THERE is a stark contrast vis-à-vis the situation of minori
ties in Pakistan and India. While one South Asian country is taking practical steps to protect the rights of minorities, the other is seen openly victimizing and persecuting them.
Pakistan’s federal cabinet on Tuesday approved the constitution of a National Commission for Minorities, a body for advancing the practical realization of the rights and safeguards provided to non-Muslim communities under the Constitution. We are sure that the formation of the Commission will help ensure fuller and effective participation by the members of the minority communities in all aspects of national life. To achieve this, the Commission should be fully empowered and provided with sufficient resources so that it could perform its functions efficiently. Though it took a long time to constitute the Commission on the directions of the Supreme Court but the fact of the matter is that the minorities in Pakistan enjoy complete freedom and their contribution including those of Christians, Hindus or Sikhs, in different sectors are commendable. There might be some individual isolated incidents against them in some parts of the country but they are not backed by the State as has been seen in India where RSS inspired Hindutva ideology is being imposed to eliminate minorities especially Muslims. The whole world is a witness to violent and discriminatory acts taking place against the Indian Muslims who were most recently demonized and targeted over the spread of Coronavirus. In fact they are being persecuted under different pretexts. A sedition case has now been lodged against Chairman of Delhi Minority Commission Zafar Islam Khan for appreciating Kuwait for taking note of the persecution of Indian Muslims. While our government should continue its strides to protect and promote the rights of its minorities, we should continue unmasking the evil face of extremist Indian government before the world which should come forward for the protection of Indian Muslims.
