Qamar Rafiq
WE found love but not crematorium holds a silent outcry of Hindu and Sikh minority groups who are living in Pakistan before its independence in 1947. The Hindu constitutes as one of the biggest minority groups in Pakistan who are predominantly concentrated in Sindh. Similarly, Sikhism in Pakistan has also an extensive heritage and history, but they are comparatively small in size. Most Sikhs live in the province of Punjab, with some also residing in the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. With a saga of rich culture and traditions, both minority groups speak a variety of languages to add exquisiteness in the cultural imagery of Pakistan. Certainly, Sikhs and Hindus are very peaceful citizens of Pakistan and their contribution to nation building is remarkable. It is the highest duty of the State to ensure the fundamental rights of the minority groups and they must be served in the true spirit of reverence. Since the world is enveloped in the global health emergency, we have unleashed some intimate realities to contemplate and learn the truth before it’s late. The Government of Pakistan stands accused at many fronts for not providing adequate relief and support to minorities that were worst affected by the pandemic crisis. Perhaps, the racial inequality, discrimination and intolerance have climbed unprecedentedly. As a result we were learning the pattern of violence and intolerance toward minorities in Pakistan when the rest of the world was engaged in developing therapies and vaccines, to address the rapidly evolving utmost humanitarian crisis of Covid-19.
Some countries took extraordinary steps to refute pandemic outbreak can’t be an excuse to racial inequality, access to healthcare or workplace discrimination of minority’s community. Most notably, 10 Downing Street in April announced an inquiry into the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black, Asian and minority ethnic communities (BAME) across Britain. Later British Prime Minister faced huge pressure to hold a public inquiry after an official report confirmed that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic groups are dying disproportionately from Covid-19. At glance, Elizabeth II Queen of the United Kingdom and 15 other Commonwealth monarchies appointed British-Pakistani businessman Aamer Sarfraz from Gujarat as youngest member of the House of Lords which sent an extraordinary message to uphold the ethnic minorities in Britain are treated equally regardless of their religion or colour and are part of inclusiveness and shared culture. In the midst of pandemic urgency, we also embraced the tragic news of an accident which killed 22 members of Sikh community after a train hit a van carrying Sikh pilgrims in North-eastern Pakistan. All bodies were transferred by C130 aircraft to their native city Peshawar. The heart-breaking incident saddened the entire nation, condolence and sympathy messages were pouring enormously, and a hefty issue detonated for families, to cremate 22 bodies and perform last rites. There are more than 200 Sikh families in Peshawar; forlornly there is not a single crematorium. The compelling situations deepen the pain of the bereaved families who were left with one option to take these bodies 98 KM away in Attock district for cremation.
Egregiously, having no crematorium in Peshawar has raised myriad questions on the treatment of Sikh and Hindu communities in Pakistan. Sikh community has been snubbed for years to secure a place for crematorium in order to perform last rites of their deceased in Peshawar. Likewise, Islamabad’s Hindu community, with about 3,000 members, has no space for religious ceremonies, marriages or even last rites and cremation of their dead. The recently under-construction boundary wall of the Krishna temple, in Islamabad, was destroyed by a group of men who also chanted slogans against minority groups which have become hot potatoes in one of the most pressing issues of our society. This is why lockdown has been so heart-breaking. For years, thousands of Hindus in Islamabad had been pushing for a proper place to worship and to cremate their dead, rather than having to travel sometimes hundreds of miles to perform last rites. Having no crematorium in Peshawar and Islamabad have unmasked the grave illustration of social inequality and neglect which is often clouded by our fatigued behaviour.
Regrettably, Pakistani Government has failed acutely to provide any ample attention or compassion to address this foremost issue. Failure to grant a minority group a place for crematorium or religious services is a defilement of Fundamental Rights. In 1949, the Geneva Convention protected the dignity of dead bodies against ill treatment and even went as far as to require proper group burial rituals and land for the bodies found on the battlefield. International community and human rights organisations have set their eyes on Pakistan with an anticipation of the earnest effort to improve the situation of indispensable freedom of religion or belief. I am certain that after the dust of centuries has passed, we will be remembered not for victories or defeats in battles or politics but our contribution to human spirit. Our crucial challenge in the 21st Century will be how to transplant tolerance, diversity and inclusiveness in the fabric of democracy. I look forward to Pakistan which will offer both love and crematorium to its minorities with grace and love in order to disprove Stephen King’s saying, “Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too, they live inside us and sometimes they win”.
—The writer has specialisation in Health Informatics from Johns Hopkins University, based in the UK.
