IN his epic novel Delhi, Khushwant Singh depicts the plight of untouchables during the Mughal era in a very heart-wrenching manner. The character named Jaita Rangreta remarks that two people in Delhi are never interrogated or questioned while crossing the city gate: Jahangir Badshah, because he is the king, and the untouchables, because no one wants to touch them.

Sadly, this practice of untouchability and hatred is still common in Pakistan and India. We become angry and anxious when Muslims in India are treated badly by Hindutva zealots, but remain silent when similar things happen in our own country.

Discrimination against members of the Thori, Bheel and Odh communities living in rural Sindh, southern Punjab and some parts of Balochistan is very common. These people of the Hindu community mostly belong to agrarian occupations, working as peasants for feudal lords. The hatred and discrimination they face on a daily basis are unimaginable. In fact, they are not touched, or even allowed to be anywhere close by the majority of Muslims and upper-caste Hindus.

Unfortunately, their children face the same discrimination in schools. Owning a private farmland remains a dream for them. They pass their whole lives as peasants, and bear the brunt of infinite abuse, hate and violence. The so-called untouchables have no identity of their own, and are only recognised by the name of their feudal lords who use them as their vote banks.

This dehumanisation on the basis of caste and religion must stop now. Every human is equal and should not be discriminated against on any basis. On the other hand, the government, the media and civil society must address this pressing issue. These bitter legacies of partition must be abandoned if we want to live in a peaceful environment.

Ali Akhtar
Daharki

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2024