Saraikistan Province: PML-N Falling Into Zardari’s Trap, Pakistan

By Aziz Narejo (Indus Herald)
Monday, April 25, 2011

(Photo : Saraikistan demand at Larkana city, Pakistan)

Islamabad : In a glaring example of cynical, reactionary and unprincipled politics, Punjab CM Shahbaz Sharif the other day demanded that Sindh be divided and Karachi be made a province. His statement justifiably created furore in Sindh and the parliamentary parties including PPP, MQM and ANP as well as other politicians and activists swiftly condemned the unimaginative and unscrupulous statement by the PML-N leader.

The PML-N government and Punjabi nationalists seem to be under considerable pressure as the demand for a separate Siraiki province is gathering momentum in southern Punjab but this was most crooked and uncalled for response that could ever come from anyone with even the slightest political wisdom. PML-N leader was obviously trying to get back with the PPP. It may be noted that PM Gilani has suggested the creation of a new province in southern Punjab and PPP manifesto committee is deliberating to make it a part of the PPP manifesto for next elections.

No Sindhi would have any objections if Shahbaz Sharif, other PML-N leaders and Punjabis as a whole turn into nationalists but all the Punjabis and others should understand that Sindh and PPP are not ONE and the same. They are two separate entities. PML-N can’t and shouldn’t get back with the PPP by hurting Sindh. It must agree or disagree with the Siraiki people’s demand for a separate province with the force of arguments and not by playing tit for tat, conspiratorial and ugly politics.
PML-N should also realize that with this kind of politics they will be completely routed out from Sindh and their aspirations to become a “national” party or to form next government will die for ever.

Do they understand that this is exactly what PPP co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari wants the PML-N to do? Are they willingly falling into the trap set by Zardari’s PPP? Do they realize that with this kind of politics, they will forever become a Central Punjab party? Are there any sane elements in PML-N who would rein in Shahbaz Sharif and the likes of him in their party? Guess not. Good luck to them on their journey to doom.

 (Photo : Proposed Map for Saraikistan province in Pakistan)

Introduction : Saraik is a term used by some Seraikis to denote the southern region of the Punjab province of Pakistan, inhabited by Saraiki-speaking people. Many people contest the status of Saraiki as a separate language.. Though, it has overwhelming influence of Punjabi and Sindhi; Seraiki can be called a separate language of Indo-Aryan Family. When compared to its sister languages: Sindhi and Punjabi, Saraiki is far smaller and much behind in literature and in many other ways..Historically speaking, Saraiki, before Independence, never created a sense of separate Saraiki identity particularly in Southern Punjab..Customs and traditions practised by the people of Southern Punjab have largely been similar to those of Punjabis and Sindhis..However, national recognition of Saraiki as a separate language, giving it an official status, a Saraiki province, a Saraiki regiment in Army, establishment of Saraiki radio and television are among primary demands of Saraiki movement.

In 2002, the Saraiki nationalists claimed that there are over 30 million Saraiki speakers in Pakistan, mostly in southern Punjab, and also in the adjacent parts of Sindh and Balochistan provinces, mainly based in the former princely state of Bahawalpur (princely state).

Beginning in the 1960s, Saraiki nationalists have sought to gain language rights and lessen,what the nationalists propagated as, "Punjabi control over the natural resources of 'Saraiki' lands". This has led to a proposed separate province Saraikistan, a region being drawn up by activists in the 1970.The 1977 coup by General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq of Pakistan, a centralist ruler, caused the movement to go underground. After his death in 1988 allowed the Saraiki movement to re-emerge openly with the goals to have a Saraiki nationality recognised, to have official documents printed in Saraiki, a Saraiki regiment in the Pakistan Army, employment quotas and more Saraiki language radio and television.

Holi Festival in Multan By Pakistan Hindu Post and HRF, Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki (executive Editor)
Saturday, April 16, 2011

--------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramesh Jaipal
Date: Thu, Mar 24, 2011 at 6:16 AM
Subject: Holi Festival in Multan By Pakistan Hindu Post and HRF
To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Dear Director of Pakistan Hindu Post
          Hope you will be fine there Please see an attached file of Multan Holi Festival which was organized by SCRM Coordinator Ms Shokantala Devi

Regards
RJ

(Photo : 2011 Holi Celebration at Multan with background bannar of PHP and HRF, Pakistan)

 (Photo : 2011 Holi Festival in Multan By Pakistan Hindu Post and HRF, Pakistan)

Haroon Khalid participates in a Hindu celebration of the ancient spring festival in Multan, Pakistan

 (Photo : 2011 Holi celebration at Multan, Pakistan)

 (Photo : 2011 Holi celebration at Multan, Pakistan)

"Bolo Durga Mata ki,” and the crowd responded in a loud uniform shout of “Jai”. “Bolo Sheran wali ki,” “Jai”. I had been warned of getting my clothes spoiled on Holi, but nobody had told me that I would be made to take part in the traditional sport of matka breaking too. Because I was a first-timer, I got the (not so) easy job of forming the human base. Six of us stood with our hands on each other’s shoulders; we bent, our heads joined, and our right legs were brought into the center. I don’t know how many people climbed, but it felt like an entire army every time. The ones who were not participating threw water and color at us, some of it entering my lungs, some my eyes. The dhol played in the background. There were four matkas to be broken, and every one of them required many failed attempts. The pot was filled with color and water. Traditionally, butter and milk are used, as this is supposed to re-enact the young Lord Krishna’s stealing of butter.

