The drastic decline of Pakistani minorities

[Nitin Goyal]

It is fairly true that some people just do not learn the lessons. Maya Khan, the unprecedented queen of controversial morning shows, quite evidently remains one of them. Whether we talk about her endless stream of crocodile tears shed during the live transmission of her shows or her posse of women running after young couples, Khan certainly knows how to stir up sensation and ratchet ratings.

Khan, popularly known for running after people in the parks, was sacked after a social media campaign was launched against her. However, she was hired by another private TV channel soon for her sensationalism and controversies.

Her recent escapade, which involved converting a Hindu boy on live television, has angered many people. The show revolved around the ritual of conversion and people calling in to congratulate Khan, her team and Sunil, who was later, renamed Muhammad Abdullah.

When asked what motivated him to accept Islam, Sunil responded incoherently about his intentions. Most of his responses revolved around praising Sarim Burney Trust, where he works and supposedly received the courage to change his religion.

I am truly ashamed to have witnessed such a hideous mockery of the two religions. I am appalled to be a part of a society which hails such unjust and unethical practises and deeply saddened to know that minorities are blatantly marginalised on live television while the silent majority lives in denial.

It was ironical to see that not a single caller objected to this ridiculing of religions or safeguarding the rights of minorities living in Pakistan. I am positively sure that at this rate minorities will cease to exist in Pakistan.

It is rather disappointing to see that people such as Khan and Shahid Masood who are best known for gaining popularity through such shoddy tactics are being followed around like deities.

Amazingly, most of us fail to understand that spirituality and religion are matters of personal choices. Advertising and exhibiting religion is neither permissible in Islam nor is recommended by the ethical parameters of any progressive society. The bombardment of Ramazan transmissions featuring religious clerics, public and pseudo-religious scholars-cum-hosts that aim to question and reinforce the concept of faith, are nothing but promotional stunts to fool the public.

When will we learn? Why cannot we see that the only chance of our survival lies in tolerance and coexistence? Why cannot we respect other religions the way we honour Islam? How can a person who disrespects one religion, honour another?

The forced conversions and abductions of non-Muslims living in Pakistan are hushed-up whereas ‘victories’ such as the one we witnessed this week are publicised on national television, further intimidating and isolating minorities.

We talk about atrocities carried out in Indian Kashmir and the Gujrat riots but forget about the minorities who are living in constant fear of their lives, legacies and children. Khan’s show depicted the true picture of people because of whom the non-Muslims population in Pakistan is declining drastically.

Whether the conversion was forced or willful remains arguable, however, we all know how Pakistanis would have responded if a Muslim would have been converted on live television. The ensuing catharsis would have engulfed the entire country in a raging fire; however, the minimal reaction this episode has received just proves that we are a failed society.

Equally if not more, Pakistan’s media ethics are also to be questioned. The code of conduct which is found missing in most of the cases is one of the main reasons why such grotesque shows are approved for broadcast.

Who has given electronic media the right to disseminate such negative propaganda about religion? Is it not more important to address issues related to the suppressed minorities of Pakistan and broadcast messages of peace in harmony during Ramazan?

It is important to understand that unless we learn to live in mutual harmony, we will continue to suffer. The silent majority must rise and reprimand such media houses, producers and anchorpersons who entice masses to laud such medieval practises.

We saw a revolution on social media after Khan’s “chasing couples in park” fiasco and we must continue to raise our voice. The change will take time; however, it will also only be brought about by you.

The drastic decline of Pakistani minorities | DAWN.COM

 

[jbond197]

Nicely put ---

The show revolved around the ritual of conversion and people calling in to congratulate Khan, her team and Sunil, who was later, renamed Muhammad Abdullah.

When asked what motivated him to accept Islam, Sunil responded incoherently about his intentions. Most of his responses revolved around praising Sarim Burney Trust, where he works and supposedly received the courage to change his religion.


I am truly ashamed to have witnessed such a hideous mockery of the two religions. I am appalled to be a part of a society which hails such unjust and unethical practises and deeply saddened to know that minorities are blatantly marginalised on live television while the silent majority lives in denial.

It was ironical to see that not a single caller objected to this ridiculing of religions or safeguarding the rights of minorities living in Pakistan. I am positively sure that at this rate minorities will cease to exist in Pakistan.

 

[bandit]

Ironic, considering the fact that the trumpeted moral justification for creation of Pakistan was protection of minorities!!!

Maybe now Pakistan should look for some other excuse for it's existence, having lost any moral standing on minorities.

 

[Kompromat]

Is this article about minorities or maya khan , the writer seems to have run out of arguments and wanted to chip in some sensational event from the past that people dont even remember let alone care.There is no country in the world without problems for minorities , its something that can be improved not eradicated. Since Pakistan has only 3% minorities its our job to make sure that our minorities do not get discriminated and get their constitutionally guaranteed opportunities.

Moreover , i believe that our media has gone down a path of "a bad news makes a good news". There are real issues in Pakistan which are hurting 100% of the population not 3%. Issues like people ain't able to feed themselves , there is no power for days. There are Pakistanis without access to proper clean water supply and sanitation. There still are flood victims living in miserable conditions. There are internally displaced people still living in camps. There are millions of kids that are malnourished.

Why i must ask is that our media even newspapers as good as DAWN are neglecting the real issues and writing about anchors chasing people in parks or a 17 year old kid changing his religion?. Its about time when our media should start focusing on real issues and do a service to the country and stop bickering about non issues which make good news but make zero difference.

