Karachi: Religious minorities in Pakistan grapple with a range of challenges, major among them being the lack of authentic representation in both parliament in provincial assemblies.
A lawyer from the Bagri community, Arjun Bagri, a religious minority in Sindh, has highlighted the critical issues facing this marginalized group. Bagri, who hails from Matiari, a district 40 kilometers from Hyderabad, the second-largest city in the province, is actively involved in advocating for minority rights.
He told that Bagri Community, one of the oldest indigenous tribes of the Indus Civilization, holds a significant number of votes across Sindh.
Bagri state, “Minorities in Sindh face substantial challenges, including lack of representation in decision-making processes, employment, education, and healthcare. Additionally, the allocation of reserved seats in provincial and national assemblies often fails to benefit these communities, as political parties tend to nominate influential persons rather than those who genuinely represent the marginalized.”
Sindh is home to a large population of religious minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and others, all of whom share similar grievances: their concerns are being neglected due to their exclusion from decision-making process. A primary complaint is that legislative assemblies lack true representation for minorities, and even the special seats allocated for them have lost their intended purpose.
Forced conversion
A particularly pressing issue, according to Bagri, is the forced conversion of minor girls, where abductions and coerced conversions are common. Moreover, the safety of minority communities’ properties and lives is often compromised, with holy places frequently vandalized.
Mehnaz Rehman of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan commented, “In Sindh, the major challenges in Sindh include forced conversions and child marriages. She noted that while the Sindh government has attempted to address these issues by setting the minimum marriage age at 18, weak enforcement has allowed the problem to persist. Rehman mentioned that the Hindu Marriage Act is a positive step for minority women, as it offers legal protection. However, she emphasized that marginalized communities remain politically and socially deprived, despite not being legally excluded from reserved seats.
Bagri further stressed the need for transparency in the selection process, increased quotas for underprivileged communities, and improved protection systems. He also called for introduction of legislation to address forced conversions.
Sindh’s Minority Census Data
According to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics in 2023 that Sindh’s minority population totals 5.47 million. The largest group is the Hindu Jati, community with 3.57 million people, followed by scheduled castes (1.33 million) and Christians (547,000). The Ahmadi, Sikh, and Parsi populations, though smaller, also contribute to province’s religious diversity.
Feudal Lords and Dynastic Politics: Barriers to True Representation
Sharran Kumar Panjwani, an organizer of the Minority Rights March, provided a comprehensive overview of the systemic issues contributing to the marginalization of religious minorities. Lawlessness in the region disproportionately affects these groups, making them more vulnerable due to their limited influence compared to the surrounding tribal populations. Feudal tribal leaders hold considerable power, often using religious sentiments to suppress dissent and maintain control over these minorities.
Panjwani also criticized the political system, particularly regarding reserved seats in parliament, which are frequently filled by people from influential families, perpetuating dynastic control.
Rehman explained that political parties have the authority of nominate candidates for reserved seats, often choosing people who serve their interests and priorities personal gain. She said that civil society advocates for the nomination of minorities for general seats, but the electoral process is prohibitively expensive for poorer candidates. She also mentioned that discrimination persists, with minorities typically being offered only low-ranking jobs to meet job quotas.
Due to rising extremism and intolerance, many affluent non-Muslims have left Pakistan. The misuse and abuse of blasphemy law, often driven by personal enmity or greed, is another significant issue.
Sijal Shafique, a Christian rights activist and another organizer of the Minority Rights March, echoed these concerns. She cited historical power imbalance, discriminatory policies, and social hierarchies as the root causes of minority disenfranchisement.
“We demand proportional representation in assemblies and governance, inclusive electoral reforms ensuring genuine community representation in local government, empowerment of marginalized voices, and protection from violence, persecution, and forced conversion,” she said.
