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SUKKUR, Aug 16: Leaders of Jacobabad’s Hindu community have accused president of the Hindu Panchayat, Babu Mahesh Lal, of making an issue of the Hindus migrating to India and blowing it out of proportion to serve his own vested interests.
Addressing a joint press conference, former president of Hindu Panchayat Jacobabad Lal Chand Seetlani, ad other leaders Jay Chand Kasturi, Mukhi Raj Kumar, Roshan Lal, Comrade Ajeet Kumar and Dr. Kanwal said that Hindu families had gone to India to visit holy places but Babu Mahesh Lal called it migration in order to gain his personal vested interests.
They said that during his recent meetings with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and MNA Faryal Talpur, Mahesh Lal sold the honour of Hindu girls by getting license for wine sale.
Instead of talking about protection to Hindus and urging the government to stop kidnapping of girls, Babu Mahesh fell for the wine license and made the heads of Hindu community people hang in shame, they said.
They appealed to the chief minister and MNA Faryal Talpur not to allow themselves to be hoodwinked by Babu Mahesh and take back the license issued to him.
They said the tenure of Babu Mahesh as president of the Hindu Panchayat had ended on July 16 but he managed to whip up the issue of migration of Hindus and tightened his grip on the Panchayat .
They alleged that Babu Mahesh had misappropriated million of rupees of the Citizens Community Board funds and called for his resignation and formation of an interim set-up for the election of a new Panchayat .
They urged the government to provide funds to elected representatives to enable them to carry out development schemes and provide jobs and scholarships to the young male and female Hindus.
They said that Panchayat was rich in resources and had no need of donations.
The house Babu Mahesh lived in was the property of Panchayat while he had sold off a shop given to him by Mukhi Chaman Lal, they said.
They appealed to Hindu community not to leave Sindh, a land of Sufis who preached love, peace and affection, and urged them to face the situation with courage. They demanded an end to kidnappings of Hindu girls and complete safety and protection to Hindus.
They appealed to President Asif Zardari, Sindh chief minister and MNA Faryal Talpur that if the license for wine sale issued to Babu Mahesh was not withdrawn immediately and protection was not provided to Hindu community people, especially girls then they would launch a movement after Eid.
They said that Hindu community was facing excesses in Sindh and Balochistan and said that many Hindu families had migrated to India from different cities including Jacobabad.
Meanwhile, a large number of Hindu community people took out a procession in Jacobabad on Thursday in protest against betrayal of Babu Mahesh and injustices with the community in Jacobabad and adjoining areas. Former president of Panchayat Lal Chand Seetlani led the protest.
Our Bureau adds: Institute for Social Movements, a civil society organisation and an umbrella for several rights movements, community organisations and NGOs have expressed concern over reports of migration of Hindus from Sindh.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, ISM spokesman Zulfikar Shah said that Hindus who were over seven million in the province were forced to migrate because of harassment, forced conversions, abductions and murders.
He said that protection of honour, lives, property, faith and culture of all citizens was government’s responsibility under the constitution and international law.
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Comments (56) Closed
Aug 17, 2012 09:58am
Welcome home.
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Aug 17, 2012 09:58am
Life of an ordinary Hindu is not any different than an ordinary Muslim living in Pakistan. Ordinary person living in Pakistan has been exploited by feudal lords specially in rural Sindh. Hindus like any other Pakistanis should be free to migrate to any part of the world that welcomes them. However, those who want to live in Pakistan for some reason have to pay the price like any other Muslim citizen of the country
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Aug 17, 2012 04:25pm
Please have a heart gentlemen. We must think clearly without any biases. The situation is really bad in pakistan, i accept. People don't feel safe, another truth. But being very honest and straight, it's for all. Situation in Karachi, Interior Sindh, KPK, Punjab and Balochistan is real bad but is not Hindu specific. Please dont fall prey to false media sensationalism on both sides of the border. This is the advice of a responsible citizen and is totally unbiased. Especially for my Indian brotheren to tell them the true picture.
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Aug 17, 2012 04:26pm
I personally dont agree with you, we muslims in India need to stand on our feet rather than get spoon fed by government. The basic problem with muslims " No to Education" in my area most muslim parents say what will my child do with education and that is where we are set back. Our familes were very poor and uneducated but they made sure we got educated and had better lives and we are doing same for our children. Lets not always blame the government or the hindu-muslim divide. This divide is there all over the world in different forms but its the people who have to over come these odds. talking about riots, what would you say about muslims killing muslims is this OK!! and we brothers but first we need to worry about immediate family and community than worrying about muslims in other parts. Pakistan has is suffering because they have taken the theka of world muslims.