At one point in the ritual, a young man standing next to me couldn’t take the pressure anymore and backed out, causing the entire pyramid to fall. I know of no other sport that requires greater team coordination.

Holi marks the advent of spring and is the most colorful festival of South Asia. The celebrations, which start the night before, are attended by young and old, men and women alike, and zealously. Near midnight, an effigy of Holka is burned to commemorate her death while she was trying to kill Prahlad Bhagat, an avatar of the Lord. According to folklore, many thousands of years ago Multan was ruled by a tyrant called Hiranyakashipu. As a result of his devotion he had been given special powers by Lord Vishnu, one of the gods of the Hindu trinity. In his arrogance Hiranyakashipu made the people of Multan worship him instead of Lord Vishnu. But his son Prahlad Bhagat remained a devotee of the Lord. Many attempts were made on his life, but he escaped them every time. Holka was the sister of Hiranyakashipu. She had a magical shawl which prevented her from being burned by fire. She offered to take Prahlad in her lap and enter fire. This way Prahlad would be burned, whereas Holka would remain protected by her shawl. Legend has it that when she entered the fire, a strong wind blew and the protective shawl covered Prahlad instead of Holka. Holi in Punjab begins with the symbolic burning of an effigy of Holka.

(Photo : Remains of a Hindu temple and Muslim shrine, in the citadel of Multan, Pakistan)

Multan, which once boasted a huge Hindu population, now only has 1200 Hindu voters. All of them belong to the Balmiki group, followers of Lord Balmik the Shudra. The Balmikis too are Shudras or “untouchables”. They are divided into various clusters within the city, the largest of which is near the railway station. Here there are about 10-12 Hindu houses. However, despite being registered as Hindus, it is not always possible to identify them within a society. The men no longer wear the vermillion on their persons, nor the women their mangal suttree or sari . Most of them have dual names, e.g. Barkat Ali and Tara Chand. Others openly practice Christian tenants, but revert to Hindu practices at the time of a festival or a grand pooja (prayer).

One such Hindu woman living in Multan is Shakuntala Devi. Her name is inspired by a character in the Mahabharata, one of the holiest Hindu books. Shakuntala Devi is a classically trained singer who has been regularly appearing on radio and television shows since the late 1980s. Things changed for her after the destruction of the Babri Mosque in 1992. In retaliation the Muslim zealots of Multan destroyed the ancient Prahlad Temple near the mausoleum of Bahauddin Zakariya. Shakuntala Devi says that after the destruction she heard that the mob was now coming towards her, as she was a famous face. “They wanted to burn me,” she says. She escaped with her sister and an old, blind mother. She also adopted a Muslim name after this, which according to her she hates using. She also complains of discrimination at radio and the television stations. This wasn’t the case in the late and early 1990s.

Despite all of these setbacks, the Hindu community in Multan celebrates the event of Holi every year. Waqas Falak, President of the Neengar society, a non-profit organization from Multan, working with the youth of religious and sexual minorities, says that Multan is the home of Holi, and the Hindus of Multan are determined to keep the tradition alive. This is the reason why, despite such a backlash from the religious right in recent years, including the murders of Governor Salmaan Taseer and Minorities Minister Shahbaz Bhatti, hundreds of Hindus gathered at the Christian colony near the WAPDA office for Holi. In Punjab, it doesn’t matter if one is a Hindu or a Christian, as long as one is an “Untouchable”. Falak feels that the growing conversion trend among Hindus in Pakistan is likely to give a major blow to the community in the coming years. Neengar society has filed a case in the Multan High Court to restore the Prahlad Temple and restart pooja here, since it is said to be the birthplace of Holi. On the 22nd of January 2010, they held a prayer outside the Multan Press Club to raise awareness for their cause, but Falak feels that they didn’t get the kind of response they were expecting. “The media portrayed a different message than the one intended by us,” says Falak. Every year for Holi, Falak invites his Muslim friends to participate with Christians and Hindus for Holi. Media representatives also are not spared from the heady mix of color and water.

This year Holi was celebrated on the 18th and 19th of March in Multan, whereas in the rest of the province it was celebrated on the 19th and 20th. It was a success: untoward incidents were avoided, not counting the severe bruises and a few minor fractures that were suffered after a fall from the human pyramid. Young men and women threw colors and water on each other all day. They danced to the dhol and traveled between different temples. Muslims from the neighborhood stared at them, while their children got scared. But the devotees and their friends continued to walk on the streets, reveling. However, given the sharp rise in fundamentalism in Pakistani society, and especially in Punjab, it is likely that festivals like these, which are deeply rooted in the cultural life of this area, will disappear, and the small freedom to celebrate these events that these people enjoy at the moment will be taken away.

Haroon Khalid is the Coordinator for the Minority Project of ‘The Citizens Archive of Pakistan’ (CAP)

Photos: Courtesy The Citizens Archive of Pakistan (CAP). Taken by Maryam Altaf and Samra Noori

Sikhs celebrating Baisakhi in Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki (Executive Editor)
Thursday, April 14, 2011

(Photo : A view of Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Punjab, Pakistan)

TAXILA: The Gurdwara Punja Sahib in Hassanabdal on Tuesday echoed with “Wahe guru Ji Ka Khalsa, Wahe guru Ji Ki Fateh” and “Jo bolay so nihal”, marking the beginning of Besakhi festival.

