• Rights activists, ordinary people gather at Frere Hall to participate in Minorities Rights March
• They remind the state of its promise to protect rights of every individual, including minorities
• SHC’s senior puisne judge Justice Phulpoto also attended the event

KARACHI: A large number of people gathered at Frere Hall on Sunday to voice their concerns on National Minorities Day.

The government declared August 11 as National Minorities Day in 2009. The date coincides with the historic speech made by Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah on August 11, 1947 to the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. Mr Jinnah spoke of an inclusive and impartial government, religious freedom, rule of law, and equality for all. He said that the state would protect the rights of every individual regardless of religion, caste or creed.

The people at Frere Hall called for urgent solutions to the pressing challenges faced by minorities, asking the government to protect their rights.

The Minority Rights March 2024 was organised by political, religious, social, non-profit, and government groups.

Upon entering the hall, the sight of people dressed in all-white outfits, accented by vibrantly colourful stoles designed by Priyanka Kapoor, one of the march organisers, immediately caught the eye.

“We are here today to stand in solidarity with those from unprivileged backgrounds who lack the means to fight against the wrongs done to them. Our daughters are kidnapped and forcibly converted, yet no one takes notice. This is the injustice we are here to confront, and we will keep speaking out until our voices are heard,” said Pastor Ghazala, a passionate activist for minority rights.

Women and children from Sindh, Balochistan, and Punjab cities attended the meeting, holding banners to voice their demands.

One banner read, “Kam umari ki shaadi na-manzoor” (Child marriages are unacceptable). Another declared, “Wajid Lashari killed me for refusing to marry him and convert. A jirga settled the case, and now he’s free.”

This banner referenced the tragic murder of Pooja Kumari, an 18-year-old Hindu girl abducted and killed by Wajid Lashari after she refused his proposal.

Another read, “Mai yahan Priya Kumari ke liye aayi hoon” (I am here for Priya Kumari). This banner was in the context of Priya Kumari, a Hindu minor girl who went missing while distributing water and drinks to participants of a Muharram procession in Sukkur in 2021.

“I come from a family where women aren’t allowed to leave their homes — not because we don’t believe in empowerment, but because we know the world is unsafe for them the moment they step outside. They’re abducted, raped, forcibly converted, and married off against their will while the government remains silent,” said Ajay Kumar, a participant in the march.

Jaint Kumar, the core organiser of the march, took centre stage to address the crowd about the critical issues facing minority communities.

“Even today, the law in Pakistan bars non-Muslims from serving as prime minister or president, which is unfair. Our founder, Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, treated everyone as equals. Minorities were as much a part of the government as Muslims, so why do we face this injustice in the present era?” he questioned.

“It is not a hopeful time for minorities, given what has happened in Jaranwala, Lahore, and Swat. We have not forgotten Priyantha Kumara, Asia Bibi, and all those who have been punished simply for being minorities in this country. While we protest for inclusivity, we also urge people from majority groups to amplify our voices. We want to be treated as equals; we want to be as much a part of this country as everyone else,” said Nur, a Hindu volunteer at the march.

“The law protects all minorities, however, the implementation has been a problem, but we assure everyone that we will assist our brothers and sisters in every matter possible,” said senior puisne judge of the Sindh High Court Justice Naimatullah Phulpoto during a panel discussion at the event.

The march saw many activists coming together to show their solidarity with the participants.

Among them was Ahmad Shabbar, a climate activist and founder of GarbageCAN. Notably, Mr Shabbar was the only candidate in the 2024 elections whose manifesto was entirely focused on green politics.

“I am here because everything traces back to nature. We know these people are struggling to make themselves heard and it is because of the unequal distribution of rights and facilities. It has been a long struggle and we are willing to be a part of it,” said Mr Shabbar.

The march featured a burnt Christmas tree with a sign that read, “How can we take selfies with a Christmas tree when our houses, worship places, Bibles, and crosses are burned?” This was a reference to when the IG Police Punjab asked people to take selfies with the Christmas tree in Punjab.

The event wrapped up with a stellar performance by the Mai Dhai group, who passionately used their art to brighten the rainy afternoon at Frere Hall.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2024