Memoirs of a (Pakistani) Hindu girl

[Dubious]

What do you expect pakistanis to post here..at best some sane people will write condolences. But they are not the people who form the majority in Pakistan. The majority in Pakistan consists of those who shower petals on a killer, beat an 11 year old kid for blasphemy and talk about how Muslims are not 'secure' in India.

Creeping radicalization of Pakistan is a fact. And we have to learn to live with it.

May I ask if you have been to Pakistan? Because you seem to be a self proclaimed know it all about the majority...If I take some Indian cult who also does the same in India or some cult from America (yes USA has such cults too) who does the same...can I generalize it to the whole country or make them the majority?

Memoirs of a Hindu girl | DAWN.COM

I grew up in fear – every face around me depicted nothing but fear. I am sure that the first expression on my parent’s face on my birth as a female child born to Hindu parents living in Kandhkot would have been that of fear also. Why did I bring so much fear into the lives of my parents? I grew up always wondering what is it about me that continues to terrify. But I always drew a blank. How naïve I was.

Before I knew it, the time to attend school had arrived. School was comfortable; however, there were times when I felt like an outsider, finding it difficult to gel in with rest of the majority. Perhaps the snide remarks and incidents of discrimination led me to believe that I am not one of ‘them’. Of those incidents, I still vividly remember no one eating with me and refusing to sip from the cup I drank from.

Home wasn’t very different either. My mother asked questions about my life at school and otherwise looking for answers that would somehow relinquish her from the unknown fear. Afraid to disappoint her, I realised very early in my life that my mother could not be my confidant.

Growing up was not easy.

And then it happened. The fears of my mother and many Hindu mothers like her materialised. I went out to one of the largest markets of Kandhkot and was abducted by a man I knew very well. He was none other than the guard who was responsible for safeguarding our temples.

Knowing his face well prompted me to sit with him in his car without protest, however, instead of taking me to my house he turned to an alley that I wasn’t too familiar with. Scared and unsure about what lay ahead I started screaming just to hear my abductor scream louder and threaten me. Astonished and unable to comprehend the gravity of the situation I sat still until it was time to step out of the car to a small house which looked abandoned.

We entered the house to find a large room devoid of any furniture and other bearings except for a carpet that covered the floor. I was made to sit down on the floor.

Uncertain about what was going to happen to me; my mind raced with thoughts of the recent news of the abductions and forced conversions of Hindu girls. I sat there shuddering. The realisation struck me and I could see my entire life in front of me in kaleidoscope. My mother’s fears, my father’s warnings, the alienation I felt, the yearning to be a part of the circle of friends, the search for a confidant, a friend.

My worst fears were reaffirmed when a man wearing a turban entered the room to teach me about a religion which I grew up hearing about, however, felt no urge to practise or embrace. He kept sermonising me for hours but was unable to get me to listen to him, realising that he left asking me to ponder about the true religion.

His departure did not ignite any fire for eternal glory inside me but only made me wonder why did my parents not relocate to another country when they had the chance to do so? Why did they continue to live in fear waiting for the inevitable to happen instead of making a move to safer pastures? And, what made me think that I am any different from countless girls who are forced to change their faith?

Each passing day appeared to be more and more surreal. The ritual of preaching continued for days, I lost track. Eventually, when preaching did not do the trick, my abductor threatened me.

The routine ranging from threats to persuasion and from glorifying the paradise to the wrath of God for non-believers only made me wonder: Do we not all pray to the same God — a God who is manifested in nature, colours, happiness and love? Why would he punish me for being a Hindu?

Somewhere along this relentless persuasion, came that horrifying threat of harming my family – I gave in. My approval followed a small ceremony in which I was forced to embrace Islam and later married off to the man who will always be remembered as the ‘messiah’ who for saved me from the unknown territory of sin and infidelity I was treading on.

After the ceremony, instead of receiving blessings for a happy and prosperous life ahead, I was immediately escorted to a local court where a Muslim magistrate declared my conversion and marriage in accordance with the law.

The news of my conversion and marriage to a Muslim man spread like wildfire. I dreaded the moment of meeting my parents. I never wanted to see pain and agony on their faces let alone be the reason for all their grief. Sure enough, one look at my mother made me yearn for my own death.

I wanted to tell her that I love her and that her safety was all I had in mind when I converted. I wanted to tell my father to keep my sisters safe. I wanted to tell my brothers to leave the country whilst they still could. I wanted to say much more but their silent pain and suffering made me wish if only I wasn’t born a girl, if only I wasn’t born in Pakistan, if only I had the right to be myself and practise my faith without being herded into a religion that I failed to comprehend, if only I could make them all understand that there is just one God for all, if only I could give us all an identity that we rightly deserve.

