Rights of Minorities: Pakistan Elected Lower-Caste Hindu Woman to Senate

By Sajjad Shaukat

At the beginning of March, this year, a Hindu woman from a lower caste-Dalit has been elected to the Senate for the first time in Pakistan.

Krishna Kumari a human rights activist and member of the Pakistan Peoples Party was elected as a senator on March 3, 2018, and a Taliban-linked cleric was defeated.

Krishna Kumari told The Associated Press: “I feel delighted; this was unthinkable for me to reach the Senate.”

Every year, on August 11, Pakistan officially observes the National Minorities Day honour the services and sacrifices, rendered by religious minorities for the country over the years. This very day also recognizes the contribution and sacrifices of minorities in the creation of Pakistan and nation-building.

It has always been the endeavour of the Government to safeguard fundamental rights, safety, security, honour, life, liberty and prosperity of minorities in line with the historic speech of founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. In his speech, Quaid-e-Azam said, “You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”

It is notable that in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, the Constitution of 1973 protects the real rights and interest of minorities, living in Pakistan.

In 2014, Shahid Mairaj, the Dean of the Cathedral stated in his message, on August 11, “The governing principle is to let people of every faith live in peace as they choose, and understand that the state belongs to everyone. This country is our mother, and it is a duty for all of us to help it to advance and flourish.”

In this regard, Member Punjab Assembly and minorities’ leader Najmi Saleem had remarked, “Minorities in Pakistan have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens”.

Minister Incharge for National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti said, “The Minorities Day provides us with an opportunity to renew the pledge for the promotion of tolerance and interfaith harmony as in a pluralistic society, there can always be a divergence of opinion on a number of issues, but these differences can be solved through interfaith harmony which means a cooperative and positive interaction between people of different religions, traditions, faiths, and spiritual or humanistic beliefs, at all levels.”

He acknowledged by pointing out, “Many steps have been taken by the Government for the protection and promotion of minorities like the reservation of 5 percent quota in Government jobs/services, enhancement representation in the parliament, declaration of August 11 as the Minorities Day, including observance of optional holidays and celebration of the festivals of minorities at official level”.

A Sikh leader, Sardar Bishan Singh have shared similar thoughts and pointed out that all citizens of Pakistan worked together for the growth of the country.

It is mentionable that the Ministry of National Harmony was formed after the devolution of Ministry of Minority Affairs to acknowledge the sacrifices and services of minorities to promote peace, patience and tolerance for creating an understanding and brotherhood among the people of different schools of thought.

However, since the formation of Pakistan, minorities are contributing in every sphere of life and their political involvement is also worth appreciating.

While, India which claims an arch secular state has surprised the world because of continued attacks on other minority groups, Christians, Muslims and Sikhs, including Hindus of lower-casts such as Dalits-the untouchables.

Unlike India, where religious minorities are being targeted by the Hindu fundamentalist outfits like the ruling party BJP, RSS, Shiv Sena etc., all the minorities such as Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Buddhists enjoy fundamental rights in Pakistan, including all other rights of the citizenry in Pakistan.

Nevertheless, Pakistan which came into existence on the basis of Islamic principles to provide respect and protection to all the segments of society is giving full safety to all the minorities as mentioned in the Constitution. Besides other minority groups, particularly Christians are not only serving in the armed forces but are also working in other departments. Without any discrimination by the Muslims, all the minorities, including Hindus also run their own business and are working in private sectors.

The commendable role played by our heroes from minorities in the nation-building like Group Captain Cecil Chaudhry (Fighter pilot, Human Rights Activist), Brig (R) Simon Shroff, Chief Justice Alvin Bobby and Robert Cornelius (4^th CJ of Pakistan) might be cited as an instance.

Particularly, Rana Bhagwandas was the first Hindu and the non-Muslim who was appointed acting Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan for a few days in 2005 and 2006, during the absence of former Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from the country. He was again appointed as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan during the judicial crisis in 2007. After retirement from the Supreme Court, Bhagwandas was appointed as the Federal Public Service Commission (FPSC) chairman in November 2009.

There have been numerous non-Muslims who have risen to the rank of Brigadier; and in 1990, the first Christian promoted to the Rank of Major General was Julian Peter who commanded the 14th Div in Okara Cantt. Capt. Hercharn Singh, the first Sikh as Commissioned Officer in Pakistan Army.

It is of particular attention that although Diwali or Deepavali is the spiritual festival of Hindus, yet every year, it is also celebrated in Pakistan, as tens of thousands of Hindus are living in this country.

Diwali festival is commemorated in entire Pakistan. Especially, in Sindh where a majority of Hindus live, Muslims also participate in Diwali celebrations and give gifts sweets and flowers to their Hindus friends.

We can conclude that victory of a Hindu woman from a lower caste Dalit in the Senate election proves that there is no discrimination against the religious minorities in Pakistan, while all religious minorities, including Hindus, are quite safe in Pakistan.