Over 1,400 Sikh yatrees from India and over a thousand from Fata and rural Sindh have reached Hassanabdal to celebrate the 312th three-day festival.

On early Tuesday morning Indian Sikh pilgrims led by Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member Gurwinder Singh Shampura arrived through two special trains from Lahore via Wagah border. It may be mentioned here that 341 devotees were denied permission to accompany the Jatha.

Much enthusiasm was observed at the Punja Sahib which was giving a festive look as women and children were wearing colorful dress and men with yellow and blue turbans.

Hundreds of the devotees, including men and women, were seen reciting the verses from the Guru Grunth, the holy book of the Sikh religion.

According to the Sikh religion, the Besakhi festival is celebrated only at the holy city of Hassanabdal, where lies the Gurdwara Punja Sahib. In 1921, it was decided by the Gurus (elders) of the Sikh religion to celebrate the event on the first day of Sunsikrat month of Besakh in memory of the day of the first Besakh in the year 1699 when the 10th Guru of the Sikh religion awarded Punj Kaaf slot and symbol to Guru Goband at the city of Anandpur Sahib (India).

The festival would be concluded on April 14 and the pilgrims will go to Nankana Sahib, the birthplace of Guru Nanak, and return to Dera Sahib, Lahore, on April 17. They will also visit Dera Rohri Sahib, Aimanabad, and Kartarpur in Narowal, before they return to India on April 20.

Moreover, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) with the help of Pakistan Sikh Gurdawara Prabandhak Committee had made arrangements of boarding and food for pilgrims.

Meanwhile, leader of Indian Sikh pilgrims and Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) member Gurwinder Singh Shampur talking to newsmen said Sikhs living both sides of the border wanted peace and better relations between India and Pakistan.He said that the Sikh yatrees consider Pakistan as their second home because some of the holiest places of the Sikh religion situated here. He said that the Indian Sikh community considered Pakistan as their holy land and its people as their brethren.

The Sikh pilgrims’ leader said that Pakistani government always accorded warm welcome to them. He said that the both Punjabs culture, taboos, language, dresses and living style were same and they were living in the same environment for decades that was the reason that they considered both Punjabs as brothers.

He said that said Pakistan was very important for Sikhs because Guru Nanak Dev was born and died here.

Sample Copy of PHP/HRF 2011 Free Calender Distribution to Pakistani Hindus

By Krishna Jaipal (PHP Punjab)
Saturday, February 12, 2011


---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramesh Jaipal
Date: Sat, Feb 5, 2011 at 8:24 AM
Subject: Request of Calender of 2011
To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Namesty

Dear Gopinath ji

          Hope you will be fine there, Please see an attach photo of Hindu Religious Calender of 2011 by PHP/HRF. Hare Rama Foundation Pakistan (HRFPK) is very thank full to Pakistan Hindu post (PHP) for Printing the Calender 2,000 Copies. We have distributed the free calender in Punjab and Sindh to Hindus community of Pakistan.

If you have any question let me know and i will be sending pictures of distribution soon.

With Regards
Ramesh Jaipal
(PHP, Director)

(Photo : Sample copy of Pakistan Hindu Post and HRF 2011 Free Calender for Pakistan)

The PHP Team

Invitation for 2011 Katas Yatra, By PHP and HRF in Pakistan

By Rajesh Pandit (PHP Islamabad)
Saturday, February 12, 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ramesh Jaipal
Date: Wed, Feb 9, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Subject: Fw: with Picture of Invitation Katas Yatra by :HRF-PHP-HAF
To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Namasty

Dear Gopinathji,

               Hope you will be fine there, We are planning to organise the 2011 Katas Yatra under the banner of Hare Rama Foundation (HRF), Guru Gorkh Nath Sewa Mandal (GGNSM) and Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP) during Shivaratri celebration for Hindus in Pakistan.

(Photo : View from top of the Shiv temple of Katas Raj in Punjab, Pakistan)

Introduction : Katasraj Mandir (Punjabi: کٹاس راج مندر (Shahmukhi), कटासराज मन्दिर (Devanagari)) is a Hindu mandir situated in Katas village in the Chakwal district of Punjab in Pakistan. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple has existed since the days of Mahābhārata and the Pandava brothers spent a substantial part of their exile at the site. The Pakistan Government is considering nominating the temple complex for World Heritage Site status. It also proposes to spend about Rs 20 million in three phases for the restoration of the complex.

Please see an attach file about Katas Yatra Invitation.

With Regards
Ramesh Jaipal
(PHP, Program Director of Pakistan)

(Photo : Open Invitation for Katas Yatra By PHP and HRF for Shivratri pooja in Pakistan)

Introduction : Maha Shivratri or Maha Sivaratri or Shivaratri or Sivarathri (Great Night of Shiva or Night of Shiva) is a festival celebrated every year on the 13th night/14th day in the Krishna Paksha (waning moon) of the month of Maagha (as per Shalivahana or Gujarati Vikrama) or Phalguna (as per Vikrama) in the Hindu Calendar (that is, the night before and day of the new moon). The festival is principally celebrated by offerings of Bael (Bilva) leaves to the Lord Shiva, all day fasting and an all night long vigil. Cannabis is traditionally used as an offering for Lord Shiva and his followers. Per scriptural and discipleship traditions, the penances are performed in order to gain boons in the practice of Yoga and meditation, in order to reach the goal more swiftly and avoid rebirth.


