By
Sajjad Shaukat
Although
Diwali or Deepavali is the spiritual festival of Hindus, yet it
is also celebrated by the followers of Buddhism,, Jainism and Sikhism who
observe various customs related to Diwali. Besides India, it is also
commemorated in in Pakistan, Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Maritius, Myanmar, Nepal,
Singapore, Sri Lanka etc.
The
festival preparations and rituals typically extend over a five-day period, but
the main festival night of Diwali coincides with the darkest—new moon night of
the Hindu Lunisolar month Karitika in Birkram Sambat calendar. Diwali night
falls between mid-October and mid-November.
People in different regions in India may celebrate Diwali on various dates.
This is because traditional lunar calendars can be interpreted in different
ways.
Its
celebration includes millions of lights shining on housetops, outside doors and
windows, around temples and other buildings in the communities and countries
where it is observed.
Many people make a
special effort to clean their homes and yards before Diwali. They may also wash
themselves with water and fragrant oils, wear new clothes and give gifts of
sweets to family members, close friends and business associates. Fireworks are
set off in the evening in some areas. Melas (fairs) are held in many towns
and villages.
As
regards Pakistan, Diwali festival is also celebrated, as tens of thousands of
Hindus are living in this country and like other religious minorities, they
enjoy all the rights as the citizens of Pakistan.
It may be recalled that
during the PPP government, August 11 was official declared National Minorities
Day by the former President Asif Ali Zardari in 2009 in line with the historic
speech of founder of the nation Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah at the
Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947. In his speech, Quaid-e-Azam said, “You
are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your
mosques or to any other place of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may
belong to any religion or caste or creed that has nothing to do with the
business of the state.”
There have been numerous
Non-Muslims who have risen to the rank of Brigadier; and in the 1990, the first
Christian promoted to the Rank of Major General was Julian Peter who commanded the 14th Div in Okara
Cantt. Capt. Hercharn Singh, the first Sikh as Commissioned Officer in Pakistan
Army.
Particularly, a Rana
Bhagwandas was the first Hindu and the non-Muslim who was appointed acting
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan for a few days in 2005 and 2006,
during the absence of then Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry from the country. He
was again appointed as acting Chief Justice of Pakistan during the judicial
crisis in 2007. After retirement from the Supreme Court, Bhagwandas was
appointed as the Federal Public Service Commission.(FPSC) chairman in November
2009.
However, in the same
speech, Quaid-e-Azam said, “We are starting in the days where there is no
discrimination, no distinction between one community and another, no
discrimination between ones caste or creed and another. We are starting with
this fundamental principle that we are all citizens, and equal citizens of one
state.”
It is mentionable that
in accordance with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, the Constitution of 1973
protects the real rights and interest of minorities, living in Pakistan.
Every year, on August
11, Pakistan officially celebrates the National Minorities Day to honour the
services and sacrifices, rendered by religious minorities for the country over
the years. This very day also recognizes the contribution and sacrifices of minorities
in creation of Pakistan and nation-building.
On this occasion,
events, seminars and social gatherings are arranged across the country by
members of various religious minorities and the ministry of National Harmony.
Shahid Mairaj, the Dean
of the Cathedral stated in his message, on August 11, 2015 stated, “The
governing principle is to let people of every faith live in peace as they
choose, and understand that the state belongs to everyone. This country is our
mother, and it is a duty for all of us to help it to advance and flourish.”
In this regard, Member
Punjab Assembly and minorities’ leader Najmi Saleem remarked, “Minorities in
Pakistan have exactly the same rights and responsibilities as other citizens”.
Minister Incharge for
National Harmony Dr. Paul Bhatti said, “The Minorities Day provides us an
opportunity to renew the pledge for the promotion of tolerance and interfaith
harmony as in a pluralistic society, there can always be a divergence of
opinion on a number of issues, but these differences can be solved through
interfaith harmony which means a cooperative and positive interaction between
people of different religions, traditions, faiths, and spiritual or humanistic
beliefs, at all levels.”
He acknowledged by
pointing out, “Many steps have been taken by the Government for the protection
and promotion of minorities like the reservation of 5 percent quota in
Government jobs/services, enhancement representation in the parliament,
declaration of August 11 as the Minorities Day, including observance of
optional holidays and celebration of the festivals of minorities at official
level”.
A Sikh leader, Sardar
Bishan Singh shared similar thoughts and pointed out that all citizens of
Pakistan worked together for the growth of the country.
It is notable that the
Ministry of National Harmony was formed after the devolution of Ministry of
Minority Affairs to acknowledge the sacrifices and services of minorities to
promote peace, patience and tolerance for creating an understanding and brotherhood
among the people of different schools of thought.
Nevertheless, since the
formation of Pakistan, minorities are contributing in every sphere of life and
their political involvement is also worth appreciating.
But, it is regrettable
that in the recent years, with the support of anti-Pakistan groups like
Baluchistan Liberation Army (BLA), Jundullah and
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), ISIS (Also known as Daesh, ISIL), including
their affiliated outfits, Indian secret agency RAW which has well-established
its network in Afghanistan arranged a number of terror-attacks on Ahmadis,
Christians, Sikhs and Hindus in order to distort the image of Pakistan abroad.
In this connection, some
terror-events might be cited as instance. In May, 2009, Indian backed militants
had forcibly taken over the shops and homes of the 35 Sikh families in the
Orakzai Agency in Pakistan. On May 28, 2011 armed assaults on two Ahmadi
mosques in Lahore killed more than 70 people. More than 80 people died and 150
injured when two suicide attackers struck the All Saints Church in Peshawar on
September 22, 2013. On March 17, 2015, at least 15 people were killed and more
than 70 injured when two Taliban suicide bombers attacked churches in Lahore. In 2016, these terror
attacks continued particularly in Balochistan. Indian supported TTP and ISIS
claimed responsibility for these terrorism-related assaults. In this context,
investigations showed that RAW was behind these subversive acts. In fact,
besides other terror attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Balochistan and
Karachi, assaults on religious communities are part of the Indian scheme to
create chaotic situation in Pakistan, because it is the only nuclear country in
the Islamic World. In the recent years, the foreign-backed terror groups also
targeted Hindus in the Sindh province to defame Pakistan.
While, India which
claims an arch secular state has surprised the world because of continued
attacks on other minority groups, especially Christians, Muslims and Sikhs—and
events of forced conversion of Christians and Muslims into Hindus.
Unlike India, where
religious minorities are being targeted by the Hindu fundamentalist groups like
the ruling party BJP, RSS, Shiv Sena etc., all the minorities such as
Christians, Ahmadis, Hindus, Sikhs, Parsis and Budahists enjoy fundamental
rights in Pakistan, including all other rights of citizenry in Pakistan.
Pakistan which came into
existence on the basis of Islamic principles to provide respect and protection
to all the segments of society is giving full safety to all the minorities as
mentioned in the Constitution. Besides minority groups are not only serving in
the armed forces, but are also working in other departments. Without any
discrimination by the Muslims, they also run their own business and are working
in private sectors.
Nonetheless, Diwali
festival is also commemorated in Pakistan. Especially in Sindh, Muslims also
participate in Diwali celebrations and give gifts sweets and flowers to their
Hindus friends. We may concude that religious minorities are quite safe in Pakistan.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on
international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants,
Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email:
sajjad_logic@yahoo.com
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