.: Pakistan Hindu Council :.

A bride and her groom perform a ritual during a mass marriage ceremony in southern Pakistani port city of Karachi, March 9, 2013. The Pakistan Hindu Council organized a mass marriage ceremony.

KARACHI: Around 22 Hindu couples get hitched in a mass wedding ceremony ‘Samvikh Vivah’ on Saturday, arranged by Pakistan Hindu Council, with an uncertainty in mind whether their marriage would be properly registered with the concerned authority.

There is currently no law for registration of Hindu weddings in the country. Though a bill was tabled on the floor of National Assembly in 2011 pertaining to the registration of Hindu marriages, which was referred to a committee, but no subsequent development ensued.

Pakistan Hindu Sabah President Dhanomal Maharaj said, “National Database Regularity Authority (NADRA) has devised a mechanism for registration of Hindu couples’ marriages for issuance of computerized national identity card and other documents but the issues of divorce, spouses’ rights, heirs and inheritance are yet to be resolved.”

The issue of Hindu marriage registration surfaced when flood-affected Hindu families, from interior Sindh approached NADRA for Benazir Income Support Programme and were asked for ‘Nikahnama’ (marital certificate). As a countrywide campaign for registration of Hindu weddings began, NADRA directed the flood victims to sign a Performa following the pattern of the ‘Nikahnama’; get it attested and submit at the NADRA office of their local union council, explained Maharaj.

Although the attested Performa resolved the registration and CNIC issue temporarily, the question of married Hindu women’s future was still a nightmare. A large number of Hindus, belonging to different castes have been facing problems due to absence of proper legislation. Many women were unable to have due rights let alone their rightful share in their husband’s property.

Extreme poverty has pushed many Hindu families particularly in interior Sindh to opt for combined marriages. This year the PHC council arranged wedding ceremony and dowry for 22 couples.

Talking to media at the 7th annual combine marriage ceremony, PHC Patron in chief Dr Ramesh Kumar said, combined marriages had become a social custom. Each year political figures participate in the ceremony and announce their cooperation, however, no efforts have yet been made to formulate legislation in this matter.

Renowned social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi was also present at the ceremony. He said such combined marriages were a solution for the weddings of poor couples. He was of the view that poverty was the main obstacle for delayed marriages in the society. On the occasion, Edhi distributed Rs 2,000 each among the brides.

Later, Pandit Ramesh Kumar Acareya administered oath from the couples. All the 22 grooms took oath to respect their spouses, their friends and parents. All the grooms wore white dresses, while brides were attired in traditional dresses. Majority of them were under
the age of 20.

A large number of politicians, social workers and family members of couples attended the ceremony.

Today is February 24. Last year, on the same date, Rinkle was picked up from her house. Her house was left in a state that suggested that a burglary had occurred and valuables were stolen. Her dupatta and her chappalswere left lying on the doorstep.

When she was first presented in a court in Mirpur Mathelo, she requested to be returned to her parents. The court, instead of listening to her, replied that she ‘was confused’ and therefore, should spend time reconsidering the predicament and handed her back to her abductors. It was as if the court was confused itself.

She was presented in court again on Feb 28, where, in her statement, she recited the kalma and became ‘Faryal Bibi’ from Rinkle. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. Her conversion to Islam was greeted by aerial firing by her captors who had brought her to court surrounded by armed guards. This was a new victory for them.

‘Faryal Bibi’ was then taken to Dargah Bharchondi’s seat-bearer and PPP’s Mian Mithu, while the gunfire echoed across the town. She was his guest and was taken to and from court surrounded by his guards. Actually, this victory was not the only feather in the dargah’s cap. The dargah’s deeds, ranging from the Manzalgah mosque that became famous for its role during the pre-Partition communal riots in Sindh to the assassination of the singer Bhagat Kunwar Ram of the Hindu faith, were oft repeated. The dargahcommonly converted non-Muslims to Islam before the Partition and this exercise continues steadily today.

This dargah is an ideal example in endeavours to increase the Muslim population from every corner of Sindh, starting from the Thar Desert to Kashmore. Then, how was it possible for the tilak-anointed schoolmaster, Rinkle’s father to fight for his kidnapped daughter’s return in this godsend Islamic republic state? Such news usually reaches the ears of human rights organisations or the media, a nutcase or two then run towards the news source just like the mullah runs towards the mosque to take up the case and bring it to justice. Bibi Faryal was familiar with Islam. Either Naveed Shah’s ishq was at its peak or the matter really was one of kidnapping and force that was being blamed upon Bharchondi’s seat-bearer Mian Mithu.

When the hue and cry became unbearable, the dargah’s owners brought Bibi to Karachi Press Club (KPC). But what was she going to say here? The dargah’s guards sat in their vehicles outside while the owners sat beside her inside. Bibi Faryal, fearfully, publicly repeated the kalma and revealed herself to the masses. The incident fanned criticism and protests by the civil society further, due to which, the high court was forced to take notice of the case. In the chambers of Justice Bajwa, a Sindh High Court judge, Bibi said that she ‘had been wronged’. It is unknown whether she was able to say anything else or not.

On March 26, she kept shouting that the court should ‘send her back to her mother instead of the shelter house’ in the court no. 1 of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). But just like the judge in Mirpur Mathelo’s court, the IHC judge mistook her yelling for anxiety and sent her to a shelter house instead of back to her mother so that she may, once again, reconsider her ‘predicament’. Unable to hug her weeping mother (as she was led away by female police women as if she were the criminal), at least she managed to tell her one thing,

“Mother, who are you asking for help? This country belongs to the Muslims. Everyone from the bottom to the top is an accomplice.”

This wasn’t the lament of the newly-converted Faryal but that of Rinkle whose voice had been suppressed amidst the noise in the courtroom. The next statement was taken in the registrar’s office instead of a courtroom and the newly-converted girl was sent home under police custody.

It was an end to the court’s story but just the beginning of a tale of pain and despair as no one expected any justice from any court in the land. After Rinkle, it was the turn of Asha, Lata, Arvna, Devi and Bhagwanti. The chain of such events had changed so much.

Once, an uncle of another girl Durga came and showed me her birth certificate. Her date of birth was 2001. She was a minor who had been kidnapped from the street. About three days later, the news that she had converted to Islam was published in local newspapers. Her upset uncle asked me if there was any court in this land that would fight his case.

The grandmother of another minor girl, Vijanti from Umerkot who had been raped, broke down as she said that she would migrate to India with her granddaughter and their entire family if they didn’t get the justice they deserved. Their food and water was diminishing.. Meanwhile, the Pakistani nation had wrapped itself in the coat of the Muslim ummah and had begun travelling on the road where there was no section for the identification of the non-Muslim Pakistanis.

Another February 24 has arrived. The students of influential dargahs and/or madrassas are entering their youth. O you kafirs, protect your girls! The era of ulfat-e-Islam is about to begin for them as the list of young girls, newly-converted to Islam, is being prepared.

In 2008, the military estates officer (MEO) of the area issued eviction notices to the temple and more than a dozen Hindu families residing in houses built around it, to clear the way for its purchase by a major construction firm based in Karachi.
“The residents refused, saying they had been living here for more than 50 years and had a right to be offered ownership rights for a price instead of being thrown out,” says Dr Ramesh Vankwani, the head of the community organisation, the Pakistan Hindu Council.
A plea filed by one of the residents was dismissed by a court in November, paving the way for the construction firm to forcibly evict the residents last Saturday.
The community staged angry protests on Sunday, saying the demolition squad had desecrated their articles of faith and deprived several poor people of a roof over their head.

Karachi

When Laxman saw four men entering the Hindu temple with their shoes on, he instantly yelled at them to stop in their tracks. But the only reward he got for trying to protect the sanctity of his place of worship was a beating. With every punch and kick, he was called names like Bhangi (sweeper) and Kafir (infidel).

“I can’t explain how I felt at that moment. I was both enraged and terrified,” said the 35-year-old resident of the Shri Rama Mandir compound in Soldier Bazaar.

The demolition of the century-old temple stirred a sense of insecurity among the already frightened Hindu community in the city and reaffirmed its belief that people practicing the religion existed as second-class citizens in Pakistan.

“I said they can shoot me if they like, but I won’t let them go in with shoes,” said Laxman, a man partially paralysed by a stroke.

“Half of my body does not work, but at that moment, Rama Pir gave me the strength to fight, and I did what I could,” he said.

The men put the statues and tridents from the temple out on the ground. Then a bulldozer reduced the pre-partition Mandir to rubble. A number of houses in the compound were also demolished, rendering around a dozen families homeless. They even pried opened the donation box and took away the cash and jewellery, the residents alleged.

“We have been living in this compound since the British era”, said Maharaj Badriram, the priest of the Shri Rama Pir Mandir. “We never had any problems with the larger community, but the treatment meted out on this occasion was inhumane. People look to me for help, but now, I find myself helpless,” he said.

A 17-year-old Hindu boy, who took video footage of the planned demolition, claimed that some bearded men associated with a political party oversaw the destruction. “I don’t understand how people can insult the religion of others and expect respect in return,” he said.

The President of the Schedule Caste Federation Pakistan, Kalidas Khandara, said that people in the country take Hindus for granted. “They think we are weak, so they can intimidate us, but this time, it won’t happen.”

Protest

Hundreds of people from the Hindu community staged a peaceful rally from Doli Khata, Soldier Bazaar, to the Karachi Press Club to protest against the demolition of the Shri Rama Pir Mandir, which was illegally demolished on Saturday.

“Every time a temple is threatened, we have to run to the courts. It is the third time it has happened this year,” said Ramesh Kumar Wakwani, the head of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

“There should be a stipulated policy for our properties in this country; we are also a part of Pakistan.”

The protestors demanded that the government immediately restore the temple with all its dignity.

Wakwani said that the double standards against Hindus in the city could be gauged from the fact that those coming from outside and building shanty towns in Karachi get leases, but Hindus living here for more than a century were still considered illegal.

Speaking about the demolished temple, Kalidas Khandara of the Scheduled Caste Federation said that Ramapir Mandir was restored by the government in the year 2000, which went to show that the place of worship was not only registered, but received government grants as it was a\deserving heritage site.

Sources in the community informed this scribe that representatives of Hindus were planning to register a blasphemy case against the real estate builders and government officials, who flouted court orders and destroyed a religious site.

Demolition condemned

Leading activist and former federal minister for human rights, Ansar Burney, strongly condemned the demolition of the Hindu temple in Karachi and demanded that strict action against be taken against the builders. He also called on authorities to ensure the safety of the Hindu community, PPI adds.