NOTE : We are looking for voluntary youths and financial helps, So if any one has any enquiry or wants to contribute for the proposed event is welcome to contact as at namastepakistan@gmail.com


 The PHP Team

Pictures of 2011 PHP & SRSSM Free Calender Distribution at Pakistan Hindu Council Board Meeting, Pakistan

By Mohammad S.Solanki (Executive Editor)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Kumar (Karachi City)
Date: Sun, Jan 23, 2011 at 8:46 AM
Subject: Beach Luxury Hotel
To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Namaste

Dear Gopinathji

     Please find attach pictures of Pakistan Hindu Council Meeting at "Beach Luxury Hotel on 23rd Sunday in Karachi City of Sindh State in Pakistan.

Best Regards,
PHP Karachi Staff

Introduction - Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) is a Representative Body of Hindus residing  in Pakistan. The far basic aim of the council is to develop unity among the scared community scattered in the nook and corner of  the country and establish relations between all the factions of the community specifically the low income group of the society habited in the urban and rural areas of all the four Provinces, mainly in Sindh.

Patron:
Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani
 
President:
Raja Assermal Manglani 

General Secretary:
Dr. Mohan Lal Harchandani

(Photo : Patron, Dr.Ramesh Kumar Venkawani (PHC) speaking at Pakistan Hindu Council Meeting at "Beach Luxury Hotel on 23/1/2011)

 

 (Photo : President, Raja Assermal Manglani (PHC) speaking at Pakistan Hindu Council Meeting at "Beach Luxury Hotel on 23/1/2011)

 (Photo : Pakistan Hindu Council Board Meeting at Beach Luxury Hotel on 23rd Sunday)

(Photo : Pakistan Hindu Council Board Members viewing PHP & SRDSM Free Calender  Distribution at Meeting at Beach Luxury Hotel on 23rd Sunday)

(Photo : Pakistan Hindu Council  Meeting at "Beach Luxury Hotel on 23/1/2011)

(Photo :Senior Community members of Pakistan Hindu Council Meeting at Beach Luxury Hotel on 23rd Sunday)

(Photo : Mangla Sharma senior Hindu leader and Board  Meeting at "Beach Luxury Hotel on 23/1/2011)

Pakistan : Taliban continues onslaught against minorities

By Alexander Aftab Mughal
Monday, January 10, 2011

(Photo : Alexander Aftab Mughal in Pakistan)

Islamabad : For more than three decades, Shia Muslims, along with Christians, Hindus and Ahmadis, in Pakistan have suffered under constant attacks by Islamic militant organisations.

In a latest terrorist incident on Dec. 27, 2010 terrorists attacked outside Jama Masjid Kolacki in D. I. Khan. Extremists used grenade and fire arms during the violence. One Shia Muslim sustained serious injuries and admitted in a hospital in Multan, a main city of Southern Punjab. He is still in a critical condition. For many years, Shia community has been the main target of Sunni militant organisations in city. On Feb. 20, 2009, in a suicide attack on a Shia funeral procession 32 people were killed and more than 150 people became injured.

On Dec. 16, a mortar attack killed nine (9) people, including women and children in Hangu, a town that has been a flashpoint for sectarian clashes between Pakistan's Shia and Sunni Muslim communities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Province. On the same day in another attack one child was killed and 28 people were wounded in Peshawar, the capital of KP province, as Shia Muslims marked Ashura, a day of mourning for the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad.

Sixty-five (65) Shia Muslims were killed and more than 150 injured in a suicide blast in Quetta city, the capital of Baluchistan province, on Sept. 3, during an Al-Quds Day rally. Taliban claim the responsibility.

In Lahore, the capital of Punjab province, a suicide bomber struck Shia worshippers on Sept. 2 as they were dispersing after a procession, in which 31 people were killed and more than 200 injured. On the same say, in Karachi, the capital of Sindh, assailants opened fires on a Shia procession in which seven people were injured.

More than 2,000 Shia Muslims have been killed in Pakistan's Kurram Agency since the beginning of a violent campaign against Shias by pro-Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants in 2007, Press TV reported on Dec. 29.

The number of deaths from sectarian attacks has already reached 302 for 2010, compared to 190 for the whole of last year.

According to a media report, a total of 356 innocent Pakistanis have so far been killed and 612 others injured in 12 bloody incidents of terrorism in the first 350 days of 2010, as extremist sectarian and jihadi elements continue to target different places of worship across Pakistan, including mosques, madrassas, imambargahs (where Shia Muslims gather for their religious ceremonies), shrines and Ahmadi places of worship.

