THIS is apropos of the news ‘Hindu temple: demand for judicial probe into demolition’ (Dec 7).

It is agonising to see, observe and read that diversity has been taken as a curse rather than a blessing in Pakistan. And this is why extremist elements have resolved to stamp out this beauty.

The graves of Ahamadis are desecrated by excavation. Young girls from schedule caste are raped. Temples are demolished.

Shias are persecuted. Christians are murdered. Sikhas are abducted. It seems that a systematic ideological warfare against minorities in Pakistan has been waged.

We are marching towards a bleak future that is awaiting Pakistan without beauty of religious minorities.

This looks irrational rather foolish to offer such an image at the international level and in the 21st century that is time of globalisation, democracy and secularism and pluralism.

Historically, this region carries the beauty of a minority group of various religions and sects.

Various minority groups have been living on this land for centuries. But unfortunately their number has been now decreasing day by day due to extremist currents. Interestingly, Pakistan has remained a land of founders of religions. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in present-day Pakistan, and it is said he received his message near Lahore. Pakistan is also the birthplace of Mahayana Buddhism, the form of Buddhism that is practised by most Buddhists today, including those in India, Japan, China, Korea, and Vietnam There were also about 1,000 Jews living in Karachi at the beginning of the 20th century. To contribute to society, a member of this synagogue, Abraham Reuben, also became a councilor in the Karachi City Corporation.

But in return we gave them demolition of synagogues. Today we haven’t any Jews in Pakistan.

Same can be the case with other minorities if the rapidly growing trend of religious extremism remains unchecked. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan reports that at least 25 Hindu girls are abducted in Pakistan every month. Hindu minorities, under Taliban rule in Swat, were forced to wear red headgear such as turbans as a symbol of ‘dhimmi’.

Not only Hindus but Ahmadis and Christians are also living under a suffocating atmosphere. Space for them is shrinking in Pakistan.

Space for religious minorities and secular and progress discourse is shrinking quickly. The government needs to take serious notice of the menace of increasing religious extremism. Civil society, too, must play its effective role to reclaim secular space and protect religious minorities in Pakistan.

JAMIL JUNEJO     Hyderabad