Looking at all the faces that once seemed familiar; I wondered: who am I?

I am one but share the pain of many. I am Rachna Kumari, Rinkle Kumari, Manisha Kumari and the many more Hindu girls who will be forced to convert in Pakistan. I am the fear of their families and the agony that they undergo. I am the misery of those girls who die a little every day for the injustices done to them.

I am a minority living in an intolerant society.

Apparently a retarded cult! You can not force a person into Islam...SECONDLY, you can not force a marriage...3rdly, Nikkah is not valid without the bride's guardians! So this has nothing to do with Islam, just some retarded misguided culturally oriented people!

"messiah"- No one should be appointed that title...in fact it is ONLY used for our prophet and any man using for himself is apparently part of a cult! Yes I know the word messiah has a meaning but a man proclaiming himself that is nothing to do with Islam...

 

[vsdoc]

I want to read Talon's post - this is how I get to it.

 

[notsuperstitious]

I want to read Talon's post - this is how I get to it.

Can you be forced to change your browser? Apparently its impossible to force people to do anything as per some apologists.

I'd love to see them post their nonsense in the Iranian section. That would be nice to read as Iranians seem much much at ease with their identity.

 

[Dubious]

There are so many different ways of asking Qabool Hai.

There are so many different ways of uttering Qabool Hai.

In the end the words are the same.

Dude...this is not about nikkah its about ACCEPTING ISLAM- get your facts right!

I want to read Talon's post - this is how I get to it.

Sorry don't get what you meant...

Sad story, I feel sorry for this woman. The question is; why do the religious minorities feel alienated? After all, the only difference between some of them & us is "belief". They may belong to the same ethnicities that we do. The part where the author states that people refused to sit with her or drink from the same cup as her was just shameful. Abductions, forced conversions & marriages are inexcusable too, protecting the religious minorities isn't the government's job alone, but that of the society as well. I must state that the actions of these so-called "Muslims" are completely against Islamic teachings. People have probably heard that many times, but it must be repeated to inform the readers that the source of this trouble is the society, not the belief.

Perhaps religious minorities feel alienated due to the difference between their religious customs & the majority's. It may also be that the overemphasis on the society's Islamic (religious) identity could be a factor leading to the majority rejecting the minority, even though this religious "minority" belongs to the same ethnic group as the majority. Incorrect religious teachings naturally play a role in inciting hatred against followers of different faiths. A combination of the three is the most probable cause of these issues. The solution? A strong & binding ethnic, cultural & linguistic identity with religion & education thrown in to the mix. It's amazing how many issues can be traced back to a lack of education. That alone enunciates its importance. Until this solution can be implemented, those of good character & judgment must take it upon themselves to ensure religious minorities feel proud of residing in what is essentially their own land.

Yup society is stuck in it's culture...they never accepted Islam as a way of life (which it is supposed to be) but accepted it as a different entity and hence can't seem to draw the line between their culture and religion...

 

[vsdoc]

Can you be forced to change your browser? Apparently its impossible to force people to do anything as per some apologists.

I'd love to see them post their nonsense in the Iranian section. That would be nice to read as Iranians seem much much at ease with their identity.

Apparently I need to get it done by the system admin guys here.

Can't figure out a suitable story.

@ Talon, - I think it holds good for conversion of males too.

Qabool-e-Islam is gender neutral unless I'm mistaken

 

[Dubious]

So you did not study mathematics, logic, compassion, manners but lots of denial, blind anger and moral name calling and hatred of the Hindu!

Educational reform in Pakistan is a pressing need. You are not aware but your contribution on the thread is actually very informative so far. We are getting to the bottom of it. Keep it coming.

Educational reform is a need EVERYWHERE...In Pakistan we need to get rid of those mullahs who are following what their daddy's taught them and are not following Islam.

We need to get rid off those politicians who are spreading hatred for their own beneficial...Because a common Pakistani doesn't really care if his neighbour is a Hindu or Chrisitian as long as they mind their own businesses there is no harm there...The problem comes when SOME ONE - until now it is debated who this someone is - INITIATES a wild fire by burning/ destroying or kidnapping a person of a different religion or even a sect!

 

[valkyr_96]

The problem with apologists like you is that they look for moral equivalence and are invariably weak in logic because religious logic is circular and 'judgemental'.

When someone opposes the whole moral judgement of 'one god' that does not mean he is ridiculing your one god concept, when one opposes imposition of your views, that does not mean he's imposing his views, when one says he does not want to follow religion, that does not mean he's following a religion called atheism.

When you religious nutjobs get your thinking straightened out and start respecting others viewpoint, then you will deserve respect in return.

