Tuesday, 20 October 2015

PLIGHT OF MINORITIES

                                                
For nearly last three months there has been a sudden row in the country as a class of people have been clamouring over the alleged outrages against the minorities. In this connection they quote the incidents like the murder of two literary persons and cow slaughter. These incidents have come handy to the intellectuals who were leading an ignored status after the new dispensation at the Centre, to suddenly wake up and steal the limelight. In an earlier blog here, the subject had been touched upon. Today, after seeing the miserable condition of some Hindus of  Pakistan on a TV channel, I thought it better to post a blog for the friends who might have missed the show.
Some months back, after applying for a religious visa to go to Haridwar on a pilgrimage in 2014, they were obliged by the Pak govt. Accordingly 88 Hindus of six families came here on a 6-month visa. Their visa has expired and the Indian authorities who are persuading them to return to their native country, have extended the visa for a fortnight. Now these unfortunate people are clustered in a village in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. As a matter of fact these people, prior to 1947 were having settlements in the region which got divided into India and Pakistan. When the division took place, they were stuck up in the area which formed the part of Pakistan. Actually they are originally from a village, now in India. So they are ready to die but not to go back to to which is worse than a hell for the minorities. The plight of the Hindus there, as narrated by these sufferers is so heartrending that reference to it here may be disturbing. But the most objectionable part is that any Hindu girl entering into teens is forcefully abducted by the muslims, converted and married. Even in schools, Hindu students are forced to sweep the floor, wash the toilets and not taught anything.
The TV anchor quoted some demographic figures which are unbelievable. In 1947 there were 15% Hindus in Pakistan which in 1998 got reduced to 1.6%. In Karachi in 1947 there were 51% Hindus and 42% Muslims. In 1998, the Muslims increased to 96% whereas the Hindus got reduced to nearly 2%. It may be added here that Pakistan has not conducted any census since 1998. The latest data are bound to surprise anybody.What is the explanation of the Pak authorities on these strange demographic figures? The Hindus living in Pakistan are looking for opportunities to flee to India. On the other hand, no Muslim, even the Kashmiri wants to go to Pakistan. That tells the story.

In 1990, all on a sudden some four lakh Pandits of Kashmir had to desert their home and hearth. Since then they are living like refugees in different cities of the country. For last 25 years they have been leading a wretched life. How many Sahitya Akademi laureates surrendered their laurels? Are the said scattered incidents of India more painful than the above two.  Did Munnawar Rana, the Urdu poet who wrote a poem in praise of Mrs. Sonia Gandhi ever think to compose some lines for the Pak minorities and Kashmiri Hindus?Let us think.   

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