Interfaith harmony in Sindh

The controversy created over the construction of a Hindu temple in Islamabad gives a glimpse of the appalling situation of minorities in our country. Many were irked not by the building of the temple itself but rather it was being built in Islamabad – the capital of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

There has been a debate whether the government of an Islamic state can grant funds to build a temple. All these are a ploy to suppress the rights of minorities. Would there be a similar hue and cry if the temple was not being built in Islamabad? Will we tolerate the construction of a similar temple in Sindh? Isn’t it hypocritical to denounce demolition of Babri Masjid but celebrate conversion of Hagia Sofia? There is no church in Saudi Arabia yet we want more mosques built in France and Germany.

For centuries, Sindh has remained the land of peace and interfaith harmony. It has been the land of Bhittai, Sachal Sarmast and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar who promoted love and compassion. It has also been the land of Bhagat Kanwar Ram who was known for his honesty and resolved issues of Muslims until he was assassinated during communal riots in Sukkur. Sindhi Hindus consider River Indus as the abode of Jhuleal, their most revered deity worshipped at a shrine in Uderolal.

The people of Sindh have always shunned religious extremism and terrorism until the influx of migrants changed the demography and social fabric of society. At one time, Sindh had a majority Hindu population but nearly a quarter left after the horrors of partition. Today, over 94 percent of the Hindus in the country live in Sindh including in Tharparkar bordering India.

In my hometown of Shikarpur, there are still more than 48,000 Hindus. I wondered why the Hindus continued to live here despite the ugly horrors of partition. I realized this was a learning point as it inculcated tolerance and respect. Hindus continue to live among us as friends, neighbours, traders and teachers. Hindus still visit our homes and religion was never a factor during these lifelong friendships.

The Hindus built many of the institutions in the city which still remain standing. The Civil Hospital was built by a rich Hindu trader named Rai Bahadur Udhadas Tarachand who migrated to India but left behind a legacy. People still visit the hospital and seek treatment and even many Muslims donated to build it. The city’s college was also built by Hindu family where many still receive an education. We cannot simply ignore the contribution of Hindus as they remain a part of our society.

My father told me about his maths teacher who was a Hindu and taught for 60 years. When he died thousands of his Muslim students – some of them in their mid-60s – attended his funeral. They remembered him as their teacher and not as a Hindu. I once visited a Hindu temple which taught me a valuable lesson in humanity; I was compelled to embark upon a  quest to visit places of worship of other religions.

These values of secular peace and interfaith harmony have been gradually eroding in Sindh. I never imagined a suicide bomber would attack a little known shrine of Lakhi Ghulam Shah in 2013, where the only victim was its caretaker. Terrorists have struck the shrine of Qalandar and notorious men like Mian Mithu have brought dishonour to Sindh by forced conversions.

The sad state of affairs forced many Hindus to shift to Islamabad where they could live life unnoticed until they asked their right to a temple which has been suppressed. We can either become a rogue state which denies minority their constitutional rights or become a progressive, modern republic that provides equal rights and liberties for all.