing about these issues and incase of Bhutto he rather exacerbated it to preserve his clout.. Hope some day we develop a sense of belonging and own these minorities.Recommend
Pakistan is hijacked by Rich millitry and fuedals of pakistan.
some time i think there was no need to creat a seprate country for muslims of india sun conti
nent.think i guess it was a poison injected in Hindus and muslims peoples for all most hudred
years that exploded finnaly in 1940 or may be the class diffrence created by English bet Hindu and Muslim was reason too… oh god knows but Mr Kipil Dev u are native pakistani like
any body else.Recommend
Great article.
Reforms are urgently needed. It’s an uphill battle against religious intolerance, prejudice and bigotry, which is widespread and persuasive in Pakistan, and sadly condoned by the state due to an adopted dogmatic religious narrative. Be it in barring Hindu or Christian minorities from positions, or discriminating against Ahmadis in passports. Then there’s the everyday ignorance, hypocrisy and the frequent violence.
I’m personally pessimistic, considering even now the growing intolerance against minority non-Sunni Muslims, such as Shia Muslims, by a Sunni majority that is growing more and more religiously conservative, adopting specific negative beliefs from Wahhabi/Salafi/Deoband/Barelvi sub-sects. Even if a moderate or liberal Sunni Muslim were to stand up for the rights of minorities, they sadly get targeted too by extremists.Recommend
You are more Pakistani than any of these Muslims who don’t even care for Pakistan.Recommend
Very nice effort Kapil and you have put the situation in words perfectly. Highlights the Problems with Pakistan doesn’t necessary mean that we are “only” condemning the country, it means that we are aware and that we want to change it , and only by doing that Pakistan can be a secure place for Muslims and others minorities, who have or should have equal right and respect :)Recommend
@IndiKid
There are others too like Shiekhs and Rajput Assad Ali…Recommend
@Kapil Dev,
I will advised u man never ever go to india if u need some examples in Mir pur khas who migrated to india and came back with in months because of low castes.
@Rajendra kulkande
Jews of america are just blame man christians too are against muslims and taking revange of crusade wars..Recommend
Great way to describe plight of minorties in pakistan being muslim i feel sorry for u but i hope one day come one we have practically secular society which will ensure everyone respect being pakistan regardless of religous discrimination all above comments shows that our society is marching towards positivity thats amazing……..Recommend
Glad you came up with this Kapil :)
@Nadeem: I had been asked the same question before the world cup semi-final by colleagues at my university which supposedly inducts the most sophisticated and enlightened students in our country. God knows how the poor guys living in the slums, populated by the educationally deprived, are treated like! :(Recommend
@Osman: Really? Ghair in this context means “not”. Like ghair janibdar, not ghair as in stranger. Its really important considering you are living in Pakistan. Criticizing Pakistan and Pakistanis, is all well and really needed in today’s society, but lets be fair about it, dont make things up just to criticize for the heck of it, as you go along.Recommend
@sick of this nonsense:
What you say doesn’t matter much, Sick. What matters is what extent you are willing to risk yourself and your family to oppose the extremists. Otherwise you allow them to re-shape your religion and your country to their own will.Recommend
Minorities allways complains any where in the world why is that????Recommend
@Ali:
The hybrid “Mullahtary”, which has gained widespread currency, seems more appropriate than the two Ms (Mullahs and Military) as far as Pakistan is concerned. I can only say: God save Pakistan. By mixing up religion and state — separating the state and Church has been the best policy and it works everywhere — Pakistan is headed towards a Medieval society where righteousness and civilized behaviour will be gradually and steadily replaced by barbarism and fanaticism with absolutely zero tolerance toward people of different faiths and also toward women whose place, as one fanatic mullah was recently screaming, is “inside a cage”. In that respect, Pakistan looks a poor show compared to the tolerance practised — despite all the negative propaganda by Pakistan’s mullahs and military — in India which has seen three Muslim Presidents, a lady President, a Sikh Prime Minister in a country which has a predominantly Hindu majority (nearly 85%). No wonder, Indian Muslims and even Kashmiris have become wary of Pakistan which has become synonymous with a failed state. What a waste of precious 65 years since Independence? Was it worth the separation if the intention was to create an Islamic state run by extremists and not a state for Muslims, as Kapil rightly points out?Recommend
@Waqas
Most likely he (that Christian in the picture) is doing it to earn a few precious points to save his life,property and honour.A Muslim in Pakistan has no incentive in doing a simillar act of solidarity.Common sense, my dear.Recommend
@narayana murthy:
You should give the same suggestion to Muslims in India.Recommend
@Osman:
Shias or Ismailis are the least persecuted of minorities.Recommend
Very well written. The article depicts a clear picture of religious minorities in Pakistan. Mr Jogindarnath Mandal had resigned in as Law Minister, protesting against the passing of the Objective resolution. This resolution has not done as much damage to religious minorities as it has done to Pakistan. Separation of East Pakistan in 1971 and infighting going on between provinces and every other issue which has brought this country to present condition is due to a direct or indirect implication of this resolution.Recommend
I belong to Shia minority, and I agree with people who advise you to migrate for better future (there is nothing un patriotic about it, never let man made boundaries impose on your free will). But let me warn you no matter where you end up, if you were born and raised in Pakistan, you will always live there in spirit. That’s just human nature. Now this is the reason I’m more aware about Pakistan even though I don’t meet a Pakistani or Muslims sometimes for months and months.Recommend
You are a Pakistani Kapil
Don’t let these parhay likhay jahil people to get to youRecommend
@Skeptic: dude check out how religious your founding father Qaid-d-Azam Jinnah was. He was a secular person. Check the history and the intellectuals who have written on it. Don’t be emotional here. Objective resolution killed Jinnah’s Pakistan. Unfortunately it is fast becoming Taliban’s PakistanRecommend
@Pakistani: dude check out all the latest news where the minority girls are kidnapped and raped. After rape they are taken to Qazi and forced to get married to a muslim person..http://barenakedislam.com/2012/01/18/rape-jihad-forced-conversions-of-hindu-girlswomen-to-islam/ ….and for your information No Non-Muslim can become prime minister.
Here a news link for you – http://www.christiannewstoday.com/ChristianNewsReport_16.html
So get your facts correct. Don’t live in state of deniel.
I don’t understand as soon as someone says there are atrocities done to minorities, every start shouting “Atrocities are happening to muslims as well”. Those uneducated literate people should give a little more stress on their tiny brain. Abduction of girls for conversion, not able to become prime minister, hate speeches against minorities,etc,etc,etc are problem faced by minorities not majority !!!! Don’t compare apple from oranges.Recommend
You don’t need a certificate from anyone to be called a Pakistani. You are Pakistani, if you want to be. The country is in bad state and all of us need to pull our weight (some harder than others) to bring it through it. No one said it will be easy. A nation needs blood sweat and toil to rise. Are you wIth me Kapila?Recommend
Kapil, you are my brother. you are a pakistani. we love you. and beg for forgiveness for the behavior of others.Recommend