In addition, the Interior Ministry of Pakistan’s figure shows that 30 people were killed on average per month in 12 gory attacks between Jan. 1 and Dec. 15, 2010, most of which were carried out by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). “Most of the attacks were sectarian in nature, and carried out by Sunni-Deobandi groups such as Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Jamaatul Furqaan, Harkatul Jehadul Islami (HUJI), and Lashkar-e-Islami, though their motivation varies. Most of the victims were Shias, Barelvis and Ahmadis,” Amir Mir, a senior Pakistani journalist writes.

Taliban and other hard-line militant groups consider Shias as non-Muslims. But it is interesting to note that the founder of Islamic state of Pakistan Muhammad Ali Jinnah was a Twelver Shia. “When he (Jinnah) died in 1948, it was necessary for his sister, Fatima Jinnah, to declare him a Shia in order to inherit his property as per Jinnah’s will. She filed an affidavit, jointly signed by Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, at the Sindh High Court, describing Jinnah as ‘Shia Khoja Mohamedan’ and praying that his will may be disposed of under Shia inheritance law. The court accepted the petition,” a senior Pakistani journalist Khaled Ahmed writes for The Friday Times on Dec. 24-30, 2010.

Although all major militant organisations are banned in Pakistan, the federal and provincial government seem unwilling to control their violent activities. Weekly Time magazine reported that the attack on Data Darbar, situated in Lahore, is one of the oldest Muslim shrines in the sub-continent, a drew outrage across the country and forced the Punjab government headed by Shahbaz Sharif, the younger brother of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, to carry out a crackdown on sectarian groups. But the arrests were merely a roundup of known low-level members and were decried as insufficient by analysts and opposition politicians alike. "The Punjab government has a very specific history of greater tolerance towards Sunni extremists," says Ali Dayan Hasan of Human Rights Watch.

Shias are not only facing attacks by the militant groups but also confronting numerous other pressures which make them more vulnerable and insecure. According to a Shia leader Maulana Hassan Zafar Naqvi, 10 missing Shias were abducted from different areas of the Karachi city within last 10 days by the law enforcement agencies.

It is time that Pakistan’s politicians realized that the ultimate aim of such extremist outfits, many of whom are hand in glove with the TTP, is to ignite sectarian conflict in the country, Pakistan daily Dawn observed.


Aftab Alexander Mughal is the editor of Minorities Concern of Pakistan and Spero's Asia correspondent.

Punjab : 400 Pakistani Hindus await Indian citizenship

Friday, January 07, 2011

AMRITSAR : With the Centre agreeing before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, a couple of months ago, to grant citizenship to 120 Pakistani Hindus staying near Jalandhar for years, around 400 more such people placed in a similar situation here have intensified their demand for citizenship.

According to president of a local NGO, All India Hindu Shiv Sena, Surinder Kumar Billa, there were around 450 to 500 Pakistani Hindus settled in Amritsar who have been awaiting citizenship. He said most of them had fled from Pakistan fearing extortion and kidnapping by Taliban and Muslim fundamentalists.
Talking to TOI on Monday, Billa said his NGO had begun collecting papers of all Pak Hindus and would move court besides approaching human rights organization demanding citizenship for them so they could settle in peace at least.

Roop Chand, in late sixties, said he had left Peshawar in 1995, under the cover of darkness along with his wife, two sons and two daughters for India fearing kidnapping and extortion and his prime worry was to reach Amritsar safely. With fingers crossed he said, the family reached Lahore and boarded Samjhauta Express.

Chand said he had social freedom here. His daughters attend school without the fear of diktats of Muslim fundamentals and his sons don't have to get humiliated by sarcastic remarks by Muslim friends, but the family was still waiting to get Indian citizenship for a lifetime assurance.

Almost all Pak Hindus have similar stories to narrate. They have been staying here for past more than 18 years. A few came to settle down with their family members who had migrated earlier, a few came to earn good money and many out of fear. Earlier, hesitant to speak against the Taliban or militants fearing for the safety of around 40 remaining Hindu families in Peshawar, they finally broke silence to narrate their horrifying tale.

''There had been incidents of extortion and kidnapping with some Hindus of the area and I had two daughters, who could become their target, so I decided to leave Pakistan for good,'' said Roop Chand who was a sewadar at Dargah Sri Peer Rattan Nath Ji at Peshawar. But here he runs a small tea kiosk.

Another Pak Hindu, Shiv Kumar, said they were forced to embrace Islam so he decided to leave Pakistan. ''We can live in poverty, but can't go back to live in an environment of uncertainty,'' said another Pak Hindu, Bachan Devi.

''We will take up their cases with both human rights organizations and to the government so they could have a peaceful life in India,'' Billa said.

President Asif Ali Zardari confers award on Hindu leader, Pakistan

Friday, January 07, 2011

(Photo : Hindu leader Mr.Bhayya Ram Ajnum in middle with his right Rameshji and left his wife in Islamabad, Pakistan)

ISLAMABAD – President Asif Ali Zardari has conferred Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Human Rights Award, for the year 2010, to Bhayya Ram Anjum, a Scheduled Caste Hindu Community leader of Southern Punjab.

Federal Ministry of Human Rights had nominated him for this award on behalf of Minister for Human Rights, Syed Mumtaz Alam Gillani. Bhayya Ram got the award during a ceremony held in the Presidency on the eve of Human Rights Day, some days ago.