Burney said the demolition of the century-old temple on Saturday by a builder triggered large-scale protests by human and civil rights activists as well as the Hindu community.

Burney said the builder not only demolished the temple, but in a blasphemous act, his workers disrespected the idols of Hindu deities placed inside the temple.

He said some people allied with the builder physically hurt some members of the minority. “Everyone should be free to practice his or her religion and it is the duty of the government to ensure the safety and security of minorities living in Pakistan,” Burney stressed.

He said many Hindu families of Pakistan had already migrated to India due to persecution and humiliation at the hands of fundamentalists.

“The builder claims that the land, where the temple is constructed, has been encroached upon. Even if that is so, the builder should not have demolished the temple as a humanitarian gesture,” he said. The human rights activist concluded that he would take up the issue with the local authorities to ensure that the minority gets justice.

KARACHI: Pakistani Hindus on Sunday protested the destruction of a Hindu temple in Karachi. The temple was razed, along with some nearby homes, by a builder.

Minority Hindus have complained of increasing harassment and discrimination in Muslim-dominated Pakistan in recent years, including the destruction or desecration of their places of worship.

Residents and members of the Hindu community said on Sunday a builder with a police escort razed the small temple in one of the older neighborhoods of Karachi, along with some surrounding buildings.

The outer walls and roof of the temple were demolished, and rubble was strewn about the area. Local residents told an AP reporter on the scene that authorities took statues and artifacts out of the building before it was destroyed.

One of the longtime residents, 75-year-old Kali Das, said he was born in the area and remembers when the temple, called Sri Rama Peer Naval, was built. He said more than a hundred families lived nearby and prayed at the temple.

Residents protested at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, demanding compensation as well as the return of religious materials they said were taken during the incident.

Ramesh Kumar Vankwani from the Pakistan Hindu Council said there is a long-running legal dispute between the builder and residents over the land, but it belongs to the Hindu residents.

Zeenat Ahmad, who runs the department in charge of military land, said a court order allowed some of the buildings to be razed. A Pakistani police officer, Parvez Iqbal, denied anything was taken.

The military owns vast tracts of land in Karachi and other parts of the country. Vankwani said the incident was another example of the problems Hindus are facing in Pakistan.

Hindus complain that girls are forcibly converted to Islam, there is no legal recognition for Hindu marriages, and Hindus are discriminated against when it comes to access to government jobs or schooling.

”Every month there is an incident, like taking property of Hindu people or forced conversion of Hindu girls,” he said.

During partition in 1947, the violent separation of Pakistan and India into separate countries, hundreds of thousands of Hindus decided to migrate to India, where Hinduism is the dominant religion.

Those who remained and their descendants now make up a tiny fraction of Pakistan’s estimated 190 million citizens. Most live in Sindh province in the southern part of the country.

KARACHI, Dec 2: A large number of members of the Hindu minority community staged a demonstration on Sunday in protest over a demolition operation in a Garden locality, claiming that during the operation a Hindu temple had been damaged and religious objects desecrated..

They added that their houses had been destroyed, and called for stern action against those responsible for it.

Speaking at the demonstration organised by the Hindu Panchayat of Doly Khata at the Karachi Press Club, community elders said they had been living at the place for over 100 years and it was for the past some time that officials and private individuals had been harassing them to vacate a plot, and the issue was in court. However, on Saturday morning some people accompanied by the police and Rangers arrived there and started the demolition operation, they said, adding that they had not been informed and the operation was started all of a sudden.

They claimed that the people accompanying the police took away their religious objects, gold jewellery and other valuables and then started to damage the temple.

They said that some people, including Sohen Bhai, Ashok and Sanjay (a boy), Lachhman, who were trying to protect the temple and bring back the snatched religious objects were injured during the process.

Pakistan Hindu Council chief Ramesh Vankwani said the action was uncalled for and the way the demolition was carried out showed a mala fide intention.

He said that the court was moved and a stay order had been granted and the next hearing would be held on Dec 7.

KARACHI, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani Hindus Sunday protested the destruction of a Hindu temple in the southern port city of Karachi. The temple was razed, along with some nearby homes, by a builder.
Minority Hindus have complained of increasing harassment and discrimination in Muslim-dominated Pakistan in recent years, including the destruction or desecration of their places of worship.
Residents and members of the Hindu community said Sunday a builder with a police escort razed the small temple in one of the older neighborhoods of Karachi, along with some surrounding buildings.
The outer walls and roof of the temple were demolished, and rubble was strewn about the area. Local residents told an AP reporter on the scene that authorities took statues and artifacts out of the building before it was destroyed.
One of the longtime residents, 75-year-old Kali Das, said he was born in the area and remembers when the temple, called Sri Rama Peer Naval, was built. He said more than a hundred families lived nearby and prayed at the temple.
Residents protested at the Karachi Press Club on Sunday, demanding compensation as well as the return of religious materials they said were taken during the incident.
Ramesh Kumar Vankwani from the Pakistan Hindu Council said there is a long-running legal dispute between the builder and residents over the land, but it belongs to the Hindu residents.
Zeenat Ahmad, who runs the department in charge of military land, said a court order allowed some of the buildings to be razed. A Pakistani police officer, Parvez Iqbal, denied anything was taken.
The military owns vast tracts of land in Karachi and other parts of the country.
Vankwani said the incident was another example of the problems Hindus are facing in Pakistan. Hindus complain that girls are forcibly converted to Islam, there is no legal recognition for Hindu marriages, and Hindus are discriminated against when it comes to access to government jobs or schooling.
"Every month there is an incident, like taking property of Hindu people or forced conversion of Hindu girls," he said.
During partition in 1947, the violent separation of Pakistan and India into separate countries, hundreds of thousands of Hindus decided to migrate to India, where Hinduism is the dominant religion. Those who remained and their descendants now make up a tiny fraction of Pakistan's estimated 190 million citizens. Most live in Sindh province in the southern part of the country.

RESIDENTS protest against the demolition of a building housing a temple in Doly Khata near the Holy Family Hospital in Garden on Saturday

However, the director of military lands and cantonments claimed that no religious place had been damaged in the anti-encroachment operation carried out in a locality falling within the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board Karachi.

Pakistan Hindu Council chief Ramesh Vankwani condemned the demolition of a temple in the building in Doly Khata, near the Holy Family Hospital, where he said the Hindus had been living for a long time.

He said that the issue was in court and the demolition team along with police and Rangers came to the area on Saturday, started the operation immediately that destroyed residences as well as the temple in the building.

He said that the religious objects in the temple were desecrated and thrown out.

He said that a sense of insecurity among the Hindu community was spreading owing to such highhandedness by the administration and law-enforcement agencies.

He said that he tried to contact the home secretary and the chief secretary but they could not be approached.

However, the Sindh police chief was contacted and he informed him (Mr Vankwani) that the action was being taken on a court directive. He said that the issue was between residents of the building and a builder who claimed that he had purchased the building.

Mr Vankwani said that a meeting of the minority community victims was being organised at the demolished site on Sunday morning to devise a future line of action so that the minority community members were not be further victimised and their rights protected.

He also demanded stern action against those who had desecrated the temple/ religious place and objects and residences.

Meanwhile, Director Military Lands and Cantonments Zeenat Ahmed told Dawn that the military estate officer had conducted the anti-encroachment operation and vacated the building from the people who were illegally occupying it.

She, however, made it clear that no religious place/temple was damaged or destroyed.

She said that the government had given clear orders that the religious place of any community should not be disturbed.

Wajanti rape case

AMRITSAR: Pakistan's minister of state for national Harmony Akram Masih Gill and chairman, Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), which look after the gurdwara and temple properties left in Pakistan after Indo Pak partition, Sayed Asif Hashmi, enjoying status of a minister, are at loggerheads after the former accused Hashmi of financial irregularities, doling away properties of gurdwara's and temples at throw away prices and have sought details of financial dealings and accounts of ETPB within 4 working days after Eid celebrations.

ETPB is also blamed for spending funds meant for welfare of non Muslims on Haj. While talking to TOI over phone on Friday, Gill said he had sought details of financial dealings and accounts of ETPB to be presented before Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in its next meeting.

Gill who is also member of PAC said "We want to know how much money the Board had in its possession in 2008 when Hashmi took over as Chairman of ETPB and how much is in its savings now" adding that according to reports received by him the Board had Rs 900 crore in its possession which has now dropped down to Rs 400 crore in about 4 years time. Stating that ETPB comes under his ministry he said "The accounts are with them, they have never given detail to us".

The minister also accused the Board officials for not taking approval from federal government for financial dealings and appointments. On the other hand Hashmi has vehemently denied the allegations. He told TOI "It is all false, bunch of lies , not a penny has been siphoned off , in fact the funds of ETPB have doubled in my tenure". He said being Chairman of ETPB he had spent Rs 270 crore on the development of gurdwara's and temples in Pakistan . "The staff , office and salaries of ETPB have increased manifold yet its savings have been doubled" he said.

However he didn't give any figures. Hashmi instead blamed on Minister stating that "He demands various favours from me which I have refused besides he wants ETPB's funds to be spent for the welfare of Christians which I have also refused since the money belongs to temples and gurdwara's". "He is a jealous " said Hashmi. He said ever since he had joined as Chairman, only once a jatha had gone for Haj and after that he had stopped spending ETPB funds for Haj.Earlier In past Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Sikh's single largest representative body , had also blamed ETPB for being hand in glove with private builders and selling Gurdwara properties. SGPC member Surinder Singh Dobalia who had led a Sikh jatha to Pakistan in 2011 had taken up the issue of Gurdwara properties with the then Pakistan Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani.

ETPB was accused of doling out prime Gurdwara property to Defence Housing Association in exchange of insignificant piece of land causing huge losses , allowing Dawat-e-Islami to construct a tomb in the precincts of Gurdwara Shahed Bhai Taru in Makhan Tola, Lahore, construction of shopping plaza on the property of Gurdwara Janamstahan Guru Ram Das, Chuna Mandi Lahore. The Minister informed that PAC that had its meeting in recent past has asked Hashmi to bring in the details of land exchange. Chairman of Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Vankvani told TOI that the Council had written to Pak Prime Minister about the mismanagement and financial irregularities by ETPB while demanding that only a non Muslim should head the ETPB. "Properties worth crores of rupees have been doled out at throw away prices " he said.

