By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor) Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Islamabad :Pakistan's Minister for Minorities, Shahbaz Bhatti, has taken notice of abduction of a minor girl belonging to the Hindu community, and pledged to get her released at the earliest.
In a statement, the minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure the safe release of the Hindu girl, the Daily Times reported.
He stressed for conducting a special operation for the purpose as early as possible, and said that the kidnappers would be dealt with iron hands.
The three and a half year old girl, Aanchal, was kidnapped from outside a Hindu temple in Kashmore district of the Sindh province on Thursday.
Targeting: The President of Pakistan (President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan), Ambassador Haqqani (Ambassador of Pakistan to the United States), and Leonard Leo (USCIRF)
HUMAN RIGHTS ALERT: Bakhtiarabad, Balochistan, PAKISTAN: Two Hindu businessmen are kidnapped, whereabouts remain unknown
Issues: Continuing trend of abduction/killing of minority Hindu businesspeople, lack of protection for minorities in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Dear Friends, Several news agencies have reported the ambush/abduction of local businessmen, Mr. Darshan Lal and Mr. Kanhaiya Lal . This occurred on the eve of a United States Religious Freedom Report slamming Pakistan for its lack of protection of its minority population.
Case details: On November 22nd, 2010, armed kidnappers pulled the two traders out of their van and took them to an unknown location. Their whereabouts remain unknown. A search and rescue mission has been undertaken by the government of Pakistan but without any success in locating the traders. This is in an area of Pakistan in which the Taliban and its operatives are known to threaten minorities including Christians, Hindus, and Sikhs.
Petition Text
Please help us bring kidnappers to justice
Greetings,
It has come to my attention that minority and refugee populations are very threatened in many areas of Pakistan. An excellent example of this is the recent abduction of Mr. Darshan Lal and Mr. Kanhaiya Lal. The daily intimidation and threats of violence are daily facets of life for many minorities living in Pakistan. It should be noted that many of these cases go unreported due to stigma, corruption and poor access to justice, leaving the victims without any help or protection while the perpetrators benefits from impunity. Victims and their families are also threatened not to report the incidents to the police. For example, Mr. Veerji Kolhi, a Hindu human rights worker, was abducted in August 2010 and has not been located to date. Therefore, I urge the Pakistani authorities to:
1. To make all efforts necessary to restore both of the above named to their families 2. To catch the perpetrators responsible for these crimes 3. Increased security measures to protect minorities living in Pakistan
This is the fourth such kidnapping of a Hindu merchant in Balochistan this year. I also understand that in many cases the local authorities have failed to intervene or even acted in collusion with the perpetrators. I urge the Pakistani government and local authorities to catch the perpetrators responsible for this heinous crime and send a message of zero tolerance of abuse towards minorities.
By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor) Tuesday, November 30, 2010
(Former information minister and Pakistan People’s Party MNA Sherry Rehman had submitted a private member’s bill as she believed that blasphemy laws as set out in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) found their roots in colonial laws. – AFP Photo)
ISLAMABAD: Amid announcements by the religious forces in the country to resist any move to change the blasphemy laws, former information minister and Pakistan People’s Party MNA Sherry Rehman has submitted a bill to the National Assembly Secretariat seeking an end to the death penalty under the existing blasphemy laws.
Talking to Dawn here on Monday, Ms Rehman said that she had submitted a private member’s bill as she believed that blasphemy laws as set out in the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) found their roots in colonial laws and had in their present form become a source of victimisation and persecution of the minorities in the country. The amendments to the Blasphemy Act, she said, were intended to ensure that all citizens of Pakistan had an equal right to constitutional protection and that miscarriages of justice in the name of blasphemy were avoided at all costs.
“The bill amends both the PPC and the Code of Criminal Procedure, the two main sources of criminal law. The aim is to amend the codes to ensure protection of Pakistan’s minorities and vulnerable citizens, who routinely face judgments and verdicts in the lower courts where mob pressure is often mobilised to obtain a conviction,” she said.
According to Ms Rehman, the definition of the term “blasphemy” is currently vague, yet it carries a mandatory death sentence. Also, she said, there were serious problems with the mechanisms to implement the law. She said her proposed bill would rationalise the punishments prescribed for offences relating to religion provided under Sections 295 and 298 of the PPC.