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Aug 17, 2012 04:45pm
I understand your helplessness, but not enough buddy. Even in India we have extremist Hindu organisations, but we middle class ordinary Hindus, have crushed them ruthlessley and sidelined them. Thats what you need to do in Pak.
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Aug 17, 2012 04:33pm
haha
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Aug 17, 2012 10:56am
Any individual "under the gun" will sign any statement and agree with any falsehood. It is neither legal nor admissable in any fair minded court (except perhaps in Pakistani courts). Pakistani journalists perhaps don't care about such minutia.
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Aug 17, 2012 10:56am
Little do they know..........,Out of the frying pan into the fire!
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Aug 17, 2012 10:22am
Dear Hindustani. you called india a Hindu Land ,the truth comes out one way or another. Did you forget you guys are supposed to pretend and say you are secular. Dont worry our lips are sealed.
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Aug 17, 2012 04:53pm
You can't look at a still photo and make a scathing attack like the one you made. This guy may have carried bags for some distance and now asked the ladies to carry it until he gets some rest. The photo definitely doesn't convey the true picture, but it gives you an opportunity to prove your point.
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Aug 17, 2012 04:48pm
but hindus do not have same rights like muslims for example can hindus serve in armed forces or public service???
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Aug 17, 2012 03:15pm
Minority suffers everywhere whether it's Pakistan or India or the world for that matter. This is all about relative deprivation. Minorities make mountain of small issues anywhere they are. And I guess, they have to sought otherwise they will be assimilated, destroying their very identity.
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Aug 17, 2012 10:25am
listen to the interviews of pakistani hindus and you will know the facts.. pakistani media as usual is trying to save the face of pakistan instead of writting truth
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Aug 19, 2012 08:41am
I think Rinkle Kumari's case has shown that when it comes to forced conversions, no one can help Pak Hindus, not even Pak SC.
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Aug 17, 2012 10:27am
Sad part is the guy is walking nonchalantly and women are carrying the bags.When will this change in south Asians
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Aug 17, 2012 11:47am
You mean to say that either the DAWN reporter is lying or the Hindus that held the press conference. Such tactics will not help Pakistan because facts wouldn't change.
If I feel unsafe at a place, I'll ask for help or leave. If Hindus are leaving because some in their community are 'crying wolf', it's too bad; they'll soon find out the truth and either not leave or return. If the threat is real, then the government must take tangible steps to make them feel secure; as well as other minorities. Also, Muslim citizens must do their bit to protect the minorities.
What a beautiful family in the picture!
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Aug 17, 2012 11:39am
Secularism is the outer cover of India, in fact it is a dedicated hindu country. Cosmetically the minorities in India are made to feel that they are living in a secular country where as the ground reality is totally opposite.
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Aug 17, 2012 11:33am
Indian muslims consistes of roughly 15% of India but they are less than 3% of Indian civil service and most of this 3% are doing low level jobs. The same thing is about Indian armed forces. Muslims are not even 3% of Indian milirary and its affiliated services. The muslims of india are the least educated people of India together with Dalit. That's why the Govt of India has reserved Qota for muslims. Indian Govt is failed to implement Sachal Commission report. Then there are hinuds muslims riots. The riots in Assam, north eastern india is actually a hindus muslim riot but indian media never portray it as Hindus muslim. The most of muslims of India feel totally isolation.
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Aug 17, 2012 11:25am
Nice picture. Pakistani Hindus showing their back to Pakistan and Jinnah's picture. Poignant.
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Aug 17, 2012 10:45am
I dont think they have to be bribed to talk like that. They have been harassed to leave Pakistan
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Aug 17, 2012 10:44am
Itisvery difficult to find the contestedreality ofoppression ofsome 70Lakh hindus living in Sindh,If MaheshBabu of Jacocabad Panchayatis to be believed, theforced kidnapping of youngGirls iscontinuing and a majoprity of hindus feels threatened, ifconstitutional Authoritiesdo not rigorously enforce minimum Rights of such girlst o stay unmolewsted in muslim majority communities.
this happening after 65 yrs of partition looks like a nightmare's extended continuation.
With recentGeneration seeking to live in thesub-continent in amity this must be corrected with alacrity to stop the forced Migration of hindus from Sindh .D. Goel
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Aug 17, 2012 10:38am
The majority of Hindus in Sindh are more educated then the muslims, and are more dominant. At least in Pakistan, there is no quota on your caste, and your selection into medical institutions is purely on merit. My hindu friend (rajput clan) who I went to school with complained that he would not be able to attend medical school in India, due to the majority of seats reserved for lower caste and minorities.