Kiran Kumari with her husband, Shabbir Ahmed, at Mian Mitho’s residence in Daharki

Ramesh Vankvani, president of the Pakistan Hindu Council, claims that at least 80 such cases, involving young girls, have been reported to him in 2012 alone. Conversion cases have, in fact, increased over the years. “A decade ago, there would be one or two cases in a year but in the last few years the situation has drastically deteriorated. In 2010 and 2011, there were at least 50 reported cases of abduction and forced conversion,” says Vankawani. “We must remember that many families do not even report the abductions because they fear losing respect within the community,” he says.

Pakistan court stays demolition of 200-year-old Hindu temple in Karachi (Islamabad September 16 2012)

A court in Pakistan has restrained authorities in the port city of Karachi from demolishing a Hindu temple believed to have been constructed 200 years ago, a media report said.

According to the Dawn newspaper, the Sindh High Court restrained the Karachi Port Trust (KPT) and other respondents from demolishing the Shri Laxmi Narayan Mandir at the Native Jetty Bridge.

A bench led by Chief Justice Mushir Alam asked a court official to inspect the temple and submit a report.

A constitutional petition was recently filed by Kailash Wishram, who lives in the residential quarters on the temple premises, saying that a private company in collaboration with the KPT had started some construction work blocking the access to seawater from the temple.

The petition said the construction threatened the place of worship and also the right of the minority community at large.

The secretary of ports and shipping ministry, the KPT chairman and the private firm that ran a food court under the bridge were named respondents.

The petitioner said the temple was constructed much before the partition of the subcontinent, and for a long time Hindus have been performing religious rituals there.

The Pakistan Hindu Council says the temple was constructed 200 years ago and many Hindu festivals are celebrated there.

It is also a sacred place for performing funerals and other religious rituals by the sea.

The court ordered that the temple, its staircase, boundary wall and corridors originally constructed may not be demolished.

Hindus' Share in Development

Government needs to act fast to restore confidence in Hindu population of Pakistan: PHC

Patron Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani told TOI that the current spell of taking away Hindu girls and forcing them to embrace Islam had given a fatal blow to the Hindu's honour and dignity .

TEARS rolled down my eyes when I read reports about the Hindu migration to India. The continuation of lawlessness, abductions, forced-conversions and life threats, it seems so, had compelled the Hindus to think about abandoning their centuries-old established homes behind and move to India, from a land that was purely created to safeguard a Muslim Minority who felt insecure in a Hindu-dominated society.

Hindus and Sikhs were living here harmoniously with the local people when the concept of a pure Muslim homeland (Pakistan) was not invented yet.

The Hindus successfully and effectively contributed in developing local businesses to make sure the easy supplement of various commodities to people.

Their valuable efforts in the development of a diversely rich civilization can not be ignored.

The government’s inefficient officials, as usual, are refuting these reports to hide their failure about the disgusting law and order situation which caused an emotional and psychological disorder. Now it is seemingly futile to expect any miracle from the government, but one thing which we can truly and essentially do, with a head down because of shame, is to say: sorry Hindus, we could not do anything for you.

Hindus worshipping at Shiva Temple in Karachi's Clifton area, one of only 100 temples left in the city, of a total of 460 at the time of partition in 1947.

KARACHI, Aug 24 2012 (IPS) - Narain Das, a cloth merchant from Jacobabad in northern Pakistan, blesses his lucky stars that he has three sons, aged 18, 16 and 12. “If they were daughters, I, too, would seriously be thinking of migrating from here,” he reflects on the lack of protection his community faces.

“Abduction, rape and coerced conversion of our daughters, extortion, blackmailing and kidnapping of businessmen for ransom” are some of the reasons given by former legislator and chairman of the Pakistan Hindu Council, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, for the recent exodus of the Hindu community to India, reported in the media.

Pak Hindu Council to move UN against forced conversion of girls' religion THE TIME OF INDIA (August 21 2012)

AMRITSAR: Forcible conversion of Hindu girls into Muslim, illegal occupation of places of worship of Hindu's, misuse of blasphemy law are some of the reasons which has filled the Hindu community of Pakistan with discontentment forcing many of them to leave their country and settle in India.

Patron, Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) , Ramesh Kumar Vankwani told TOI on Tuesday that the current spell of taking away Hindu girls and forcing them to embrace Islam had given a fatal blow to the Hindu's honour and dignity .

"Despite all type of excesses, Hindu's had been staying in Pakistan but forcible conversion was unbearable and a law should be enacted to thwart this menace" he said.

There was discontentment among Hindus due to forcible occupation of their temples too.

"The occupation of our temples by individuals and groups has shattered our inner feelings" he said.

Giving example he said that Krishan Dwara attached with the Samadhi of Sri Param Hans Maharaj at Teri in district Karak which was an Evacuee Trust Property , was under forcible occupation.

"These issues can be resolved to win the confidence of Hindu minority community of Pakistan" he said.

While seeking amendments in blasphemy law, Vankwani said "several tragedies have taken place due to misuse of blasphemy law with personal ulterior motives".

He said to avoid chances of misuse of blasphemy law Hindu community had suggested that if allegations leveled were not proved then the person who had accused should be meted out with the same punishment which the accused would have borne. Besides he said PHC had demanded that the same law should be extended to holy personalities, scriptures of other religions and faiths.

PHC has also blamed on Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB), entrusted with the task of looking after and management of properties evacuated by minorities during 1947 Indo Pak partition.

He said the religious properties of ETPB were being illegally occupied and its custodians were sitting pretty and doing nothing.

"This is a chronic issue which need to be resolved on priority" he said. He said that government should introduce Hindu religious teaching in schools "Hindu religious teaching should immediately begin in schools having 10 or more Hindu students" he said . He also blamed on Hindu political leadership of ignoring their issues.

"Political parties nominate Hindu leaders who are rich and enjoy influence, these people never take up community's issues" he said adding that minorities must be given right to elect their representatives themselves.

Karachi

In a country where the rights of the minorities are apparently protected by the constitution, more than 1000 Hindu families are annually converted to Islam annually by one man alone.

The man, Pir Ayub Jan Sirhindi, is an influential Muslim spiritual leader from Samaro. He claims that there not a single one of these conversions were forced. “They embrace Islam of their own volition,” he told The News during a telephonic interview.

“I personally lead the conversion ceremonies in my Khanka and I can assure you there is not a single case of forced conversion,” he insisted. Sirhini claims to be the direct descendant and Sajjada Nasheen of Shaykh Ahmad al-Faruqi al-Sirhindi, better known as Mujaddid Alf Sani.

Though forced conversion is a phenomenon that the Sindh’s Hindu community has allegedly been facing for years, the issue recently resurfaced in the media when the Hindu Panchayat of Jacobabad broke the news that 250 Pakistani Hindus who were going to India for pilgrimage were purportedly migrating from Pakistan for good. The matter was taken as an opportunity by mainstream Indian media to criticise Pakistan for it’s poor treatment of minorities, with some of the major Indian publications carrying opinion columns on the topic.

One Indian commentator, B. Raman, citing the Liaquat-Nehru pact of 1950, wrote in the magazine Outlook India: “The government of India’s interest and responsibility for ensuring the welfare of the Sindhi Hindus arises from the fact that they are Hindus.”

He concluded that the Indian government should take up the matter with Pakistan and see if the need has arisen to “examine whether the Nehru-Liaquat Ali Pact needs updating.”

But Sirhindi finds the brouhaha about forced conversions baseless; he believes that if Hindu families are in fact leaving Sindh, it’s for an entirely a different set of reasons. “It’s vicious propaganda by the feudal lords in the region who extort money from the Hindu community here and abuse their women on a routine basis. The Hindus are leaving because of the threat to their lives from the feudal lords”

According to a census conducted in the year 2005 by Pakistan Hindu Council, 94% of Pakistan’s Hindus live in the province of Sindh, with Thar being the district with the largest Hindu population. The council claimed that 80% of businesses in the district of Jacobadabad are controlled by the Hindu community, which comprises 30% of the total district’s total population.

“We have been living in Sindh for thousands of years,” said Dr. Ramesh Kumar, a patron of the Pakistan Hindu Council, “Leaving this Dharti (land) is not an easy decision, but if our honour is at stake, we really don’t have an option.”

The Hindu community has always claimed that some influential Muslim leaders in Sindh are spearheading a campaign of forced conversion, thereby killing the spirit of religious pluralism that has always been the hallmark of Sindhi culture.

Dispelling the idea of mass Hindu migration to India, independent social activists say that the news of migration has been ‘overplayed’ by some minority leaders to highlight the seriousness of the injustices being done to the community by certain radical groups.

“Nobody is really leaving this country, there might be cases of some families, who are leaving in search of better economic prospects, which anybody would do if given the opportunity,” said Amarnath Motumal , a lawyer and representative of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).

Motumal claimed that the deteriorating law and order situation in the province has taken all the communities in the region on its grip. “It’s not only the Hindus who are being kidnapped, but Muslims and whoever else has money,” he said.

However, the lawyer maintained that the issue of forced conversion has made the lives of Hindus in Sindh intolerable. “The law enforcement agencies and the judiciary have disappointed the Hindu community. They don’t have anywhere to go, and the only way forward is to keep the voice of injustice alive, and they are doing it.”

Hailing President Asif Ali Zardari’s recent statement in which he directed the chief minister Sindh to devise a law against forced conversion, Motumal said that that he trusts the government. “Historically, the PPP has always been considerate with the minorities and this time too, the Hindus of Pakistan are looking towards the government to solve the issue.”

But devising a law against forced conversion won’t be easy for the government, as Muslim religious groups in the area have vowed to resist any such legislation.

Sirhindi warned that if the government introduces a law banning what he calls ‘conversion’ as opposed to forced conversion, then it will be a negation of a basic Islamic practice of Da’waah (calling non-Muslims to faith ), something that the people of Sindh would not allow.

“If the government, in anyway, dares to introduce the so called forced conversion law, I tell you the lawmakers wont be able to enter there constituencies here in Sindh.”

Sirhindi squarely blamed the feudal lords and the nationalists for the Hindu’s woes, saying that the former regularly extort money from the latter through contacts in the corridors of power. “It’s the feudal lords and the ‘comrades’ (nationalists) who take money from the affluent Hindus. You won’t find a single maulvi involved in such criminal cases. As far as conversion of non-Muslims is concerned, that’s our religious duty which we will continue to pursue peacefully we have always done,” he said.

People gather outside the locked house of a Christian girl who was arrested in the suburbs of Islamabad, Aug. 20, 2012

SLAMABAD — Authorities in Pakistan have come under growing criticism for being unable to protect the rights of religious minorities. Most of Pakistan's 180 million people are Sunni Muslim. Christians complain they are unfair targets of the country’s blasphemy laws that carry death penalty for anyone found guilty of defaming Islam, and the minority Hindu community says its members are migrating to India to avoid forced conversions.