I actually appreciate the first comment a lot, because typically hindus keep explaining to the supremacist retards that hindus also follow one god blh blh blh. As if hindus owe you nutters an explanation. When you start with your religious supremacist rants, we need to just ask you to sod off. And that would be being nice because you deserve worse.

i wonder how you came to that conclusion? i was merely pointing out that when the girl took a higher moral standpoint the comments are exactly the same thing she stands against... no one asked why who worshipped who and why but these explanation came out on their own( and we are nutters)no one asked for them no one was contesting your rights to worship your 1000 gods so When you start with your religious supremacist rants, we need to just ask you to sod off. And that would be being nice because you deserve worse. and when you start respecting others viewpoint, then you will deserve respect in return

no wonder people wont contribute in this thread

 

[Dubious]

These things are foreign to us, when we see these news our parents and they're generation are more surprised about his as it never happened back then in the good days of Pakistan.
While the opposite is true in India.

It has only recently happened because of the increase in the number of illiterate mullahs...We have really nice educated ones too...but since they don't create such scenes...they don't appear in the newspapers...While those which create such crap are those which the reporters look for as cover stories!

 

[notsuperstitious]

These things are foreign to us, when we see these news our parents and they're generation are more surprised about his as it never happened back then in the good days of Pakistan.
While the opposite is true in India.

Snap out of your denial. A very huge crowd including the founder ideologue of your nation Iqbal gathered for the funeral of Gazi Ilm Ud Din and a very huge crowd will gather for the funeral of Gazi Mumtaz Qadri if and when he is hanged.

This strain is within you, denying is stumbling right at the blocks.

 

[Dubious]

Apparently I need to get it done by the system admin guys here.

Can't figure out a suitable story.

@ Talon, - I think it holds good for conversion of males too.

Qabool-e-Islam is gender neutral unless I'm mistaken

I was talking about nikkah...thought that qabool thing was for the nikkah! Sorry my bad...

Snap out of your denial. A very huge crowd including the founder ideologue of your nation Iqbal gathered for the funeral of Gazi Ilm Ud Din and a very huge crowd will gather for the funeral of Gazi Mumtaz Qadri if and when he is hanged.

This strain is within you, denying is stumbling right at the blocks.

I do not even know these people! Apparently another few made the headlines in foreign news?! Read my post about how these people are chosen by media to be shown because their story sells like hot cakes!

 

[Dubious]

Bro she is a kid. Plus she has Down's - a severe form of congenital mental and physical retardation.

Who has Down's??

Its important that every one understands whatever these forced conversions are they are mostly happening in rural areas of Pakistan , one has to understand not only hindus but muslims are also treated like slaves the laws are like 17th century england. The landlord owns lives of people hindus have a little edge that they can cry out and will be heard as a minority but muslims they own their lives and families to these landlords. I knew a landlord who has his own jail where he kept families for begging no one knows what happens to the women.

However in cities there are no cases as such neigbours help each other regardless of religion and most minorities have progressed. Considerable no of hindus live in karachi who own large business and are very well off.

Yea the feudal system...HATE IT and am totally for bringing it down!!

I have to say one thing, while it is true that education brings down levels of bigotry(albeit slowly), it takes 2 generations of educated people to change the original bigotry.
But, in Pakistan, the education system initself is not secular. It is Islamicized to show Hindus and other minorities in a bad light while portraying Muslims all the all conquering and all enlightened true belief.

There is nothing wrong with Islam...Please read about Islam before making such comments...NO not from stupid sources or debates of some self proclaimed creature but from authentic sources! Then come and talk about the Islamic system...besides there is no word such as Islamicized....

Next the Islamic system allows each religion the right to practice- The prophet lived with Jews and Christians alike...He did not rush them out- Those are stories which sell like hot cakes! Please do not take 1 or a small group of idiots and question us about Islam...

Forgive me for saying this, you may or may not agree with it, but take a look at Indian CBSE school text books, i think you will find it as a model book to go along with.

I am deliberately saying CBSE- Central Board of Secondary Education and/or ICSE and not State Education Boards as i donot have knowledge about their contents. CBSE and ICSE are the biggest education boards in India.

Please look at our textbooks there is no hate speech...Not sure why people keep bringing this up...I saw a similar post in another thread!

I link what you say with the above mentioned point. Education in India is steadily increasing, and it is mostly secular. I agree with what you say, i find that too about India and Pakistan. The kind of religious bigotry and riots that were a hallmark of India are not there in the same kind of frequency or intensity today - ofcourse it still happens though, but not the same intensity and frequency. Its going down slowly.
Its reverse in Pakistan, i find increasing levels of hate and intolerance in Pakistan over the last decade.

I believe you find increased levels of media exposing such things...The hatred has not increased - it increases for few days when something happens but few days...and it is just that media focuses on these points coz it sells like hot cakes...No one wants to report about a peaceful practicing Muslims walking or shaking hands with other "minority" groups instead everyone wants to read about violence!