Anjum thanked President Ali Zardari and Mumtaz Alam Gillani for selecting him for the award of human rights. He said that problems of Scheduled Caste Hindus were increasing day by day due to lack of their representation in the Parliament despite the fact that they were the largest community with reference to population among the minorities living in Pakistan.

“I wrote several letters to the President as well as Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani to highlight the problems of Scheduled Caste Hindus living in Rahim Yar Khan, specially and of other parts of Pakistan,'' he said.

in generally but they gave me a cold shoulder,” he added. He appealed the President and the Prime Minister to give special attention to the miseries of Hindu minority of Rahim Yar Khan.

Peace Conference at Sialkot, Pakistan

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Rameshji
Date: Sat, Dec 4, 2010 at 8:28 AM
Subject: Peace Conference at Sialkot
To: Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

Dear Arvindji

                       Hope you will be fine there , in these days From 1st December to 5 December am here in Sialkot and Narowal District of Punjab. Here i have watch some temple which is neglected by Govt.and some of under the grabbers(Land Grabber) I working on temples and next month we will stand for our religious Rights.

          Please see an attach file of Peace Conference at Sailkot and I representative From Pakistani Hindus and Speech on interfaith and Peace, I request you that please send some links and address of international organization witch was working on INTERFAITH HARMONY AND PEACE.

        last Friday we are organized 2nd Prayer Class I will sent you picture as soon as possible.

With High Regards

Ramesh

Cordinator of HAF &PHP-Pakistan

Fire burns 20 tents of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims, Pakistan

By Krishna Jaipal (PHP Lahore)
Sunday, November 28, 2010

(Photo : Nankana Sahib in Punjab, Pakistan)

NANKANA SAHIB : About 20 tents of Sikh and Hindu yatrees caught fire and were burned to ashes at Gurdwara Janam Asthan on Saturday.

According to DPO Shahzad Waheed, about 200 Pakistani Hindu yatrees, along with their families were living in the tents, which were immediately evacuated after the fire. Rescue 1122 teams rushed to the scene and controlled the fire after hectic efforts. However, no loss of life was reported in the incident. The cause of fire was stated to be a stove. app

Daily Inspiration from Pakistan Hindu Post (PHP)

By Gopinath Kumar (Executive Editor)
Thursday, November 11, 2010

Not to do what you feel like doing is freedom.    

--Swami Chinmayananda--

10-Sep-2010 Satsang at Rahim Yar Khan organized by HRF-PHP-HAF

By Krishna Jaipal (PHP Lahore)
Friday, September 10, 2010

Dear Gopinathji,

           Hope you will be doing fine, today 10th September 2010, We are conduct a Satsang at sub district of Rahim Yar Khan (Khanpur) there are try to many people are join this satsang but we are able to 160 peoples participation. There we are distribute 50 CDs and 200 Prayers Paper and 100 Krishna Picture and 30 Books of Hinduism. Today We are start  a new campaign in Rahim Yar Khan that Change the name from Muslim and Christian name like Bashir, Jamil, jamis,Nasir,Akber,Shahbeer to convert into Hindu name from Bashir  to Basar lal, Jamil to Jamal ji,Nasir to Nersing Ram, Shahbeer to Shobraj and some other names.

          Tomorrow  on 11th Evening  we are going with Print Material,Books and Cds to Baba Sada Ram Religious festival there number of participation is more than 500 people. and we will be distribute the material , books and Cds under the banner of Pakistan Hindu Post and Hindu American Foundation.

          Many Of Hindu Man and Women also are well wishing, and prayer for us for this very good work of knowledge about or Religion Snatan Dharam, and many many Thanks to us(PHP,HAF,HRF). Hare Rama Foundation Pakistan are very Thankful to you. please see an attach files about satsang.

With Regards,
Ramesh Jaipal

Pakistan : Sindh visit pictures, For Scheduled Caste Rights Movement (Part 2)

By Editorial Staff
Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Dear Gopinathji,

 

              Hope you will be fine there ,Please see an attach file for Scheduled Caste (Hindus)  Rights Movement in Sindh, Pakistan.

 

 

With Regards,

Ramesh Jaipal 

(Pakistan)

PAKISTAN : Financial assistance of scheduled caste hindus respected

By Krishna Jaipal (PHP Lahore)
Tuesday, Augest 31, 2010

To
All Hinud Friends and Members



 subjec. Financial assistance of scheduled caste hindus respected

        It is stated that Hare Rama Foundation is the representative organisation of more than 4 million  scheduled caste hindus of Pakistan. The condition of flood is so much serious in Pakistan especially south Punjab and Sindh.many people have been affected alongwith Hindus.The Hindu population minority is much in these areas.missionary departments are not working in these areas. They are in the state of helplessness. According to a survey of Hare Rama Foundation five thousand homes have been affected and they are under open sky . It is requested to you that help these people with things of common usage at organisational level or at individual level so that affected people get help in this difficult situation. For further information do contact with us .IT will be pleasure for us

For any more detail Please Feel Free Contact with Us.

and Please forward  to your friends and  other organization.

With Regards

Ramesh Jaipal  (Director)

Hare Rama Foundation Pakistan

Rahim Yar Khan Punjab Pakistan

+92-300-967 55 88

www.hrfpk.org

Rapes of Christian Girls in Pakistan Reflect Hidden Trend

By Gopinath Kumar (Excutive Editor )
Tuesday, Augest 31, 2010

ISLAMABAD : The vulnerability of Christian girls to sexual assault in Pakistani society emerged again last month as a Muslim landowner allegedly targeted a 16-year-old and a gang of madrassa (Islamic school) students allegedly abused a 12-year-old in Punjab Province.