The imprisonment in Pakistan this month of a young Christian girl accused of violating the country’s blasphemy laws is being cited as one of the latest incidents of growing intolerance toward religious minorities.

The incident occurred just outside Islamabad but details remain sketchy. The detained girl, Rimsha Masih, is said to be 11 years old and mentally handicapped.

Police arrested Rimsha after scores of angry Muslims gathered outside her house and accused her of burning pages inscribed with verses from the Quran.

The chairperson of the independent Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Zohra Yousuf, condemns the blasphemy charge against the Christian girl as "preposterous" and “beyond comprehension.”

Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, head of Pakistan Hindu Council, says that because of security reasons around 50 Hindu families are migrating to India every month.

Pakistani authorities say they are looking into the complaints of the Hindu minority and admit there is a need for legislation.

But critics are skeptical of the government's ability to amend the blasphemy laws, especially at a time when the country is preparing for new elections.

VIBE TV August 11, 2012 Interview Dr. Ramesh Kumar Patron Pakistan Hindu Council

ARY NEWS Platform Friday 10th August 2012 Hindu pilgrims allowed to cross bordes

Najam sethi on force conversion of Hindu girls in pakistan

THIS PAGE IS PROTEST ,against injustice with hindus in pakistan., kidnapping, forcefully conversion of religion, child kidnappings, murders ,torcher, extrotion are normal things which happens with hindus in pakistan..

Rinkle’s Family Migrates to India along with 400 Hindus of Ghotki
Rinkle’s Family threatened through their maids “ Keep Quite or be prepared to get humiliated in full public glare”
We have no Option but to leave. It is dangerous for us to live in Sindh : Rinkle relatives tols Awami Awaz (sobbing )
As the Zardari committee busy ,meeting Hindus more migrate Sindh for ever
Hindus are migrating because of Forced Conversation. Don’t Expect any Justice from PPP: Minority Hindu Leader in Sindh
Protest in Sindh by Bhil Committee against migration of Hindus of Sindh
PPP Should sack Mityan Mithoo we are prepared to help : Rinkle Uncle raj Kumar
Sindhi Hindus being reduced to Second class citizen. Their daughters being kidnapped : Ali Chandio
“If Hindu Migration is Propaganda than why Mr. Zardari is sending team to Sindh?” : Awami Tehreek Leader Ayaz Latif Palejo
Sindhi Social Media Protest against the migration of Hindus of Sindh
PPP Govt. is responsible for Hindu Migration : Jeye Sindh Quomi Mahaz
If Hindus migrate Sindhis will loose majority in Sindh : Sindh National Movement
We are being hunted for Protesting against forced conversation , Bhatta Khori, illegal occupied properties : Abducted Manisha’s Father Babu Mal
If Manisha is not returned I too have to migrate to India : Manisha’s Father Babumal
I am the follower of Bhagat Kanwar Ram, Hindu Girld are like my doughter : Maulana Bukhs Chandio & Jangiz Jamali Member of Presidential Team visiting Hindus of Sindh
Make law to safe guard Hindus : Sindh Sujag Tehrek
Hindus are happier then Muslims. Hindus are defaming Pakistan : Jamat e Islami (Sindh)

A 14 year old maneesha of Jacobbad, left her home and accepted Islam. She belongs to Jacobabad District, Sindh Province, in Pakistan. It was Rinkle, Asha and Lata last time now it is Maneesha. And the list may go on and on. These are the love marriages therefore Hindus should not get bothered about it. But what if in a same way, a Muslim girl marries a Hindu guy? For that a Hindu guy should convert to Muslim. Therefore, love marriages are only encouraged if a Hindu girl converts to Muslim, there is no other way around. This is the law which every Hindu should follow. Otherwise they have no option left except migrating to any other country.

Mr. Rehman Malik, interior minister of government of Pakistan stopped Hindus who were migrating from Pakistan to India, stating that it is a conspiracy against the PPP government. He assured Hindus of their safety. Muslims also have issues of kidnapping for ransom, law and order etc, he stated while talking in TV Program.

Most of the literate people of Pakistan say it is the conspiracy against the whole nation not just for Hindus. Pakistan, as a nation, have been suffering from plenty of issues since its independence. Violence is prevailing in the society not only because of religion but on the basis of language. The condition of Baluchistan is one of an example.

How long the government would be passing statements of assurance to the public? Even if these are the problems which relate to the whole Pakistan, what sort of steps have been taken to solve these issues and what are the results after taking the actions?

We Hindus belong to Pakistan, this is our motherland. We will never do violence and disturb the law and order of our beloved motherland. We don’t need your assurance. We need your actions. If you cannot provide us safety, let all of us go to leave our motherland forever.

Pakistan Hindu Council criticises minority legislators of being unaware of ground realities

Political leaders representing the Hindu community in the country are clueless about the day-to-day realities of the people of their constituencies, says Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, Patron of Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC).

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday, the PHC leader dispelled the government’s stance on the much hyped-up issue of mass Hindu migration to India, lamenting that the minority leaders belonging to Pakistan People’s Party were downplaying the seriousness of the law and order situation in various cities of interior Sindh for the sake of “political correctness” and were hiding the true picture from the people.

He claimed that at least 20-25 families from Sindh have been leaving Pakistan for the neighbouring country on weekly basis. “The problem is that we don’t have a genuine representation in the parliament, although there are MNAs and MPAs from our community but none of them are doing anything about the pressing issues faced by our people,” he said.

Vankwani was of the opinion that the structure of minority representation in the parliament was inherently flawed and should be reviewed because those who manage to grab the tickets for contesting the elections on minority seats usually happen to be mighty and powerful and did not belong to the mainstream Hindu community.

“The minority nominees in the country are usually the rich and powerful, who are well-connected, and not those who have lived and worked among the people, so the process of election right from nominating a candidate within the party should be established and it should not be based on selection, which is the way it is now,” he said.

Citing forced conversion as the topmost crime being faced by the Hindus in Sindh, Vakhwani said that if a daughter of a conservative family stays out of the house for a night, anybody could imagine what the family had to go through. “Girls aged 14-15 vanish for a few weeks and emerge as Muslims; I ask how a girl who is still a minor can take such a big decision of changing their faith when they are not even allowed to vote,” he said.

Speaking about kidnapping for ransom, President PHC Jethanand Kohistani said that a total of 11 Hindu traders were missing from various areas of Sindh, while the law enforcement agencies were not doing anything in this regard. “When a Muslim is kidnapped, he is somehow recovered without paying any ransom, but when it comes to us, the only way we can get free is by paying hefty sum of amount to the criminals,” he said.

He appealed to the government to step up security measures for the Hindu community and recover the missing people as soon as possible.

The PHC leaders also urged upon President Asif Ali Zardari to lend them some time so they could meet him and explain to him the various issues they have been facing in the province.

Pakistan Hindu Council Patron Ramesh Kumar Speaks to media about Abduction and forceful religion conversion.

There is a huge number of cases of abduction and forced into a Muslim marriage. Incidents of kidnapping, forced marriages and conversions of religious minorities have increased: the girls belonging to minority religion are forcefully converted to Islam and married to Muslim men. The increase in the number of reports of Hindu girls being kidnapped or made to convert to Islam has sparked concern from the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). During the last 64 years the situation of religious minorities in Pakistan like the general conditions in various fields has remained a matter of serious concern and the Islamic state has not taken steps which could improve the status of minorities and protect their beliefs and life.

In February in a similar incident, Rinkle Kumari was abducted in Mirpur Mathelo, a small town in interior Sindh.
The relatives of the Rinkle alleged that a Member of the National Assembly, Abdul Haq alias Mian Mitthu, was backing the kidnappers and had pressurised the local magistrate to get a decision in their favour, ignoring the written testimony of the kidnapped girl. They also said they had taken refuge in a gurdwara in Lahore after receiving threats from the kidnappers and influential Muslims of the area.

HYDERABAD: Large numbers of Pakistani Hindus, Civil Society activists, peasants, and labourers took out rally under the banner of Human rights Commission of Pakistan, Sindh task force on Friday from Hyder Chowk to Hyderabad Press Club against the violation of human rights in Sindh

ISLAMABAD (INP): Federal Minister for Interior, Senator A. Rehman Malik Saturday directed DG FIA to assist the Committee recently constituted by the President of Pakistan to look into the issue of forced conversion and some complaints of Hindu community in Sindh. Chairing a high level meeting here Saturday which was attended by Secretary Interior, Additional Secretary Interior, DG FIA, Inspector General of Police Islamabad and other senior officers, the Interior Minister assured the Hindu Community that their rights shall be protected fully and will not allow anyone to over step the Constitution of Pakistan which provides full rights to minorities for practicing their religion.The Minister for Interior also directed DG FIA to look into few complaints whereby impression of forced marriages of teen age girls has been noticed. He asked DG FIA to compile the details of all such incidents and asked a report on each such incident where there is allegation of any forced marriage. The report of DG FIA on the forced marriages will be made public for public scrutiny.DG FIA submitted a fact finding report on the media reports whereby mass migration based on insecurity was publicized and accordingly, Interior Minister took a notice of them and asked the DG FIA to proceed with the matter for fact finding. According to the report of DG FIA, all the Hindu passengers volunteered their statements that they are going to India to visit their religious sites. It was noted with great concern that a channel initiated a story based on merely speculations which created hype. In this matter, DG FIA however feels that there are some agents who are indulging in such activities and pursuing Hindus elite for asylum. This aspect is also being investigated.The Interior Minister directed DG FIA to keep a watch on those who are spreading these rumors and if the agency spots any case where some kind of injustice has been done, that should be dealt severely. A Cell has been established in FIA whereby all the victims, if any may call to inform such incident.Earlier, Syed Mehdi Shah, Chief Minister, Gilgit Baltistan called on Federal Minister for Interior, Senator A. Rehman Malik in Islamabad. During the meeting, law and order situation of Gilgit Baltistan came under discussion. Aftab Shahban Mirani, MNA also called on Minister Interior and discussed problems of his constituency related to NADRA and Passports.

