First Hindu member in 16 years in Pakistan's Punjab assembly

[AnnoyingOrange]

For the first time in 16 years, a Hindu has entered Pakistan's Punjab Assembly as a lawmaker, less than a fortnight after the first ever Sikh became a member of the House since the country's creation in 1947.

Kanji Ram is only the second Hindu to be part of the provincial assembly
after Seth Bharta Ram, who was elected a lawmaker in 1997.
Ram and Sikh representative Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora were both nominated by the PML-N to seats in the Punjab Assembly reserved for non-Muslims.

Ram hails from Sadiqabad in Rahim Yar Khan district, located 450 kms from Lahore, while Arora belongs to Narowal, a border district located 80 kms from here.

Arora took oath during the first session of the assembly on June 1 while Ram will take oath on June 17 when the House meets for the second time for the budget session.

A sizeable number of Hindus live in Rahim Yar Khan and Ram believes his elevation as a legislator will help in addressing the problems faced by his community.

He called for easing the visa regime with neighbouring India.

Pakistan's Hindus favour good relations with all neighbouring countries, especially India as it is an important country in the region, he said.

Ram said he was also in favour of easy travel between the two countries, especially for trade and religious rituals.

Ram also expressed concern about forced marriages and conversion of members of the minority Hindu community, especially women, to Islam.

"Hindus also face problems in registering their marriages as there is no law to document our marriages, which creates several problems," he said.

He said he believed the Punjab Assembly would be the best forum to raise such issues.

Both Arora and Ram are very excited at becoming legislators.

"It's a great honour for me and my community," Ram said.

The Punjab Assembly has eight reserved seats for non-Muslims that are distributed among political parties according to their performance in elections.

Due to the huge mandate secured by the PML-N in Punjab in last month's landmark general elections, it was allocated seven of the eight reserved seats.

First Hindu member in 16 years in Pakistan's Punjab assembly - Hindustan Times

 

[Spring Onion]

They have good population in Punjab and Sindh. They need to assert their powers through vote.

 

[Srinivas]

They have good population in Punjab and Sindh. They need to assert their powers through vote.

As far as I know Peshawar is the better in religious harmony

 

[Spring Onion]

As far as I know Peshawar is the better in religious harmony

We dont have feudals here . Sindh/Punjab is full of them.

 

[dabong1]

Its BS news......they day they reserve 25-35% of seats for hindus-sikhs-christians ect then we have something.
Having a token "hindu" in govt is pointless.......give the minority's proper power.

 

[livingdead]

Its BS news......they day they reserve 25-35% of seats for hindus-sikhs-christians ect then we have something.
Having a token "hindu" in govt is pointless.......give the minority's proper power.

something is better than nothing, people will think twice before saying 'hinduon ki zehniyat hi aisi hai',

 

[INDIC]

They have good population in Punjab and Sindh. They need to assert their powers through vote.

How to assert power when they are not even allowed to be elected.

 

[INDIC]

Its BS news......they day they reserve 25-35% of seats for hindus-sikhs-christians ect then we have something.
Having a token "hindu" in govt is pointless.......give the minority's proper power.

There is no hope for them, they will always be segregated through state supported Xenophobia against Hindus.

 

[Spring Onion]

There is no hope for them, they will always be segregated through state supported Xenophobia against Hindus.

They have votes. One should not give up.

They can form their commities and contact other fellows across Pakistan in every province. Make alliance and pressurise the political parties.

They have to stand up.

 

[truthseer]

25-35% to heretics when they aren't even 5% of the population? Next, we'll be asked to give 30% of seats to Ahmedis and Shias

 

[AnnoyingOrange]

They have votes. One should not give up.

They can form their commities and contact other fellows across Pakistan in every province. Make alliance and pressurise the political parties.

They have to stand up.

This reply of yours is exactly what I say when it comes to Muslims in India... they have to assert their power to vote...and they need to get strong politically.... as of now .. there is no political organization that represents Indian Muslims appropriately.. and in totality.

 

[livingdead]

They have votes. One should not give up.

They can form their commities and contact other fellows across Pakistan in every province. Make alliance and pressurise the political parties.

They have to stand up.

if they are spread across a state, they will have no influence in politics. Also if they are too small in number. May be they should focus on better education and trying to be best in profession where merit matters more.

 

[INDIC]

25-35% to heretics when they aren't even 5% of the population? Next, we'll be asked to give 30% of seats to Ahmedis and Shias

Did they ever demand 25-35% seat.

 

[scofield123]

If seats are reserved for minorties then why hindu and sikh members are rare....

 

[truthseer]

Its BS news......they day they reserve 25-35% of seats for hindus-sikhs-christians ect then we have something.
Having a token "hindu" in govt is pointless.......give the minority's proper power.

Did they ever demand 25-35% seat.

You were saying?