One thing hasn’t about Imran Khan, the present Prime Minister of Pakistan and the former captain of the National cricket team – he always keeps on making controversies and gets in precarious position with such remarks. The recent remark with regard to ‘how to treat minorities’ has evoked global terrorism all over.
In fact, his friendly jibe has backfired and the whole focus is on Pakistan, an Islamic country which has been grossly intolerant to people practicing other religions other than Islam. The ‘terroristan’ Pakistan is actually miles behind in terms of providing welfare measures to people from other religions.
After more than seven decades of independence, Pakistan is still facing a mass exodus of Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists to different neighboring countries and this have been the same picture which has remained unchanged over the years.
There is one basic difference in perspective between India and Pakistan as far as religious minorities are concerned. In India, no one even calls the Sikhs, Parsis, Jains, Christians as minorities, rather the Muslims are referred to as such due to clear political reasons.
As family planning hasn’t been successful in Muslim families in pocket regions, some political parties look for ‘Muslim votes’ and thus they always look for bringing the issue of minority sentiment.
But as far as participation of Muslims in India is concerned, day by day, Muslim people are coming to the folds of modernity. In fact, Muslim people in India have achieved literally everything that any other citizen in India can achieve. In other words, even the Muslim people believe and say that they are Indians first.
But this can never be said about Pakistan. Minority people are mostly harassed with dubious blasphemy law and instances of forceful conversion to Islam has become very common. It is not only about Hindus, Sikhs, Christians in Pakistan but also Ahmadis, Baha’is, Shia people are facing discrimination in Pakistan.
Over the years, whoever has been in power in Pakistan, has failed to achieve something commendable in terms of doing remarkably good for religious minorities.
Pakistan PM Imran Khan has failed to do anything sustainable or credible in this regard. Perhaps, for the first time, Asaduddin Owaisi, the controversial political leader from Telangana is right in saying, “It is high time Khan Sahab learns something from us about inclusive politics and minority rights.”
But no doubt, the political parties in India are often irresponsible as far as handling minority matters. They need to stop taking advantage of ‘Muslim’ votes.
Otherwise, the inclusive development of all Indians will be hampered and there will be mistrust among people on various issues. BJP, the ruling party, has been traditionally a pro-Hindu party.
But there should be enough care and consideration to see that discriminatory feelings or sentiment shouldn’t grow among people. No doubt, Imran Khan has made a big blunder in saying such.