Our Hindus doctors have been murdered in the province of Sindh (southern Pakistan), in their clinic in Chak, a town near Shikarpur (in the North of Sindh). As reported to Fides by local sources, Dr. Ashok, Dr Naresh, Dr. Ajeet and Dr. Satia Paul were killed yesterday by armed assailants, while they were working in their clinic. The cold-blooded murder generated fear and protests among the Hindu religious minorities, but also among Christians. Police said they arrested two suspects, saying that the killings could be the basis of the dispute between some Hindus and the local Muslim Brotherhood "Bhaya Baradari", which took place a few weeks ago, concerning a Hindu girl forced to marry a Muslim. The Hindus are a substantial minority in the province of Sindh (about 2 million) and there are more than about 50,000 in Chak. "It is not the first time that members of our community have been targeted by extremists. And the police tend to support the criminals involved in such acts" complained Ramesh Kumar, president of the Pakistan Hindu Council, urging the government to "provide adequate protection to minorities". The Hindu Council of Pakistan appealed to President Asif Zardari, who just a few days ago, during the Hindu festival of Deewali, had reiterated his commitment to protect minorities and ensure their equal rights. Fr. Mario Rodrigues, Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in Pakistan, told Fides: "It is another episode that clearly shows how the lives of minorities is insecure and with no protection". Prof. Mobeen Shahid, Pakistani scholar and historian reminds Fides: "Religious minorities in Pakistan have always had a hard life and suffered mass persecution: let us remember sensational episodes in 1952 (in Moza matta), in 1962 (Anarkali, Lahore), in 1997 (in Shantinagar), in 2009 (in Gojra) as well as many other minor episodes. When a member of the minority, the Catholic A. R. Cornelius, became Judge of the Supreme Court, his new draft regarding the new Constitution was rejected because due to the fact that it was written by a non-Muslim citizen was unacceptable. Today it is clear that there is discrimination in education and society, and even those measures in favor of minorities (as a share of 5% of seats reserved in public administration) are not applied".

Karachi

The Hindu community leaders in Karachi are incensed at the insensitivity displayed towards their faith by a television channel that converted a Hindu boy to Islam on their Thursday’s live Iftar transmission.

“Embracing a new faith is a personal matter of an individual, but here this is being promoted as a piece of entertainment by the so-called independent electronic media,” said Pundit Vijay Maharaj, a Hindu priest. “Such irresponsible shows create differences between communities and nothing else.”

“I don’t know if Sunil (the converted boy) was paid to become a part of the drama as his employer Ansar Burney claims, but even if he had accepted Islam wholeheartedly, which may be the case, he helped the channel earn a lot of money with the stunt,” said Sunny Vakwani, a Karachi-based social media activist.

For Vakwani, the worst part of the show was the way the audience was brought into the foray to suggest names for the new convert. “Interestingly, the anchor’s name, Maya, is a Sanskrit word, so she should have first asked for a ‘Muslim name’ before beginning the auction for the new convert’s name,” he added.

Social activist Sanjesh Dhaneja urged the media to act more responsibly, especially after the recent issue of forced conversions. “The people in the media should act more responsibly, especially after the Hindu community in the country went through the recent controversy of forced conversion,” said Sanjesh Dhanja, a social activist, who runs I think responsible self-censorship is due in such matters, when as a media outlet, you claim to cater the whole country not a particular religion or ethnicity.”

The show was hosted by Maya Khan, a B-grade television anchor, whose claim to fame was a morning show she hosted earlier this year in which she conducted a “live raid” in a public park hounding dating couples and asking them for their ‘Nikanama’.

The notorious episode drew immense criticism in the social media, which eventually got her fired from her previous TV channel after she refused to apologise for hurting the feelings of many of her viewers.

But later, in a hyped-up television interview, she revealed in her defense, that the whole public park show was a set-up and the couples she seemingly stalked in the public park were paid actors, which raised an ever bigger question on the modus operandi of country’s electronic media vis-à-vis ethics and moral codes. But like every other issue in this country, Maya Khan’s controversy fizzled out after some time.

She was later hired by the TV channel she is working currently for. A member of the Hindu community, who refused to be named, said that despite her repulsive taste for television shows, that are proven to be devoid of any sort of ethical consideration, her current TV channel apparently gave her a carte blanche to select themes for her programs, and yet again she came up with this sickening idea of reducing a spiritual sojourn of faith into a cheap commodity for entertainment.

Some showered praise on the government’s swift reaction to placate the smouldering anger of the community while others gave vent to their feelings, as federal minister Maula Bux Chandio and Senator Hari Ram Kishori Lal called on the representatives of Hindu Panchayat and Young Hindu Association at the residence of social activist Zulfiqar Halepoto.
Many believed, however, that no long-term solutions will emerge from the exercise initiated on the directives of President Asif Ali Zardari to mollify the community’s ruffled feathers.
“If the government fails us this time we will join the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM),” warned Dr Chandi Ram Shahani, the district president of Hindu Panchayat. “The MQM’s stance over the minority rights is unequivocal and supportive.”
The enactment of the Hindu marriage act, separate electorate, steps to stop forced conversions, implementation of job quota, regulating the elections of panchayats and curbing crimes against minorities topped the complaints.
The federal minister noted that the sense of insecurity and deprivation is obvious in the Hindus. “The immediate legislation of laws and executive measures are indispensable to allay their woes,” he said. “In our interaction with the community in Jacobabad and Sukkur among other places, the matter of ‘honour’ [Hindu girls marrying Muslim men and converting to Islam] dominated other problems.”
The committee will present its recommendations to the president in a few days and expressed the hope of their implementation especially the ones pertaining to legislation.
Responding to the demand of resignations by minority legislators, Chandio acknowledged that the minority felt disconnected with their elected representatives, but stopped short of giving a word.
Citing figures from the Federal Investigation Agency, the minister refuted the claims of a Hindu exodus from the country. In 2011, 7,000 Hindu pilgrims went to India of whom 5,600 returned immediately while the others returned over a period of time, he said.
It came as a relief to the committee when the people at the meeting said that the Hindus in southern Sindh do not face the problems of crime and conversions as their community members do in Larkana and Sukkur divisions – who still have their own issues.
Meeting
A majority of the participants demanded separate electorates for the minorities. “Non-Muslim Pakistanis should be allowed to elect among themselves their representatives for the assemblies,” said Jay Ram Dhirani, the president of Young Hindu Panchayat.
A constitutional expert, Advocate Jhamat Mal, objected to the suggestion however. “This will be against the values of democracy,’’ he said. “The minorities will lose their right to vote in the general elections if they opt for a separate electorate. We should, on the contrary, struggle to get into the mainstream instead of ostracising ourselves [electorally].”
Mal advised the community to prepare coherent recommendations which safeguard their interests but at the same time assimilate them with the majority.
On the issue of conversion of Hindu girls, the community members criticised the process of sending the women to Darul Aman while the courts heard their cases. They proposed setting up shelter houses supervised by the minority for their interim accommodation.
The community also acknowledged their internecine differences, especially their divided panchayats, which are though registered under the Cooperative Society Act but do not hold regular elections.
“We have at least two or more panchayats in every district instead of one,” said Chandu Mal, a retired bureaucrat. He underscored the need to replace the panchayats with a council which annually holds elections from the centre to the district level. “The problem lies within us because we are represented by unelected representatives in the government as well as in our panchayats,” he believed.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2012.

Talat Hussain 27th March 2012 Hindu Women Disputed Conversion To Islam Goes On Hold Dr. Ramesh Lal

Amid attacks on Hindus in Pakistan’s Sindh province, hundreds of community members here have pledged their allegiance to the country. The pledge came at a mass wedding ceremony organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council on Saturday in this financial hub which was attended by hundreds of Hindus and Muslims.

The ceremony saw 80 couples exchange wedding vows in traditional Hindu rites as prominent social worker Sattar Edhi also gave his blessings to the couples.

“I think this ceremony is the best platform for us to make it clear that all Hindus living in this country are as patriotic and nationalistic as every other Pakistani of any religion. People should not question our allegiance to Pakistan,” said Mukesh Kumar, a senior official of the Pakistan Hindu Council.

The same sentiments were expressed by many other Hindus at the ceremony with Prem, one of the grooms, insisting they also wanted to see Pakistan prosper as a nation.

Hindu killing case: Victim’s brother files FIR, adds 4 names to list of suspects

SUKKUR: The brother of one of the Hindu doctors who was killed over Eid has come forward to register a case for the triple murder in a first such move from the victims’ side. It is significant because he has added four new names to the list, as these are the men who are believed to have actually fired the shots.

This is the second FIR to be registered in this case – the first one was filed by the police themselves. In a move to ostensibly correct the record, victim Naresh’s brother Suresh Kumar came forward late on Sunday night to lodge FIR No. 80/2011 against eleven Bhayo clansmen.

The new FIR adds the four new names of Qazi Ghulam Mohammad, Mohammad Iqbal, Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Ramzan but it also has the same names as the shorter police FIR: Moulvi Ehsanullah Bhayo, Mohammad Aslam Bhayo, Moulvi Naeem Bhayo, Ubaidullah Bhayo, Abdul Latif Bhayo, Abdul Ghani Bhayo and Abdul Rauf Bhayo.

The police had booked 11 men, seven by name and four as unidentified, for the ambush on Eid day in which three Hindus were gunned down in Sitampur Mohalla of Chak village in Shikarpur over a romance between a Hindu boy and Muslim girl.

The Hindu community was not happy with the original police FIR as they said that the state had acted in haste to give cover to the real culprits – the four men who Suresh has now named.

Some of the Hindu elders, who wished to remain anonymous given the death threats they have been receiving, told The Express Tribune that since day one they had told the police that Moulvi Ehsanullah Bhayo and the other six men who were arrested were innocent. But the police had refused to listen.

According to them, four other men, Qazi Ghulam Mohammad Bhayo, Mohammad Iqbal Bhayo, Mohammad Hussain Bhayo and Mohammad Ramzan Bhayo are involved.

Hindu elders including the president of the Hindu Panchayat in the village, Mukhi Prem Chand are being threatened. Premchand told The Express Tribune that he had been given a death threat and told to withdraw the case.

Meanwhile, there is no sign of Seema Bhayo, the girl at the centre of the triple murder, or Sandeep, the young man she was involved with.

Lakhi Ghulam Shah’s DSP Zahid Mirani told The Express Tribune that they are still hunting for the rest of the men named in the FIR. But they had no idea where Seema Bhayo was.

On Monday those seven men from the police FIR, were produced before the judge of Jacobabad’s anti-terrorism court. They are: Moulvi Ehsanullah Bhayo, Mohammad Aslam Bhayo, Moulvi Naeem Bhayo, Ubaidullah Bhayo, Abdul Latif Bhayo, Abdul Ghani Bhayo and Abdul Rauf Bhayo. Even though the police asked for more time to question them under remand, Judge Abdul Rasheed Soomro rejected the request and ordered for the men to be produced on November 17 after their first remand period of one week expires.