By Mohammad S.Solanki (Managing Editor) Tuesday, November 30, 2010
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Mukesh Kumar Date: Mon, Nov 8, 2010 at 1:58 AM Subject: all Events of Happy Dewali in Pakistan By: HAF-PHP-HRF To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)
Respected PHP Reader's
Hope you will be fine there,Happy Dewali to you and your family , Friends.
We are organized Dewali Celebration in Rahim Yar Khan under the bener of HAF-PHP and Scheduled Caste Rights Movement.Please find an attach file of celebration at Ramesh Jaipal Home with District Coordination Officer Rahim Yar Khan.
0n 5 Nov,2010 evening we are organized at Ramesh jaipal house and at late night We are organized the celebration event at Chak # 135 rural area of Rahim Yar Khan, there the Chief Guest is Kamran Maical provincial Minister for Minorities Punjab.
By Arvind Iyer (PHP Internation Humar Rights Coordinator) Tuesday, November 30, 2010
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Arvind Iyer Date: Wed, Nov 17, 2010 at 1:02 PM Subject: Fwd: Religion, Peace and Development: Afghanistan and Pakistan To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)
Dear Colleague:
Please join us at the roundtable titled, "Religion, Peace and Development: Afghanistan and Pakistan" at the Berkley Center for Religion, Peace and World Affairs on December 3rd, 2010 at 12 noon. The roundtable aims to engage communities to discuss how religion and inter-religious communities can be a force to bring peace and prosperity in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
We hope that you will be able to join us for this unique discussion. This event is open to the public and the media. Please find attached further information regarding the event.
By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor) Monday, November 29, 2010
(Photo : Map of Kashmore Dist. in Sindh State of Pakistan)
Islamabad : Unidentified armed men kidnapped a three-year-old Hindu girl in Pakistan's Sindh province, triggering a protest by members of the minority community who asked authorities to trace the child immediately.
Residents of Kashmore in Sindh organised a sit-in protest outside a police station yesterday to protest the kidnapping of the girl named Anchal from Hindu Mohalla on Wednesday night.
Anchal had reportedly gone to a temple with her eight-year-old sister Kashish and her mother on Wednesday.
When the sisters stepped out of the temple to buy some snacks, three armed men grabbed Anchal and fled.
The kidnapped girl's father, Ganesh Chand, who runs a cable TV network, told The Express Tribune newspaper that his daughters were eating snacks outside the temple when the armed men arrived on a motorcycle.
The men first tried to grab hold of a boy but he managed to escape, following which they grabbed Anchal and sped off.
Chand said one of the kidnappers, who was holding Anchal, fell off the motorcycle after travelling a distance of about 30 meters.
As people rushed towards him, his accomplices threatened to open fire, forcing them to back off.
Police have had no success in tracing the kidnappers so far.
Kashmore district police chief Syed Asad Raza Shah said the kidnappers had managed to cross over to neighbouring Balochistan province.
The Express Tribune reported that police were yet to register a case.
The Hindu Panchayat and Shahree Action Committee called for a strike yesterday to protest this lapse and all markets and shopping centres in Kashmore remained closed.
Hundreds of people, including Shahree Action Committee chief Qadir Nawaz Jakhrani and Chand, gathered outside the police station.
They shouted slogans against the police and demanded that the girl should be recovered immediately.
Jakhrani condemned the police for their failure to control crime, especially cases of kidnapping-for-ransom.
"Neither the police nor the elected representatives are taking any interest in working towards curbing crime... It feels like that they (police and elected representatives) want us to leave the district," he said.
Traders and other Hindus live with the stress of kidnappings, said Jakhrani, who criticised the parliamentarian and legislator who represent Kashmore.
The head of the Sukkur chapter of the Hindu Panchayat, Mukhi Eshwar Lal, expressed anxiety about the "lawlessness in Kashmore" and said that "the Hindus are being targeted particularly in this district, which is condemnable".
Earlier, Hindus were targeted in other districts like Ghotki, Jacobabad, Shikarpur and Sukkur though the situation improved after Sindh Home Minister Zulfiqar Mirza issued directives to police to crack down on such crimes, said Eshwar Lal.
He said the situation continued to be bad in Kashmore district, where Hindu children are often kidnapped for ransom.