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Aug 17, 2012 09:01am
Yeah? The Pakistani Govt & Military & Mullahs has paid and Bribed the Hindus to TELL & TALK Like this!!!
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Aug 17, 2012 12:06pm
You are not thinking right. 'Pakistan' gains NOTHING if minorities feel threatened and leave except bad name. Please, don't generalize the acts of some organized thugs to blame the entire Pakistan. We are 180 million people and such generalization makes more than 179.99 of good Pakistanis feel bad.
Although, physically, even if wanted to, I could not protect Hindus; but at least I feel for them and that's the best I can do for now.
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Aug 17, 2012 12:06pm
Yes very unfortunate. Here http://dawn.com/2012/08/17/indian-pm-moves-to-coo... have fun!
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Aug 17, 2012 12:10pm
Please read this again "Addressing a joint press conference, former president of Hindu Panchayat Jacobabad Lal Chand Seetlani, and other leaders Jay Chand Kasturi, Mukhi Raj Kumar, Roshan Lal, Comrade Ajeet Kumar and Dr. Kanwal said that Hindu families had gone to India to visit holy places but Babu Mahesh Lal called it migration in order to gain his personal vested interests"
I just wonder why most of the Indian Hindu bloggers here are venomus and trecherous like Babu Mahesh Lal. They believed in the first part of the story but not in the second part of the story. This is called "cherry picking" in news storeis too as they do in India or in Indian media. Indian Hindu folks, when you blog in a Pakistani newspapers please try to avoid your Historical and Chronic venom and be realistic.
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Aug 17, 2012 12:10pm
The caption of the picture says 'pilgrims'. I agree, a very happy family, but maybe because they are looking forward to meeting their relatives and do pilgrimage.
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Aug 17, 2012 12:08pm
Amir you are right , your thinking is well and balanced
thanks and welcome
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Aug 17, 2012 08:03am
Welcome to Hindustan my brothers & sisters this is your land, your Karma bhoomi, may peace & prosperity come your way, jai hind
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Aug 17, 2012 07:37am
India Muslims are living with dignity -- they have active and free life. They practice Islam freely .They celebrate their festivals, take our procession , they are active in politics , play vital role in policy making , they enjoy support from govt.., Many are successful business people But the same is not true for the Hindus in Pakistan. Very unfortunate !
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Aug 17, 2012 09:03am
Look At their Happy & Stisfied Faces How Happy they are to Migrate to India the "hindu Land"
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Aug 17, 2012 09:50am
Dawn wont publish any of my comments , but when did India turn into a hindu land, it is secular state............
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Aug 17, 2012 05:35pm
I never let me wife carry our bags , even when she insists, Lest people brand me a 'typical' South Asian. :)
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Aug 17, 2012 06:34pm
Look how well dressed and healthy that family in the picture looks as they go on their pilgrimage. They must have a good life in Pakistan. Even Hindus in India don't look that healthy and well dressed.
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Aug 17, 2012 07:04pm
Anyway everyone is looking happy, isn't it..?
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Aug 17, 2012 07:06pm
Don't be so happy, they will show their backs to India when they return from the pilgrimage.
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Aug 17, 2012 07:32pm
Really? Ask the Parsis, Bahais, Christians and Jews in India - anyone except the Muslims as they wi ll always have something to complain about as their hearts are not with India - they ask and ask for sops and never give anything back to the nation......aap bahut jaante hain India ke baare mein? Indian Muslim hain to complain to karenge hi aur Indian nahin hain to itni certainty se kaise jaante hain?? India mein koi Muslim murder bhi kar de aur police use arrest karne aaye to they claim they are being targetted because they are Muslim - they want to be given jobs without being qualified and they want a free hand with crime....koi sawaal nahin kar sakta unse nahin to woh Media aur Minority Commission se complain kar denge....God help our nation
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Aug 17, 2012 07:41pm
well, I'm just glad my grandparents were forced to leave in 1947 even though they lived through unimaginable horrors...or I might have been part of this present day exodus.
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Aug 17, 2012 07:44pm
sad our Hindu sisters and brothers are leaving, we should be ashamed as Muslims..Our Beautiful Pakistan is for every religion, see the white part of the flag is for non mulsims. I hope they change their mind and come back, my family had some hindu family friends for decades, very loving and kind people..