In Farooqabad, Shiekhupura district, three Muslim co-workers of a Christian man allegedly raped his 16-year-old daughter at gunpoint the night of July 21; the following evening in Gujar Khan, Rawalpindi district, more than a half dozen madrassa students decided to “teach these Christians a lesson” by allegedly gang-raping the 12-year-old girl.

The students at Jamia Islamia Madrassa had been harassing Christians in the villages around Gujar Khan, said the pastor of the church to which the girl’s family belongs, United Pentecostal Church.

“They openly announce that ‘the Christians are our enemies, we should not talk to them, eat with them or do business with them,’” Pastor Shakeel Javed told Compass.

The students often beat Christian children who come to play on the school grounds, telling them to convert or leave, he said, adding that on Sundays they throw stones at the church building.

A school teacher who said she was witness to the alleged rape told Compass that when she came across the madrassa students the evening of July 22, she overheard one saying, “We will teach these Christians a lesson they will never forget.”

“Three or four Christian girls were washing dishes near a pond,” Rana Aftab said. “These guys ran towards them, and the girls started running. One of them fell on the ground, and these madrassa students got hold of her and took her in the fields. I tried to stop them, but they were 15-16 in number.”

Seven or eight of them raped the girl, whose name is withheld, while the others looked on, Aftab said.

“She kept yelling for help, but no one heard her cries,” Aftab said.

They left the girl in the field, and some villages took her home to her father, Pervaiz Masih, Aftab said.

Masih was devastated, and the girl’s mother fainted when she saw her, Masih told Compass.

Masih and Aftab went to the police station to register a complaint, but the officer in charge refused to register it, Aftab said.

When Compass contacted officers at the police station, they initially refused to comment, but eventually one admitted that they are under pressure from Muslims leaders and extremists to refrain from filing a First Information Report (FIR) on the alleged crime.

Kidnapped

In eastern Punjab Province’s Farooqabad, the Christian father of the allegedly raped 16-year-old girl said he was later kidnapped and tortured.

In his complaint to police, Ghafoor Masih of Kot Sandha village said he was working the fields when three men who work for his Muslim employer overpowered his daughter at home and dragged her into one of the rooms of the house at gunpoint.

His daughter, whose name is withheld, told police that the three men raped her while keeping her from screaming for help by threatening to shoot her in the forehead with a pistol. The family accused Rashid Ali, another Muslim identified only as Maan son of Muhammad Boota and an unidentified man who also worked for Masih’s employer, Hajji Rashid Jutt.

The next morning, July 22, Masih went to the Saddr police station in Farooqabad, but Station House Officer Inspector Nasseer Ahmad Khan refused to register a First Information Report (FIR), labor leaders said. Aslam Pervaiz Sahotra, chairman of the Bonded Labor Front, and Zia-ud-Din Khokhar, chairman of Equality for Minorities, later approached the Shiekhupura district police officer with Masih’s complaint, and on July 28 the official sent an application for a FIR to Saddr Police Station.

Under pressure from the superior officer, on July 29 Inspector Khan registered the FIR under for “gang-rape at gunpoint,” family members and clergy said.

As Masih made his way home after the filing of the FIR on July 29, however, two other Muslims who work for his employer, Jutt, allegedly intercepted and kidnapped him, the family members said, and took him to Jutt’s farmhouse. There Jutt, the two men – Muhammad Irfan and Muhammad Usman – and another worker for Jutt, Fazal Karim, allegedly shackled and tortured Masih, leaving him in critical condition.

Inspector Khan told Compass that he has arrested Jutt, Irfan and Usman for kidnapping, as well as the suspect identified only as Maan for the alleged rape of Masih’s daughter.

Joseph Francis, national director of the Center for Legal Aid Assistance and Settlement, condemned the alleged rape of the 16-year-old girl.

“Muslim landowners and their relatives see Christian girls or women as their chattel,” Francis said. “Such vicious incidents are not being stopped by the government, and day by day the rate of rapes of Christian girls is escalating instead of plunging.”

Sahotra and Khokhar added that many such cases go unreported as impoverished Christian families often do not have the resources to pursue justice.

More Hindu Cremation Grounds Needed in Pakistan

Source: www.dnaindia.com
Wednesday, 25 Augest, 2010

(Photo : A Hindu woman arranges earthern lamps near to Hindu Goddesses to celebrate 'Diwali' the festival of lights, at her home in Lahore, Pakistan on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009. Hindus living in Pakistan are celebrating Diwali where people decorate their homes with light)

PAKISTAN : The body of a woman, who died in Lahore in June 2006, had to be kept in a mortuary for five days due to the absence of a cremation ground for Hindus in Pakistan. She was laid to rest in the Miani Sahib’s graveyard for the Muslims as a last resort. The case generated a protest in Pakistan over the lack of cremation grounds, which would allow Hindus to conduct the last rites of their loved ones as per religion.

The Pakistani government has now approved a plan to set up a cremation ground for the Hindus near the Babu Sabu Chowk, close to the Ravi river. The land has been divided into two — for Sikhs and Hindus.