Hinglaj Yatra by Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) 2011,Pakistan

(Photo : Invitation Bannar of Pakistan Hindu Council for 2011 Hinglaj Yatra, Pakistan)

Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) organised Hindu couples mass wedding in Pakistan

Islamabad : 60 Hindu couples from poor families tied the knot at a mass wedding organised by an NGO in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi.

The couples sat in colourfully designed mandaps at the YMCA Lawn during the event organised yesterday by the Pakistan Hindu Council, which bore all expenses and provided the dowry for the brides.

Each couple was allowed to bring 20 guests and the bride was given jewellery, a bed set, quilts and blankets, a television, an iron, clothes and utensils, Pakistan Hindu Council president Ramesh Kumar Vankhwani said.

Some of the couples hailed from Karachi while others were from different parts of Sindh province, including Mirpurkhas, Tando Allah Yar, Thatta, Hyderabad, Jacobabad, Jamshoro and Ghotki.

The pandit gave instructions over the microphone and all couples followed in synchronicity.

The couples performed the seven rounds around the fire while rituals unique to each family were held inside their individual mandaps.

The Hindus from the Rathore community made the groom carry a dagger while taking the rounds.

Members of the community said this was a legacy of their kings and helped to ward off evil.

Dheeraj Kumar, the brother of a groom, said his brother was engaged for a year but the family did not have the money to arrange a wedding.

Groom Vijay and his bride Komal were very happy at the wedding.

"It's a different experience," Vijay said. Haresh and Dema found out about the wedding two days ago and had little time to prepare.

"I only bought my clothes a night before the wedding and had to get them stitched too," Dema said.

The couple said they would go to their village to perform other rituals with the rest of their families. Haresh's sister-in-law said the family was planning to spend Rs 80,000 on the wedding but managed to save nearly Rs 50,000.

Though arrangements were made for 4,000 guests, many more attended the event.

An elderly woman named Mamta could not hide her excitement.

"It may essentially be a cheap way to wed for the poor but it is also good that it brings together so many people of different sects together," she said

The List of the Couples who tie the knot in the combined Marriages Program arranged by Pakistan Hindu Council on 1st November 2008 at Swami Narain Temple M.A.Jinnah Road, Karachi Sindh

S.No	R.No	Full Name of Bride & Groom	City	Residential Address
01	02	Mr.Kailash s/o Preemji	KARACHI	House No:15,Kashmir Corner Jail Rd Karachi
		Miss Hansa Bai d/o Mr Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
02	03	Mr.Manhar s/o Mr. Vithal	KARACHI	Albella A-16,Doulat Arcade Patel Para Karachi
		Miss Rena Bai d/o Mr Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
03	04	Mr Valji s/o Devji	KARACHI	House No:43,Firdous Colony Gul Bahar Karachi
		Miss Sonia d/o Tulsi	KARACHI	Flat No;D-435Prince Avenue Lasbella Karachi
04	05	Mr. Raju s/o Babu	KARACHI	House No:580,Mushuruf Colony Hawke bay Karachi
		Miss Pamilla Bai d/o Preemji	KARACHI	H: No:22 Mukhi Choaith Ram Road Soldier Bazar Karachi
05	06	Mr.Rajesh s/o Baboo	KARACHI	H.E-16, P& T Colony Gizri Road Karachi
		Miss Jooti Bai d/o Gopal	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
06	07	Mr. Sajan s/o Baboo Faquira	KARACHI	H# B-273,Parsee Cemetery Empress Saddar Karachi
		Miss Poonam Bai d/o Gopal	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
07	08	Mr. Manoj s/o Chaman	KARACHI	H#32Meghji Bhagawanji Building Narainpura karachi
		Miss Sonam d/o Kanji	KARACHI	Kathiawar Harijan Community Centre lily Road Karachi
08	11	Mr Ravi s/o Gopal Naik	KARACHI	H# 25/2,Chandio Village Gizri Road Karachi.
		Miss Asha d/o Mr Harichand	KARACHI	Chandio Village Gizri Road Karachi.
09	12	Mr Bhamro s/o Jagmal	UMERKOT	Village :Syed Hussain Ali Shah Tal:Umerkot Sindh
		Miss Marrium d/o Kanji	SANGHER	Village Anwer Maree Distt: Sangher Sindh.
10	18	Mr Ameet Kumar s/o Preemji	KARACHI	Fiction Village P&T Colony Gizri Karachi.
		Miss Sunita d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18,K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
11	19	Mr Raj s/o Chaman	KARACHI	H # 22, Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Anita d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18,K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
12	20	Anil s/o Rao jee	KARACHI	H # 22 Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Shobha d/o Amarsi	KARACHI	H # 18, K.M.C.Depo Gizri Road, Karachi.
13	23	Mr Veerbhan s/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar.
		Miss Shamee d/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
14	24	Mr Chander s/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
		Miss Anita d/o	T.ALLAHYAR	Village Kheto Patel Taluka & District Tando Allahyar
15	21	Mr Haresh s/o Daaya	KARACHI	H # 7, Block-2, Badi Lane Narain Pura R. Lane Karachi.
		Miss Bai d/o Shanker Daaya	KARACHI	H # 18, Block-2, New Building Narainpura Karachi.
16	26	Mr Mahesh s/o Mr Manhar	KARACHI	H # Quqrter No:9 Meghji Bhagwanji Building Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi
		Miss Chanda d/o Govind	KARACHI	H # Quqrter No:10 Meghji Bhagwanji Building NarainpuraRanchore Lane Karachi
17	27	Mr Heera s/o Devji	KARACHI	H # 28, Block-10, Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
		Miss Nomita d/o Jivraj	KARACHI	Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg:Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.

The List of the Couples who tie the knot in the combined Marriages Program arranged by Pakistan Hindu Council on 8TH November 2009 at Y.M.C.A.Ground Starchen Road, Karachi Sindh

S.No	R.No	Full Name of Bride & Groom	City	Residential Address
01	01-A	Miss. Chanda d/o Mr Neelo	Vill: Kheto Patel	Village Kheto Patel Distt: Tando Allahyar Sindh.
	01-B	Mr.Faqueero s/o Kalio	Vill: Kheto Patel	Village Kheto Patel Distt: Tando Allahyar Sindh.
02	03-A	Miss. Madhoo Bai d/o Preemji	Karachi	House # 23,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	03-B	Mr. Deepak Kumar s/o Poonam	Karachi	House # 22,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
03	04-A	Miss. Anita d/o Bhika	Karachi	H # 2/20,Narainpura Ranchore lane Karachi
	04-B	Mr.Shuneel s/o Mr.Kantilal	Karachi	Quarter# 5, Narainpura Ranchore lane Karachi.
04	5-A	Miss. Hema Bai d/o Baboo	Karachi	H # 24, Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg: Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	05-B	Mr.Danesh Kumar s/o Chaman	Karachi	H# RC-4/445, Allahdita Street, Nairainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
05	06-A	Miss.Rekha Bai d/o Baboo	Karachi	H # 24, Meghji Bhagwanji Bldg: Narainpura Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	06-B	Mr.Mukesh Kumar s/o Ramesh Kumar	Karachi	Masroor Colony near police station Hawakesbay Road Maripur Karachi.
06	07-A	Miss Lata d/o Jado	Karachi	H # 4/3, Street # 16-A Hangoorabad Rd Kalri Khi..
	07-B	Mr. BabooLal s/o Nanji	Karachi	H # 4, Queen’s Road Lalazar New Haji Camp Sultanabad Karachi.
07	08-A	Miss. Meena d/o Amarsi	Karachi	KMC Quarter # 7,Raja Mension Thana Near Civil Hospital Karachi.
	08-B	Mr. Rajesh s/o Mr Dhana	Karachi	KMC,Quarter Fire Brigade Office S.I.T.E.Karachi
08	09-A	Miss.Tara d/o Hatoo	Karachi	H # 8, K.M.C.Quarter Stadium Road cam Bella Slaughter House Karachi.
	09-B	Mr.Kanti s/o Laljee	Karachi	House # H-13, C.T.O.Compound Telegraph Office I.I.Chundrigar Road Karachi.
09	11-A	Miss.Chanda d/o Parshotumdas	Karachi	House # 25, Block-2, K.M.C.Compound # 16, Gizri Road Frere Town Clifton Karachi.
	11-B	Mr. Rajan s/o Mr.Govind	Karachi	House # 14, K.M.C.Quarter Clifton Bridge Clifton Karachi.
10	12-A	Miss. Rani d/o Bhaloo Kara	Karachi	House # 3104, Faiz Mohd: Silawat Para Hiraabad Hyderabad Sindh.
	12-B	Mr. Kishore s/o Ramesh Devji	Karachi	House # 17, Depot Line near Jahangir Park Saddar Karachi.
11	13-A	Miss. Jethy d/o Laljee	Karachi	Haji Yar Mohammad Building MOU JEE Street Gazddarabad Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	13-B	Mr. Govind s/o Premjee	Karachi	House # 2 MOU JEE street Ranchore Line Karachi.
12	14-A	Miss Gavri d/o Soomji	Murad.A.Pahod	Vill: Murad Ali Pahod P.O.Hangorno Tal:Sangher
	14-B	Mr. Bheroomal s/o Mr. Ranio	M.Hasan Kaloi	Vill: Mir Hasan Kaloi P.O.Soofiabad TaL;Degree District Mirpurkhas.
13	15-A	Miss.Keshoo d/o Veenjo	Q.Faiz M.Rajar	Vill:Qazi Faiz Mohd:Rajar Khipro Distt:Sangher.
	15-B	Mr.Dileep Kumar s/o Geno	Kathoro	Vill:Kathoro.P.O.Khahi Tal:Khipro Distt:Sangher.
14	16-A	Miss. Anjnee d/o Sajan	Phoolvero	Vill:Phoolvero Tal:NangarparkerDistt:Tharparker
	16-B	Mr.Naresh Kumar s/o Geno	Kathoro	Vill:Kathoro.P.O.Khahi Tal:Khipro Distt:Sangher.
15	17-A	Miss.Sunita d/o Chanda	Karachi	House # 4,Jat Line 100/Quarter Jamsheed Town Bolck-5,Karachi East.
	17-B	Mr. Ramesh s/o Nathu	Karachi	House # 9,Depot Line 11,Ranchore Line Karachi…
16	18-A	Miss.Jamna d/o Maano	Bukera Shareef	Vill :Bukera Shareef Bakrani Distt :Tando Allhyar
	18-B	Mr.Heera Lal s/o Khanoo	Vill:PiyaroLund	Vill:Piayaro Lund Tal:& Distt:Tando Allahyar…..
17	19-A	Miss.Manika d/o Maano	Bukera Shareef	Vill :Bukera Shareef Bakrani Distt :Tando Allhyar
	19-B	Mr.Manglo s/o Bhamro	Vill:Khohi Mori	Village:Khohi Mori Tal:& Distt:Mirpurkhas Sindh
18	20-A	Miss.Bhagwatti d/o Mr.Pehlaj	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
	20-B	Mr.Sukhio s/o Bhagoo	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
19	21-A	Miss.piayari d/o Nanik	Zakri Jalalani	Village Pir Zakri Jalalani P.O.Sakrand Distt:Nawabshah.
	21-B	Mr.Preem s/o Pehlaj	Qazi Ahmed	Sardar Colony Qazi Ahmed Tal:Doulatpur Distt:Nawabshah.
20	22-A	Miss.Anita d/o Mr.Faqueera	Karachi	House # 3,Gali NO:1,K.M.C.Compound Mukhi Choaithram Road,Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	22-B	Mr.Kanti s/o Amrat	Karachi	House # 11,Servant Quarter Naval Colony Karachi
21	23-A	Miss.Lachmi d/o Laljee	Karachi	House # 4/278,MOU JEE Street,Ranchore Lane Karachi.
	23-B	Mr.Mukesh s/o (Late)Mr Rama	Karachi	House # 4/32,Reti Line Ranchore Lane Karachi…..
22	31-A	Miss.Rajnee d/o (Late)Narain	Karachi	Juna Mohilla Gali No:1Hangorabad Lyari Karachi
	31-B	Mr.Sunny s/o Late Mr.Vinod	Karachi	Ahmed Shah Bukhari Road PhoolPatti Lane Kalri Lyari Karachi.
23	32-A	Miss Deepa Bai d/o Shamjee	Karachi	House # 18,PN.T.Housing Society Nasir Colony, Korangi Karachi.
	32-B	Mr.Sham Magan s/o Late Vasanti	Karachi	House # 101, Raja Mension Civil Hospital Karachi..
24	33-A	Miss.Komal d/o Sahjee Aaljee	Karachi	House # 18,PN.T.Housing Society Nasir Colony, Korangi Karachi.
	33-B	Mr.Shanti Lal s/o Mr.Sana	Karachi	House # 0449, KESC, Mohilla Mohd:Ali Store Tekri Village Maripur Karachi.
25	34-A	Miss.Sunita d/o Mr .Kalyanjee	Karachi	House # 02,Kharadar Police Station Karachi South
	34-B	Mr.Suneel Kumar s/o Chunoomal	Karachi	Doud Bldg:Miran Naka Fire Brigade Gali Karachi.
26	35-A	Miss Rena Bai d/o Lovejee	Karachi	House # 11, KMC Quarter Ram swami Tower Gazdarabad, Karachi.
	35-B	Mr.Manoj s/o widow Rami Bai	Karachi	Quarter # 01, Police Hospital Servant Quarter Mesa Mile Road, Jubilee Cinema Karachi.
27	36-A	Miss. Somal d/o Lovejee	Karachi	House # 11, KMC Quarter Ram swami Tower Gazdarabad, Karachi.
	36-B	Mr. Manoj s/o Late Mr.Nathu	Karachi	House No: 202, Swami Narain Temple M.A.Jinnah Road, Karachi.
28	37-A	Miss.Vijanti d/o Late Vessaram	Karachi	KMC, Compound Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
	37-B	Mr.Natwer Lal s/o LateMr.Baboo	Karachi	House #A 10,Mukhi Choaithram Road,Soldier Bazaar Karachi.
29	38-A	Miss. Sonam d/o Hiralal	Karachi	House # 07, Street # 5, Kala Kot Quarters Degree College Layari Karachi.
	38-B	Mr. Anil s/o Preemjee	Karachi	House # 07, Street # 5, Kala Kot Quarters Degree College Layari Karachi.
30	44-A	Miss. Aarti d/o Ramesh	Karachi	Servant Quarter Jamsheed Road No: 3, Karachi.
	44-B	Mr. Narash s/o Mr.Natha	Karachi	House # 113, Allah wale Mosque PWD, Sadder Karachi.
31	45-A	Miss. Muskan d/o Preem Jee	Karachi	House # 11,Fahter Colony Greeks Maripur Karachi.
	45-B	Mr. Manoj Kumar s/o Shanker	Karachi	House # A-699, Father Colony Greeks Maripur Karachi.

