THE Quaid-i-Azam’s speech to the Constituent Assembly on Aug 11, 1947, mere days before independence, was a clarion call against the dangers of communalism. Yet, like much of Mr Jinnah’s vision, the governments that came after him did little to translate these lofty goals into reality.

Today, as Pakistan celebrates Minorities’ Day, an honest reckoning is in order to ascertain how and why the state has failed its non-Muslim citizens. Pakistan, as envisioned by its founding father, was to be a state where all communities could live in peace and thrive. Quite the opposite has occurred. While it can be argued that India took the same route after Partition, eventually shedding its secular skin and taking on the violent avatar of Hindutva, on this day we need to focus on where we went wrong.

The current year — like many years before it — has been a difficult one for Pakistan’s minorities. For example, Ahmadis have seen mobs attack their places of worship, while members of this community have also been stopped from engaging in their rituals within their homes. The Christian community has also been targeted by mob violence, fuelled by dubious blasphemy allegations. An ugly bout of anti-Christian violence hit Sargodha in May, bringing back the painful memories of last year’s rampage in Jaranwala.

Meanwhile, the state has been unable end forced conversions and the kidnapping of Hindu girls and women. Much of this is the result of decades of steady radicalisation of society, and the unchecked power that violent extremist groups exercise. The state has, unfortunately, mostly remained a silent spectator as these groups have gained strength, and in some cases, has even used them for its ‘strategic’ ends. The rise of militancy and extremism, and the plight of minorities, are all interlinked, and have contributed to the culture of intolerance that has taken root in the country.

There may, however, still be time to reverse the tide. Ten years ago, in response to suo motu hearings, then chief justice of Pakistan, Tassaduq Hussain Jillani, issued a landmark verdict where the defence of minorities’ rights is concerned. In it, Justice Jillani issued several orders which — if put into practice — could significantly aid the struggle for equal rights for Pakistan’s non-Muslim citizens. These included a dedicated police force to protect non-Muslim worship places, controlling hate speech on social media, and forming a national council on minority rights.

Rights activists continue to demand that such an empowered and autonomous body be created to safeguard minority rights. In his Aug 11 speech, the Quaid reiterated that the government’s “first duty” was to protect the “life, property and religious beliefs of its subjects”. The state needs to do much more than it is at the moment to fulfil this duty.

Published in Dawn, August 11th, 2024