 

[notsuperstitious]

I do not even know these people! Apparently another few made the headlines in foreign news?! Read my post about how these people are chosen by media to be shown because their story sells like hot cakes!

Ilm Ud Din was a common murderer who was hailed as a hero by none other than Iqbal - the ideologue of Pakistan movement.

Ilm-ud-din - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I do not want to divert the topic, it was in reply to Uchiha's ridiculous claim that violent implementation of one's belief is a ''new thing'' in Pakistan. It was quite mainstream and it is.

 

[Dubious]

Education isn't the only solution, but it is without doubt one of the most important ones among them, & it can not be neglected. The number of generations it could take for education to have an impact on intolerance is debatable. The mindset of the society is another factor determining the impact of education, those who are motivated & willing to correct themselves would be able to rectify their previous mistakes. Although there is a degree of truth in the phrase: old habits die hard. This means that it could take some time to correct the mindset of those who believe that religious minorities are not a part of their society.

Yup the mindsets I agree are slightly twisted (for some people NOT ALL)

The only aspects of our education system's curricula that may require revision are the subjects of Pakistan's history starting from the beginning of the Indus Valley Civilization & of course Islamic studies. Most school books as far as I know do teach about pre-islamic civilizations that existed & thrived on our land, but unfortunately there is a degree of bias when discussing the arrival of Islam. That needs to be correct, history must always be taught from an impartial point of view. The Islamic curriculum has to be revised to present the appropriate values of Islam.

If you look at the new books, there is alot of changes, I do not remember reading much about Islam in my younger cousins' books...It kind of is left hanging.

One source of problems is the number of unchecked religious schools consisting of teachers preaching intolerance. It's the government's responsibility to take some corrective action against this issue & provide children with cheap, affordable, & quality education. This will deter parents from sending their kids to odd or shady religious schools.

TOTALLY AGREED!! 1stly, we need a good government! One that cares for the people and doesn't consume their money for their vacations!

Ilm Ud Din was a common murderer who was hailed as a hero by none other than Iqbal - the ideologue of Pakistan movement.

Ilm-ud-din - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I do not want to divert the topic, it was in reply to Uchiha's ridiculous claim that violent implementation of one's belief is a ''new thing'' in Pakistan. It was quite mainstream and it is.

Sorry I am still not familiar with that name...then again I do not deal with black sheep or lunatics...will read up about that 1 when I have time to waste...right now am more interested in what people think of Pakistan and if possible explaining what the real situation is as compared to what the media puts forward...

 

[Srinivas]

Nothing new happening in Pakistan, if we do some historic study, forced conversions occurred during the Islamic spread in sub continent,
First it was the turn of Arabic invading soldiers to force convert Hindu,Buddist and Zorastrian women in Punjab and Sindh. Now it is the time for the Radical fuedal lords and Mullahs to convert the people whose ancestors refused to convert from the time of Mohammed bin Qasim

 

[Dubious]

Well, for that Pakistan must first start investing in education a lot more than it currently does. A lot of the funding of the education sector of Pakistan comes from Arabian countries. They naturally have an interest in showing things from a perspective convenient to them.

I wonder why is this allowed? Why is the govt not regulating all of this?

Government is busy begging to feed its never ending tummy!! Hate politicians they should just die and rot in their grave!

Nothing new happening in Pakistan, if we do some historic study forced conversions occurred during the Islamic spread in sub continent,
First it was the turn of Arabic invading soldiers to force convert Hindu,Buddist and Zorastrian women in Punjab and Sindh. Now it is the time for the Radical fuedal lords and Mullahs to convert the people whose ancestors refused to convert from the time of Mohhammed bin Qasim

Thank you fro sharing your story book tales with us....
Many know that such crap was spread by crusaders to justify what they did as well as to move the blame from them to the Muslims....since they burned the Muslim libraries...there are no formal records by the Muslims but a lot of records by proper explorers in those times from China to Europe...Please read authentic books not biased propaganda!

if had this girl seen been islamic girl and had seen the same day in india.. all the mullahs had raise their gun on india. See how hindus are behaving with our womens and daughters.. Then bashing and condolences. And if possible few killings and blast... this is slap on pakistani faces who call them liberal and say minorities are enjoying their rights.

Thats the difference between the mullahs and the normal Pakistani community...It is the mullahs who love to come in the news and I have already written that they need to be removed...

Liberal? Lolzz...Pakistan is liberal alright...go see Lahore and Karachi cities...you will not see the differences between these cities and that of Mumbai or Delhi...But if you want to pick a village in Pakistan please pick a village in India too...same is going on on BOTH sides of the borders!