Regards:

 

[illusion8]

That would be an ideal solution, 3% minorities and such a dismal minority safety record

 

[Luffy 500]

Hindus anywhere in the world will always migrate to India and will be more loyal to India be it in PAK or BD. They naturally stronger bonds with their hindu brethren in India which is a normal human nature and no crime. And India too need this Hindus in a desperate attempt to preserve Hindu majority status if India in the face of ever growing conversions and demographic boom.On top of that fertility rate among hindus and christians in the subcontinent is very low compared to muslims hence this % decline. Minorities in every muslim countries are treated like Kings and that's a fact. No muslim country ever did, does, or will do Injustice to their minorities. We muslims are a model to follow when it comes to minority rights. SO Indians stop whining and trolling and face reality. Stop oppressing and massacring your minorities.

 

[Kompromat]

That would be an ideal solution, 3% minorities and such a dismal minority safety record

Pakistan is hardly an ideal place for minorities at the moment , but having said that there are people who care and are doing their best in their personal and organizational capacity to change it. Most of the attacks on minorities generate out of mutual disputes and state machine fails to distinguish between personal disputes and issues like Blasphemy etc which get intrenched by the accusing party for increasing the likely hood of a conviction. Violence against minorities is not mainstream nor systematic in our social fabric as if it was part of our social fabric than events of either mass genocide or state funded riots that happened in many countries would have happened in Pakistan.

 

[Kyusuibu Honbu]

Hindus anywhere in the world will always migrate to India and will be more loyal to India be it in PAK or BD. They naturally stronger bonds with their hindu brethren in India which is a normal human nature and no crime.

Er..........By that logic India should have a Hindu population boom, and Nepal should have been depopulated

Seriously, Last i recall Hindus from Afghanistan and Pakistan had a tough time attaining Indian citizenship, some had to wait for decade or more.

And India too need this Hindus in a desperate attempt to preserve Hindu majority status if India in the face of ever growing conversions and demographic boom.

If India is indeed that desperate, India will merely ban all conversions and forcibly sterilization the religious minority groups

On top of that fertility rate among hindus and christians in the subcontinent is very low compared to muslims hence this % decline.

Only valid point in your entire post?

Minorities in every muslim countries are treated like Kings and that's a fact.

Because you said so?

Drop down the status of minority groups in all Islamic nations, by means of the national average in development indices.

No muslim country ever did, does, or will do Injustice to their minorities.

Not necessarily.

We muslims are a model to follow when it comes to minority rights.

Self-proclaimed chants.

SO Indians stop whining and trolling and face reality.

Yup! i am interacting with reality right now

Stop oppressing and massacring your minorities.

Will certainly make an effort to do so.

 

[Damadji]

Its a very shameful event and reflects grave image.

 

[chauvunist]

@Indians...u forgetting this or what

 

[Pakistanisage]

Indians have an ABYSMAL record when it comes to MONORITY RIGHTS. After AYODHYA and GUJARAT, Indians should be ashamed of themselves to even point out fingers at other countries.

 

[Nitin Goyal]

ATleast by doing that they can save their life.

 

[jbond197]

@Indians...u forgetting this or what

You can not hide your shame behind other's shame..

 

[Pride]

Indians have an ABYSMAL record when it comes to MONORITY RIGHTS. After AYODHYA and GUJARAT, Indians should be ashamed of themselves to even point out fingers at other countries.

If it would have been one Mosque burnt by Hindus then you would have killed most of them (which you anyways did after 1992) and if Hindus have burnt a bogey of Muslims in Any state then all your concerns may be raised and listened by us but you my dear friend have killed/ forcibly converted them or come up with your most respectable law "Blasphemy Law" to hang them up.

Pakistan is hardly an ideal place for minorities at the moment , but having said that there are people who care and are doing their best in their personal and organizational capacity to change it. Most of the attacks on minorities generate out of mutual disputes and state machine fails to distinguish between personal disputes and issues like Blasphemy etc which get intrenched by the accusing party for increasing the likely hood of a conviction. Violence against minorities is not mainstream nor systematic in our social fabric as if it was part of our social fabric than events of either mass genocide or state funded riots that happened in many countries would have happened in Pakistan.

When you accept it is not an ideal place for Minorities it means you dont have trust on your machinery so just think about minorities. How they used to think about the same.

Regarding systematic genocide always happens when there are large number of people are available on both the groups. From 1947, You have reduced your minorities at such a minimal level that now their voice can't be heard.

Hindus anywhere in the world will always migrate to India and will be more loyal to India be it in PAK or BD. They naturally stronger bonds with their hindu brethren in India which is a normal human nature and no crime. And India too need this Hindus in a desperate attempt to preserve Hindu majority status if India in the face of ever growing conversions and demographic boom.On top of that fertility rate among hindus and christians in the subcontinent is very low compared to muslims hence this % decline. Minorities in every muslim countries are treated like Kings and that's a fact. No muslim country ever did, does, or will do Injustice to their minorities. We muslims are a model to follow when it comes to minority rights. SO Indians stop whining and trolling and face reality. Stop oppressing and massacring your minorities.

You talking my friend.. Hindus who fought with you in Independence of Bangladesh has been thrown out by you guys to West Bengal/Assam. They had to leave Dhaka and other areas after you systematically washed them. They dont have any other choice to migrate. When Tasleema Nasreen raised this in Lajja, You guys started doing chest thumping.

 

[livingdead]

Why is this even a news. What is so surprising or new about it?