DADI JANKI KIRPLANI

Dadi Janki is a visionary whose uniqueness lies in her unswerving optimism and a heart that is rich with compassion. She is a soul who refuses to set limits and boundaries as to what is achievable and, in so doing, inspires others to believe that they too can make the impossible, possible. As a spiritual leader, she pioneered the integration of healthy emotional, spiritual and social development within education.

She travels worldwide, teaching and sharing her wisdom and deep knowledge of the science of spirituality. Driven by her vision of a better world, Dadi Janki has dedicated her life to the upliftment of humanity. She campaigns for truth and works tirelessly for world peace. She is a woman of wisdom - a woman who in her life, through understanding spiritual truths, has come to a position of personal peace and power.

Dadi Janki, being companion of God, sees only the goodness of each human being, awakening people to fulfill their highest potential. Dadi has pioneered, exemplified and shared with countless numbers of people a structured and disciplined method of spiritual development that has had a profound impact on the lives of millions across the world.

With an unrelenting search for honesty and cleanliness in her relationship with God as the cornerstone of her life of service, so that her being as well as words should reveal the Divine, Dadi Janki developed an inspiring vision of the unique potential of every human being. This has enabled her to become a highly effective spiritual entrepreneur.

Dadi Janki was born in 1916 in Hyderabad Sindh, in a very traditional community. However, by her early 20s she had disregarded the constraints of social conventions including the caste system, and became one of the few active women spiritual leaders.

Under her guidance and inspiration centers of the institution now has branches in over 130 countries world-wide. Throughout her many years of work, Dadi has provided guidance and support for many, counseling them in a variety of areas, including emotional and psychological problems, family relationships and substance abuse. She works for an integral approach of education to include healthy emotional, spiritual, creative and social development.

Dadi was described as the “Most Stable Mind in the World” as her mental state remained completely undisturbed whilst under tests conducted by the Medical and Science Research Institute at the University of Texas, USA in 1978.

At Habitat II, the United Nations Conference on Human Settlements, Dadi addressed world governments about the crucial need for people-centered development and the pivotal role of human and spiritual values in survival.

Dadi is one of the ‘Keepers of Wisdom’, an eminent group of spiritual and religious leaders, convened at the United Nations Earth Summit in Rio and at Habitat II in Istanbul, to advice on the fundamental spiritual dilemmas which underpin current worldwide issues of the environment and human settlement.

In 1997, the ‘Janki Foundation for Global Health Care’ was established and launched in her honour in London. Through this, Dadi has sought to encourage many others in what has been a passion since her childhood, to care for and nurse the sick, aiding not just the healing of the body but also the healing of the soul.

Together with Archbishop Desmond Tutu, HH the Dalai Lama and Prince Hassan of Jordan, Dadi is an international Patron of Rights and Humanity, an organization promoting respect for human rights as a foundation for global economic and social justice and human development. Dadi is also a Global Council Member of the International Museum of Women.

Dadi has promoted inter-religious understanding and co-operation throughout her life. She is a Patron of the World Congress of Faiths and a member of The World Council of Religious Leaders and The Global Peace Initiative of Women.

In 2004 His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan awarded Dadi Janki, “the Grand Cordon” of the first order of Al Istiklal (Jordan’s highest civil award) in recognition of her humanitarian service to the world.
In 2005 The Peace Abbey presented Dadi Janki with the 2005 Courage of Conscience Award for a lifetime dedicated to the service of humanity.
Dadi Janki’s published books include Companion of God, Wings of Soul, and Pearls of Wisdom.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar
Patron Pakistan Hindu Council
Ex. MPA Sindh

41 Hindu couples tie knot in Pakistan

Pakistan Hindu Council has organised a mass wedding, where more than 40 Hindu couples have got married in traditional way.

Council patron Ramesh Kumar told The News: "This is second mass wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 coupleswere married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples."

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: "I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year."

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

"I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives," she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women's wing of the council, said the cost for each couple's wedding was approximately Rs.70,000.

Sharma said: "We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government."

Source: http://www.mynews.in

41 Hindu couples tie the knot
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
By Rabia Ali

While Pooja and Deepak nervously held each other’s hands, and slowly took the wedding ‘Pheras’ at the YMCA Lawns, 41 other couples also performed the ritual at their respective Mandaps, in the biggest Hindu mass wedding in the city.

The event, where poor Hindu couples were married for free, was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council. The enormous lush green YMCA lawn was transformed into a group of Mandaps for the couples; each Mandap was decorated with garlands and draped in purple and yellow. Inside, sat the brides dressed in red Saris, and the grooms in golden Sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords.

Ach couple was allowed 10 guests, who accompanied them inside the Mandap. In front of the couples sat tables full of things for the wedding Pooja, including a coconut mounted on the Kalash, Jal, flowers, rice, almonds, Supari, incense sticks, earthen pots, and fire logs.

“This is second mass-wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples,” Pakistan Hindu Council Patron Ramesh Kumar told The News. “DIG Ghulam Nabi Memon helped the council in providing security for the wedding.”

Kumar also said that this time that couples from Interior Sindh were also selected for the ceremony.

In one of the Mandaps, a groom, Mukesh Kumar, a resident of Ranchore Line, was extremely delighted by the arrangements and said that the Moorat was a blessed one for all the couples. His face radiated with happiness, and he excitedly said, “I had decided a long time ago, that I would get married under a blessed Moorat, which comes only once a year.” His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass-wedding was a good way to disperse all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family. “I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives,” she said.

Some 5,000 guests were seated between the Mandaps. Meanwhile, two Maharajs, Jay Kumar and Ravi Mahraj, seated on the centre stage recited verses and guided the couples, their families and the volunteers present in each Mandap.

The one-and-a-half-hour ceremony started with the recitals, along with praises to the Hindu Gods, followed by the Varun Pooja and Ganesh Pooja. At the end, much to the audience’s surprise, the Mahraj called for only four Pheras. “There are only four pheras in the Hindu religion and not seven. People mistake the seven Wachans, meaning seven vows for the Pheras,” he said.

The event was attended by the former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas, Advisor to Chief Minister Sharmila Farooqi, and other notable personalities, including Mirza Ikhtiar Baig and Jahangeer Siddiqi. The guests gave away shawls and copies of the Gita, along with other presents, to the couples and wished them good luck.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the Women’s Wing of the Pakistan Hindu Council told The News that all expenses for the event were borne by the council; the cost of each couple’s wedding was approximately Rs70,000. “We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was asked from the government,” Sharma said.