Dr. Ram Chand said the availability of a cremation ground for Hindus was essential. “Though they are a minority community here, cremation rituals are part of their religious beliefs. Our leader Mohammad Ali Jinnah had assured every person who chose to live in Pakistan that they shall be free to practice their religion,” he said.

Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims Across Rural Punjab Restore Mosques, India

Source: www.outlookindia.com
Saturday, July 24, 2010

(Photo : Safe Custody Joga Singh with a maulvi outside the mosque in Sarwarpur that his brother Sajjan helped reconstruct in Punjab,India )

PUNJAB, INDIA : Around 200 mosques across the Punjab have been repaired, rebuilt or built from scratch with the help of Sikhs and Hindus in the last 10 years. Many destroyed during Partition riots are now being restored by village communities.

The Ghuman family of Sarwarpur, near Ludhiana, cannot understand what the fuss is about. Ever since Sajjan Singh Ghuman, an NRI Sikh living in England, rebuilt a mosque in his native village, the shrine, as well as his family back home, have attracted the curiosity of outsiders. “We never imagined we would be on a Punjabi TV channel just because my elder brother rebuilt this small mosque for the poor Muslim families of our village. For him, it was just a gesture towards restoring the collective heritage of our village,” says Sajjan’s brother, Joga Singh.

Much of the present effort to revive mosques is coming from a young generation. Kesar, a Jat Sikh farmer from Ratia, and Kamal, a Hindu whose family migrated from Sialkot in Pakistan, have slogged shoulder to shoulder for days to rebuild Dhuri’s lone mosque. Many people from the Hindu community helped dig the foundations. Hindus and Sikhs from nearby villages, too, contributed with hefty donations.

World Hindu Council ready to provide Temple priests to Pakistan

By Editorial Staff
Tuesday, June 29, 2010

(Photo : Remains of a Hindu temple and Muslim shrine, in the citadel of Multan, Punjab State in Pakistan)

Lack of priests holds off rites in Multan temples

Pakistan : Rituals in many Hindu temples in Pakistan, including famous Prahlad temple and Sun temple in Multan, have been suspended.

Visiting Pakistan’s Minister for Religious Affairs Syed Hamid Saeed Kazmi has said since all the important Hindu temples were facing an acute shortage of priests, the Government had no option but to suspend religious functions in Multan temples.

Kazmi was in UP to visit his ancestral village in Amroha, around 300 km south-west of Lucknow. His father Syed Ahmad Saeed Kazmi belonged to Amroha. The family migrated to Multan in 1935.

The international wing of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, which provides Hindu priests to the overseas temples, said it can supply priests if the Pakistan Government was ready to give visas and security to them.

Apart from Prahlad and Sun temples, some shrines in the Sindhu valley are also hit by the priest crunch. Prahlad temple is an important religious place for Hindus because it is believed that the festival of Holi started here.

“The Pakistan Govern-ment tried to restore religious rituals in these temples because the local Hindu population is missing their religious traditions,” he said, but added that Hindu population has declined in the region. He, however, refused to give reasons for this decline.

The United Nations had offered to adopt Sun temple and Sindhu valley temples as World Heritage sites but the Pakistan Government had rejected the proposal, Kazmi said.

In-charge of international affairs of VHP Swami Vigyananand told The Pioneer: “Everyone knows the state of Hindus in Pakistan. The VHP needs assurance from the Pakistan Government before it sends priests to the neighbouring country.”

The Swami said that VHP sends purohits overseas only on requests either from the Government or from the community. “The VHP is concerned about the plight of Hindus in Pakistan and would want to do everything for them,” he said.

It is not the first time that voice has been raised to protect Hindu identity in Pakistan. Earlier this year, Baluchistan’s provincial Assembly, having two Hindu law makers, passed a resolution against construction of a dam that would have inundated Hinglas Mata temple. The VHP had also voiced anguish over the construction of the dam and had given a memorandum to Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi. The Federal Government of Pakistan had later shelved the proposal to construct the dam.

India : BJP to Take Up Cause of Pakistan Hindus Fleeing to Punjab

By Editorial Staff
Thuesday, June 29, 2010

 (PHOTO : BJP Punjab unit members in Amritsar)

Chandigarh,  – The Bharatiya Janata Party’s Punjab unit Friday announced that it would take up the cause of Hindu families from Pakistan who have been forced to settle in the state after being driven out of their country.

The state unit has set up a three-member committee under Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna to look into all aspects of the issue, including relief to such families who have taken shelter in Punjab.

Most of these families are living in Amritsar and nearby areas and fear for their lives if they are forced to return to Pakistan.

Khanna said that most of the families driven out of Pakistan have settled in three places – Rajpura, Amritsar and Jalandhar.

The committee will hold a meeting in Chandigarh June 29 to get inputs from BJP legislators and other leaders about the exact number of families from Pakistan living in Punjab and suggest future course of action for them.

The committee will also visit the three cities and meet with the distressed families.

Khanna said that the Hindus and Sikhs were hounded out of Pakistan for fear of their lives.

‘The options before them are to either convert to Islam or run for their lives, leaving their property and businesses behind,’ he said.

Khanna added that the Punjab and central governments will be approached to get relief for the families.