Muhammad
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Aug 17, 2012 07:45pm
Mahwish, i agree with you
Faiz from New Jersey USA
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Aug 17, 2012 08:02pm
Why can't Muslims buy a house or an apartment in mumbai? You seem to be a nice guy, please ask bal thakuray to allow Muslims to buy their own living places in mumbai.
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Aug 17, 2012 08:21pm
do you know any muslim left india in last 50 yrs?
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Aug 17, 2012 08:35pm
Please don't forget that just about the whole Muslim middle class of pre-partition India migrated to Pakistan after 1947. Many Shi'as chose not to migrate, and many wealthy Muslims who had too much to lose also remained behind. Consequently, the Muslims of India lack a middle class. This is like a ladder without any rungs in between the top and the bottom rungs. It makes movement difficult. That's all there is to it.
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Aug 17, 2012 08:43pm
well observed!
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Aug 17, 2012 09:03pm
From what I'm reading it is quite different. As bad as Muslims have it, Hindus have it worse.
Muslims are not leaving Pakistan to go to India. Hindus are leaving and its not because they're just whining.
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Aug 17, 2012 10:42pm
I am a Pakistani Hindu, and damn proud of it. First of all let me make sure people here understand the difference between economic migrant vs refugee. 90% of 200 Hindus families who moved to India are economic migrants. They felt oppressed here because majority of Pakistan is the grip of economic hardship caused due to bad governance. The majority of Hindus in Karachi and large cities are enjoyin equal or better life than other communities but in the rural areas hindus belong to Dalits community and for last 5000 years they are part of the system which was enforced by ruling elites of India. Now their rulers are convert Muslim but their mentality is the same. That powerful tribal fuedals treat non-muslim and muslim belonging to lower cast exactly the same. You don't hear kidnapping of poor muslim girls by fuedals because those girls become victim of Kara Kari. We Pakistani Hindus are concerned about this media hype and Indians interference. It will really jeopardize rest of us who want to live peacefully in the land where our ancestors lived for thousand of years. Don't use us for your dirty politics.
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Aug 18, 2012 12:32am
If the Pakistani Hindus leave the country , the Muslims in Pakistan will be the beneficiary. Because they will grab and occupy the lands, homes and all properties left behind by Hindus. No human being wants to leave his or her native land, because there lies his or her roots, culture, customs, hopes and aspirations. Pakistan is a country where Islamic fanatics are extremely powerful and Hindus are persecuted everyday in all spheres of life. In my opinion they should leave Pakistan not only for a better future but also to enable them to live with dignity and human honour. I am from Bangladesh (the then East Pakistan) and I know the character of the Pakistani power elites and its military. This country butchered more than 2 million Bangalees in the name of saving Islam. Shame on Pakistan. Long Live Democracy and Secularism.
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Aug 18, 2012 01:58am
I would agree to you ... being a Pakistan, I hate to admit it but it is a fact
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Aug 18, 2012 03:13am
Wrong wrong actually Muslims are more powerful in India. Some time i think of converting into Muslims with my family looking at their powers. Please find the truth in ground.
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Aug 18, 2012 03:25am
Muslims work less in government and more go to middle east or are in business. Whether you accept it or not. Muslims in India are richer than normal Hindus. They are much more united. And talking about education yes much more improvement has to come but that has to come from Muslims only, they need to work for that. Last 10 years Muslims have opened more education institute in India than all othrt community put together. Yes that institutes are beneficial for whole of India as they are not restricted only for Muslims education. Please do some more research then complain.
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Aug 18, 2012 03:52am
Muslims are in similar state around the World. You said it well
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Aug 18, 2012 05:04am
There could be some truth in your figures and the reasons for that could be discussed at length. At least they feel safe and not running away!
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Aug 18, 2012 07:48am
Seeing the picture, it no where indicates or portrays that the family is afraid or running in hush on the contrary they are too happy to be in India and cook stories against Pakistan, obviously the hatred they hold against Muslims has to come out one day and at the same time they want to enjoy the economic boom in India with there peers.
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Aug 18, 2012 08:09am
it might be the life of ordinary Hindu and Muslim are same in pak but fear of attack or rape or kidnapped make the difference civil society should come frwd to save them (if any in pak)
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Aug 18, 2012 08:31am
I admire your comment!
I never knew the Indian's mentality before I read very extremist view here at this website.
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Aug 18, 2012 08:07pm
the guy was just finished talking to the immigration staff and was handling passports and other documents, so he handed over the bags to the family. It happens at many ports to many of us. Relax.
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