illusion8
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Sadia Widad
As I entered the Gracy Lines area in Rawalpindi, I asked for directions to the Balaknash Temple, an 82-year-old temple that will be demolished soon along with 53 quarter houses. It is surrounded by FWO flats. As a guard at the check point told me where to go, he asked inquisitively whether I was a Hindu. I said ‘what do you think’ with a smile, and walked towards the temple.
Siwaa, who is 73-years-old, told me that their hearts were in pain because, after this legal notice, they know it’ll be difficult to not only rebuild the houses but rebuild this historic and treasured temple, that will be lost at the hands of religious intolerance. She questioned why they were considered less than the religious majority citizens of this country, considered any less Pakistani only because they were Hindu. She told me they saw themselves as a part of this land and could lay down their lives for Pakistan.
Why then, can’t they be equal stakeholders in Pakistan?
Rani Shoukat, another lady present there, said she feels they are unwanted here and are anticipated to leave, even though their elders have been living here for the last 102 years. She told me, with tears in her eyes,
“I was born here and got married here. Now, if we will move to another place I don’t think we can settle down. I have this fear because one of our family members left this area and tried to find a house for rent somewhere else, but they had to declare themselves as Christians there because the neighbourhood didn’t want a Hindu family.”
If they move from this place, which is relatively safe for them, how can we guarantee their safety considering there is hardly any place with religious tolerance left?”
“In block 141, Gracy Lines Chaklala, there are a total of 53 houses; inhabiting Hindus, Christians and Muslims, who have been living here for almost 102 years. All we want is that they don’t move us from here and let us live near our temple. We don’t want to leave the place just because some people want to build a residence for themselves.”
While talking to Ashok, we saw stones falling from the adjacent building being demolished. He ran outside to warn the children who were playing, to keep them from getting injured. Ashok calls their state ‘living like slaves in an independent country’. And as much as I want to disagree with him, I cannot.
The religious minorities in Pakistan have exhibited harmony and pride in being a part of this nation. Then why are we adamant on making them feel like outsiders? Why is it that they struggle to find their rightful place even today? Only if we succeed in making them feel secure and free will we be able to ensure a prosperous future for Pakistan. Let them stay – our Hindu Pakistanis deserve a home just like every Muslim Pakistani does.
Don’t demolish Balaknash temple, Pakistan! – The Express Tribune Blog
As I entered the Gracy Lines area in Rawalpindi, I asked for directions to the Balaknash Temple, an 82-year-old temple that will be demolished soon along with 53 quarter houses. It is surrounded by FWO flats. As a guard at the check point told me where to go, he asked inquisitively whether I was a Hindu. I said ‘what do you think’ with a smile, and walked towards the temple.
Siwaa, who is 73-years-old, told me that their hearts were in pain because, after this legal notice, they know it’ll be difficult to not only rebuild the houses but rebuild this historic and treasured temple, that will be lost at the hands of religious intolerance. She questioned why they were considered less than the religious majority citizens of this country, considered any less Pakistani only because they were Hindu. She told me they saw themselves as a part of this land and could lay down their lives for Pakistan.
Why then, can’t they be equal stakeholders in Pakistan?
Rani Shoukat, another lady present there, said she feels they are unwanted here and are anticipated to leave, even though their elders have been living here for the last 102 years. She told me, with tears in her eyes,
“I was born here and got married here. Now, if we will move to another place I don’t think we can settle down. I have this fear because one of our family members left this area and tried to find a house for rent somewhere else, but they had to declare themselves as Christians there because the neighbourhood didn’t want a Hindu family.”
If they move from this place, which is relatively safe for them, how can we guarantee their safety considering there is hardly any place with religious tolerance left?”
“In block 141, Gracy Lines Chaklala, there are a total of 53 houses; inhabiting Hindus, Christians and Muslims, who have been living here for almost 102 years. All we want is that they don’t move us from here and let us live near our temple. We don’t want to leave the place just because some people want to build a residence for themselves.”
While talking to Ashok, we saw stones falling from the adjacent building being demolished. He ran outside to warn the children who were playing, to keep them from getting injured. Ashok calls their state ‘living like slaves in an independent country’. And as much as I want to disagree with him, I cannot.
The religious minorities in Pakistan have exhibited harmony and pride in being a part of this nation. Then why are we adamant on making them feel like outsiders? Why is it that they struggle to find their rightful place even today? Only if we succeed in making them feel secure and free will we be able to ensure a prosperous future for Pakistan. Let them stay – our Hindu Pakistanis deserve a home just like every Muslim Pakistani does.
Don’t demolish Balaknash temple, Pakistan! – The Express Tribune Blog
