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Protect Pakistan’s Minorities

The militants had reportedly demanded a ransom of Rs 30 million to be paid by February 20. The failure to do so by their relatives resulted in the killing of Jaspal Singh. Around the same time, another Sikh, Mahal Singh, was killed in the Orkazai Agency. This is yet to be confirmed by Pakistani authorities.

This is the first time the militants have targeted Sikhs in Pakistan. This doesn’t in any way diminish the seriousness of the crime.

The Sikh community has been a very strong and healthy part of Pakistani society. Even after the Partition of the subcontinent along religious lines, thousands of Sikh families lived in total peace and harmony in Pakistan. A strong business community known for their enterprising nature and never-say-die spirit, 90 per cent of Sikhs are concentrated in the North-West Frontier Province.

What with the US-led coalition fighting an increasingly disastrous war in the neighbouring Afghanistan, the NWF province, has been in the eye of the storm for some time. Adding to the tensions is Pakistan’s own military campaign against its own Tahreek-e-Taleban — local tribesmen different from the Afghan Taleban — which has destabilised the entire region, driving tens of thousands of families from their homes in tribal areas. In their desperation, the militants have taken to abducting innocent civilians for ransom. Scores of people are being abducted and killed on a daily basis, in addition to other extremist violence including suicide bombing. No one is safe. The Sikh and Hindu minorities had remained largely unaffected by this increasingly hopeless situation. Not any more, it seems.

Whatever the reason, Pakistan must do everything to protect its religious minorities. While any action against innocent civilians is unacceptable, this is more so when it involves people from minority communities. Because when minorities are targeted, it usually proves the last straw on the proverbial camel’s back for a civilized society. President Asif Ali Zardari and other leaders have strongly condemned the violence against Sikhs. But Pakistan’s leaders should go beyond purfunctory condemnations. They must act.

What makes this whole thing even more unfortunate is the fact that these murderous acts by totally ruthless militants are often blamed on Islam and jihad. Indeed, these despicable acts have nothing to do with Islam or jihad. This is murder, pure and simple. Let no one harbour any doubts on this count. But this must be demonstrated and proved by Pakistani society.

Numerous Muslim organisations and leaders in India have swiftly slammed the attacks on Sikhs, rejecting them as un-Islamic and unacceptable. There must be more such voices of reason in the Islamic republic too — not for the sake of Sikhs and Hindus but for the sake of Pakistan.