Eshwar Lal appealed to the President, Prime Minister and provincial Home Minister to take notice of the kidnappings and to post "dedicated police officers" in Kashmore to control the law and order situation.
By Dr.radhe Shyam Kumar (Managing Editor) Monday, November 29, 2010
(Photo : Sikhs performing Nagar Kirtan in Delhi -Indian Capital- during Nanak Jayanti)
Lahore : Pakistani authorities have stopped hundreds of visiting Sikh pilgrims from organising nagar kirtan, a religious procession, to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev at Gurdwara Janam Asthan in Punjab’s Nankana Sahib district.
The pilgrims have also been prohibited, citing security concerns, from performing parkash (prayer) at Nankana Sahib’s seven adjacent gurdwaras affiliated to Guru Nanak.
Nagar kirtan carries Sikhs’ sacred book Guru Granth Sahib in a palki (palanquin) through the streets of Nankana Sahib touching seven gurdwaras affiliated to Baba Guru Nanak.
The procession starts at Gurdwara Janam Asthan and touches on its way Gurdwara Patti Sahib, Gurdwara Balila Sahib (the place of childhood), Gurdwara Tambu Sahib (tent), Gurdwara Chaouni Sahib (place of stay), Gurdwara Guru Patshahi Sahib and Gurdwara Malje Sahib before culminating at Gurdwara Kiara Sahib (crops).
The seven gurdwaras are located in a row on the railway road in Nankana Sahib and have a history of affiliation with Baba Guru Nanak, where he played, prayed or grazed cattle.
There used to be an air conditioned bus to carry Guru Granth Sahib, but the practice was suspended after law and order situation in Pakistan started deteriorating.
The Sikh visitors have criticised the restrictions imposed by the Pakistani authorities, saying if Muslims are allowed to take out processions, they too should be given permission.
However, Evacuee Trust Property Board, the authority that allows or disallows rituals by minority communities, says its hands are tied owing to the poor law and order situation in the country.
According to former president of Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Bishon Singh, despite poor law and order situation, the Shia community was being allowed to take out processions and authorities were providing adequate security cover to them. He said the same security cover should be given to the visiting Sikhs.
By Krishna Jaipal (PHP Lahore) Monday, November 29, 2010
Islamabad - Over 4,000 Sikh pilgrims reached Pakistan by special trains through the Wagah border Friday to attend the 541st birth anniversary celebrations Nov 21 of Guru Nanak, the first guru of Sikhism, at his birthplace.
Tight security arrangements were made at the Wagah border near Lahore as the visiting pilgrims went through the customs and immigration.
The visitors were visibly happy to reach their destination for the highest religious pilgrimage for Sikhs.
They were greeted on their arrival at the Wagah railway station by the president of the Pakistan Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sardar Sham Singh, and officials of the Evacuee Trust Property Board.
The visitors told IANS that both countries needed to make visa policies more flexible to allow more people to cross over for such religious activities.
'We are satisfied with the arrangements made for us and feel no security threat as such,' one of the pilgrims said.
Asif Hashmi, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board, said proper security arrangements have been made for the guests to avoid any untoward situation.
'Officials have been deputed at each pilgrimage site to help the Sikh pilgrims wherever they travel during their 10-day stay in the country,' he said.
The Sikh pilgrims will take part in the birthday celebrations Nov 21 in Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak Dev and the most revered pilgrimage site for Sikhs. They will later visit Hassan Abdal, Sacha Sauda and Aimen Abad and other religious sites. The pilgrims will return to India Nov 29.
By Mohammad S.Solanki (Managing Editor) Monday, November 29, 2010
---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sanjesh Date: Wed, Nov 24, 2010 at 10:27 AM Subject: Fwd: Hinglag Ki Yatra (SRSSM Team) To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)
Dear All, Kindly click this link then check this out video you must listen with headphone.
This is the message video kindly forward this video as much Hindus people in Pakistan & out of Pakistan.
