Hindus and discrimination
THIS is apropos of the letter ‘Discrimination against low-caste Hindus’ by Vijesh Kumar (Oct 20). He underlines the plight of the ‘low-caste Hindus’ (a discriminatory title in itself) in a part of Sindh which provides a sad reminder of how the minorities continue to face myriad problems in this country.
Moreover, he highlights the fact that the high-caste Hindus continue to have an upper hand and this 20 per cent rules over the 80 per cent of low-caste Hindus. This malady (rule of the rich over the poor) plagues the entire nation and presents grim problems for the unfortunate ones looked upon as ‘underlings’.
If the government is taking measures to help minorities have a voice, then it should do so in a fair manner.
The committee set up on minority affairs should also have proper representation from the low-caste Hindus. Otherwise, it is rightly said that the right of vote bears no importance for this ignored section of society.
As far as the general problem of discrimination against the poor goes, in addition to the necessary steps by the government, it requires a prodigious shift in the thinking patterns of the privileged ones. Otherwise, nothing can be expected to alleviate the sufferings of the poor class.
IZZ GHANAA ANSARI
Islamabad
‘Discriminatio n against low-caste Hindus’- as if rest of Pakistanis are free from discrimination but ofcourse the minorities have to face much more… SAD
They must realise that high class Hindus discriminate so much against low class Hindus and Muslims in India.
I am a Pakistani and have worked in interior Sind for long. I have not seen any discrimination against Hindus. They enjoy the same position as we Muslims.
I would have appreciated this article, if it was published in 1960s.
As on today the situation is exactly opposite to what is projected.
To be precise, a low cast candidate with 40% marks will get a college seat or govt job but it might be difficult for a general cast candidate to get a college seat or a govt job with 95% marks.
Be it job (govt) or education, the lower cast candidates have edge over others even if they are incompetent based on knowledge or marks because of the quota system
I have myself seen many low cast incompetent candidates sitting in top offices, simply because they belong to a community that is reaping the best of India.
Many general cast people have no alternative but to run to a foreign country for education and jobs.
The govt recently included minorities (Muslims, christian etc) in the quota list, adding to the woes o general cast people.
Is the caste concept an Indian thing or a Hindu thing? Regardless it needs to be abolished. People should be judged for their personal beliefs, personal achievements and personal integrity, not on who their ancestors were. Good people can have bad children, just as bad people can have good children. All children should have the right to aspire to an education and achievement in their chosen fields, and not have their fates determined by an accident of birth. Depending on your belief system, if you go back far enough, supposedly all of humanity had the same ancestors.
Opportunities afforded to the poor have always been less than what the rich enjoy. In every society, the rich and the previliged try to codify laws to keep this divide permanent. Hinduism being the oldest among major religions, this codification is the worst even after so many reformers tried to undo it for the past 2500 years (Budha).
Dear Sue,
Its a hindu thing. Its human nature to descriminate and it exists in other forms in other parts of the world. South asians if not by caste discriminate each other with notions of ethinicity, tribes, class and what not. They are like that and thats how it has been. Should it change?? as per your western concepts…well dear you arent living in utopia either.
All Hindus in Pakistan should be resettled in India and all Muslims in India should be resettled in pakistan. That will take care of 90% of discrimination, maybe even 99%.
There are different kinds of discriminations. Religious discrimination is one form. Rich against poor discrimination transcends ethnic and religious discriminations. Would you propose moving all the rich to one country and all the poor to another?
So Pakistan with a total population of at most 180 million is supposed to accept the roughly 140-160 million Muslims that currently live in India? Have you even thought out your post it does not seem so. Not only is that a logistical nightmare that is impossible, you also assume Muslims in India want to be relocated to pakistan. Moving hindus out isnt going to solve Pakistan’s problems, because than you move on to shias, than ahmadis, than god knows whose left that you actually like.
Instead of classifying people in terms of caste, colour or religion etc, they should be classified based on the need for education, financial support, etc. Otherwise, these issues will continue to exist for centuries to come and we will not be able to progress.
That’s true.
Pakistan was set up as a secular country and should look at ways to become and remain one. Every country with multi religions have issues with minorities however idea is to have a system for all and not for one. Religion cannot be a way to judge or look at someone, just a personal way to reach the All Mighty.
wrong…if it was to be secular …partition would not have happend. Please dont undo history here.