KEEP HINGLAG YATRA CLEAN
A trip to the Terath (Pilgrimage) of past gods. This sacred place of pilgrimage for Hindus specially the devotees of Aadh Shakti Devi Maata is situated in the mountain cave "HINGLAJ" on the river bank of "HINGHOL" at the tail of Kheerthar mountains called Kanraj in tehsil Lyari of Balochistan province of Pakistan. It is considered one of the famous and largest TEERATHS Pilgramage of Subcontinent. LOCATION:
It is about 170 miles 250 KM from Karachi.One has to go by road on main Karachi-Quetta Highway (RCD) up to zero point for about 75 miles. Then by road towards west through Lyari town and then to Signal fauji camp stop,crosssing Aghore River. Then through Goongi River and last stop to "Asha Pura" sarai (INN). There are worship places of GANESH DEVA,MATA KALI,GURU GORAKH NATH DOONI,BRAHAM KUNDH,TIR KUNDH,MAHA KALI KUNDA,GURU NANAK KHARAO,RAM JAROKHA BETHAK,ANEEL KUNDH ON CHORASI MOUNTAIN and on the way CHANDRA GOOP , KHARI RIVER and AGHORI PUJA.
HISTORY
During the Treata Yuga, in the days of PERUSHURAM AVATAR , Rishi Dadechi narrated this story. In the TATARI MONGOL CLAN there lived a king named VICHATAR. He had two sons HINGOL and SUNDER. They belonged to Suria Dynasty of Kshtrya class. They were brave but cruel and lived luxurious lives. Their empire was adjacent to China. The people who lived in these countries belonged to Chandra Dynasty of Kshtrya Class and were followers of LORD SHIVA. Prince sunder attacked the neighboring countries and killed thousands of people and looted gold ornaments and demanded royalties from them. The people then prayed to Lord SHIVA to save them from the cruel prince by fulfilling their prayers and request , Lord SHIVA granted a boon where GANESH DEVA killed the demon prince Sunder in three days. After the death of Prince Sunder , his brother Hingola became furious and swore to take avenge his brother's death. He underwent penance and by his austerity for years he received the boon that no living being in the three worlds could kill him with any sort of weapon and his death will only occur at a place where Sunlight does not penetrate. He thereafter defeated other kings, extended his reign with terror and cruelty. He referred to himself as HINGOl DEVA. People became very sick and tired in his reign and they performed great Yagna Hawan in their Devi Mata Temple in order to get rid of HIngol , the King. Devi Mata appeared and promised to kill Hingol. Hingol came in SATA DEEP, presently located in Balochistan and went inside a dark cave where Devi Mata with her wooden weapon TRISHUL killed him. In his last moments of life hingol prayed to Devi Mata that in future this place may be called after his name as HINGAL TEERATH and so the place came to be known. Another History:
According to another story in the PURAN , once SATI the consort of LORD SHIVA and the daughter of King Daksha was annoyed with her father for not inviting LORD SHIVA in the ceremony of Yagna. She jumped to in Agni Havan Kunda and burnt herself. LORD SHIVA then became furious and came and took the dead body of SATI and started roaming in all the Dishas and there was danger created all over the world. Hence LORD VISHNU cut the body of SATI in 52 pieces with his Sudarshan Chakra in order to cool down LORD SHIVA's anger. The pieces of SATI'S body fell at differant places; the head fell at KUNRAJ mountain and was so called as HINGLAJ TEERATH of SHAKT DEVI MATA. 51 pieces at different places and were known as DEVI TEERATH ASTHANS also by differant names. There is no doubt that HINGLAJ TEERATH is very old and remained famous even during Mahabharat period when King Jaidrath of Sindh constructed Devi temples. When King Sikander of Yoonan, Europe when invaded India, he fought with King Balram at Bali Kot Fort and stayed at Hingol River. At that time, yatri devotees were performing HInglaj Yatr and they were safe. Samrat Vikramjeet, the king of India also visited Hinglaj as yatr after conquering all of India. Raja Todarmal of Mughal regime also visited this teerath. Other Rajput rajas like Bihari Mal, Raja Bhij Singh, Raja Madhoo Singh, Raja Jagat Singh of Jaipur, Ram Devji Pir of Rajasthan with his Army chief Agva Laloo Jakhraj also came to Hinglaj for yatra, Dada Mekhan the great saint of Gujarat also came to Hinglaj Teerath and he was called first KAPRI of Mata and after this all the Yatris are called KAPRIS. Kapris wear mala of Thumra in their neck.
Regards, Sanjesh Dhanja Coordinator SRSSM Team +92(0)3422775575