A newly-married couple, Lakhshmi and Kishore, who had come from all the way from Thatta said that this was an extremely happy moment for them. ‘We had been in love for a long time, and now our dream has come true, because we have celebrated our happiness with so many other couples,’ they said.

Source: http://www.thenews.com.pk

41 Hindu couples tie the knot in Pakistan

Karachi, Nov 10 - Over 40 Hindu couples have got married at a mass wedding here. The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council.

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: "I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year."

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

"I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives," she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women's wing of the council, said the cost for each couple's wedding was approximately Rs. 70,000.

Sharma said: "We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government." (IANS)

Source: http://www.topnews.in

Pakistan’s 42 Hindu couples tie the knot

After the success of the first Hindu mass wedding in Karachi last year, 42 couples came together from different parts of Sindh to tie the knot this year. While most of them belonged to Karachi, couples came from as far as Nawabshah, Daharki, Dighri, Thatta, and Hyderabad among other districts of Sindh. The event was organised by Pakistan Hindu Council at the YMCA ground on Sunday evening and all the expenses were borne by the council members to help the less privileged members of their community. (Text: Aroosa Masroor Photos: Tahir Jamal/ White Star)
Twenty-two year old Prem Kumar and his 18-year old wife, Pyari, who was also his cousin, came from Qazi Aman in Nawabshah along with three other couples from their family.

‘We read about the mass wedding in a local paper in Nawabshah. There were quite a few couples in our family who had been engaged so we thought of bringing them all here as it would reduce our expenses to a great extent,’ said the groom’s uncle, Puran Das.

Since the bride and groom’s family were instructed to invite only 10 guests each, Das said by registering four couples they were able to bring 80 of their close relatives with them to Karachi.

A wedding in Nawabshah would have normally cost them over Rs100,000, but purchasing bus tickets for the entire baraat only cost them Rs20, 000.

Apart from the bride and groom’s clothes, the families did not have to spend a single paisa on anything.

From the wedding meal to the bride’s jewellery and dowry, the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) made all the arrangements. ‘We're giving them a bedroom set, television, some kitchen utensils, washing machine and jewellery. Gold is quite expensive these days, so we have bought silver jewellery for all the brides instead,’ disclosed former MPA Dr Ramesh Kumar and patron PHC.

There were 44 mandaps arranged on either side of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) lawn, while the guests – approximately 2,000 in number – were seated in the center. Two couples, however, could not make it to the wedding.

The pundit (priest) spoke through a microphone and the bride and groom followed his instructions with the help of volunteers from the community. Over 30 volunteers were present to assist the families.

Some grooms were also made to hold a sword before the four rounds or pheras began, which is merely symbolic. ‘In the Meghwar community, the groom is considered no less than a prince,’ informed Bhagwati.

Another groom, Mukesh Kumar, who belonged to Karachi, was here to avoid family feuds. ‘We belong to the Meghwar community and are expected to invited all our community members,’ Mukesh’s sister, Bhagwati, told Dawn.com.

‘But my brother is a driver by profession and earns only Rs5, 000 a month. We couldn’t afford a lavish wedding so decided to register here. Only close relatives were invited. This way we won’t have to listen to everyone’s complaints.’

The mass wedding also provided an opportunity for various communities to interact and look for prospective brides and grooms.

‘I am here to look for a girl for my brother,’ said one.

Among the communities present were Gujrati, Marwari, Meghwar, Kohli and Lalwani, who are mostly less privileged among the Hindus in Pakistan.

Tight security arrangements were made at the lawn entrance and all the guests – especially those from outside Karachi – were thoroughly checked by security officials.

‘We were asked to be seated by 5:00pm and the wedding started at 8:00pm! Such events are tiring especially for guests who travel hundreds of kilometres only not to offend the host,’ said one guest, Ajini.

Some politicians including Mirza Ikhtiar Baig of the PPP and Advisor to CM Sindh Sharmila Farooqi were also present to bless the couples on the occasion.

Source: http://www.dawn.com

41 Hindu couples tie the knot in Pakistan
Karachi, Nov 10 (IANS) Over 40 Hindu couples have got married at a mass wedding here. The event was organised by the Pakistan Hindu Council.
Council patron Ramesh Kumar told The News: “This is second mass wedding that we have organised. Last year, 20 couples were married at the Swami Narayan Temple. This year, we were told not to have more than 44 couples.”

The 41 couples were married for free at the flower decorated venue.

The brides were dressed in red saris and the grooms wore golden sherwanis. Some of the grooms carried traditional swords. Each couple was allowed 10 guests.

Mukesh Kumar, a groom, said: “I had decided a long time ago that I would get married at a blessed mahurat (auspicious time), which comes only once a year.”

His nervous bride, 19-year-old Rakhi, said that the mass wedding was a good way to dispense with all unnecessary and irrelevant expenditures that burden a family.

“I am grateful and thankful to the council for helping us celebrate the biggest moment of our lives,” she said.

Former chief justice of Pakistan, Rana Bhagwandas was present on the occasion.

Mangla Sharma, coordinator of the women’s wing of the council, said the cost for each couple’s wedding was approximately Rs.70,000.

Sharma said: “We paid for everything, including the dowry, which consists of bedroom sets, bridal dresses, and other appliances and utensils. Similarly, the couple did not have to spend a single rupee on food or decorations. We are happy that all the money was collected by the Hindu community and other individuals, and no financial support or help was sought from the government.”

Read more: http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/south-asia/41-hindu-couples-tie-the-knot-in-pakistan_100272487.html#ixzz0ZefCA1FI

Hindu Council,Pakistan,Eases Marriage Expenses For 42 Couples

DAWN newspaper reported about the combined marriages of 42 couples belonging to the Hindu Community over the weekend.

Couples from all parts of small and big cities of the Sindh Province came to Karachi and were joined in holy matrimony according to the Hindu Custom of Marriage.All expenses were borne by the members of the Pakistan Hindu Council.This enabled the less priveledged of their community to have a befitting wedding.

The ceremony was held on Sunday at the Y.M.C.A.grounds.

20 Hindu couples tie the knot in Karachi
Twenty-five mandaps were arranged around a raised platform. The purohit spoke into a public address system while the bride and groom followed his instructions.

What made the occasion momentous for 20 Hindu families who had travelled to Karachi for Saturday’s mass wedding at the Swami Narayan Mandir was the incentive— they didn’t have to pay a single paisa. The Pakistan Hindu Council picked the tab.

Eighteen years after social worker Shamji Bijalo married off his Karachi-born daughter to cousins in Jamnagar, Gujarat, she was back in the port city.

This time, Bijalo’s grandson Manesh Manoharlal Dru, a daily wages labourer in Jamnagar, was accompanying her. Dru was in Karachi to marry 18-year-old Kanda Bai, a distant cousin. “My daughter was looking for a Karachi girl for a bahu,” says
Bijalo, a former employee of the Karachi Water Board.

In another mandap sat a Bheel family from Umarkot, Sindh, accompanied by family friend Husain Ali Shah. “I have come with my neighbours to offer moral support,” says Shah, a landlord.

Husain Ali, from a Syed family, said his presence means the world to the Hindus he accompanied. “In the eyes of God, we are all one.”

The Council, a representative body of Hindus, said the initiative will help hundreds of lower income families living in Karachi and other parts of Sindh survive the inflationary conditions in Pakistan.

Spiralling prices of essential commodities and expenses had forced many to put off their children’s weddings.

Said Bijal: “Never in my life have I seen such a good gesture. I have saved over Rs 150, 000.”

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com

Team constituted to investigate burning of holy books
KARACHI: The Sindh government on Saturday constituted a high-level investigation team to probe into the incident of setting ablaze holy books of Hindus and Sikhs in Kandhkot.

The government took this step after police authorities of district Kashmore failed to arrest the culprits involved in burning the books. Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs Sindh, Dr Mohan Lal Kohistani will head this fact-finding mission, whereas minority MPAs Saleem Khurshed Khokhar and Pitamber Sewani would assist him as members of the committee. It is pertinent to mention that on September 5, some unidentified miscreants set ablaze religious books of Sikhs and Hindus in a mutual temple, the Guru Nanak Darbar at Kandhkot, in the northern district of the province. The incident panicked the Hindus and Sikhs throughout the province and Pakistan Hindu Foundation issued a call for three-day mourning, after which Hindus observed a shutter down strike in different districts of the province.

“The culprits would not be forgiven at any cost and the Sindh government would soon put these miscreants behind the bars,” announced Kohistani. Addressing an emergency press conference at his office in Sindh Secretariat building with minority MPAs Saleem Khurshed Khokhar, Pitamber Sewani and others, Kohistani condemned the incident and said some miscreants just want to create panic among the religious minorities, but Sindh government assures the Hindus, Sikhs and other religious minorities that they would be protected at every level.

“I have personally talked to the Sindh chief minister and he has assured that he would ensure justice with Sikhs for which the CM is in constant contact with IG, RPO and DPO concerned for the arrest of culprits and the CM has also directed home secretary and IG Sindh to conduct inquiry into the matter and submit the report within three-day time,” he said.

Chairman Sikh Naujwan Sabha Sardar Ramjesh Sigh, Vice Chairman Sardar Jagjit Singh and others condemned the incident and demanded of the government of Pakistan to help the Hindus and Sikhs to arrest the culprits involved in the incident.

Leading organisation of Pakistani Hindus, the Pakistan Hindu Council (PHC) is observing three-day mourning. “We believe that DPO Kashmore is behind these incidents, so we demand President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to lodge the FIR against DPO Kashmore,” said PHC president D M Maharaj. In a press statement, Provincial Home Minister Sindh Dr Zulfqar Mirza has directed police authorities to protect the religious minorities and their holy places. In another press statement MQM MPA Dr Haragun Das condemned the Kandhkot incident and has demanded immediate arrest of the culprits behind the incident.

Pakistan Hindu Council says Hindus feeling insecure
March 30, 2007, 00:00 IST
Karachi, March 30: The Pakistan Hindu Council today said Hindus living in Sindh province are feeling insecure due to rising cases of kidnapping and murder of the people from their community.

It appealed to President Pervez Musharraf to take notice and direct authorities to provide protection and take measures to recover kidnapped Hindus from Sakrand, Kashmore and Jacobabad.

"More recently a Hindu businessman, Ashok Kumar Kohistani, has been kidnapped from Sakrand. Police is not registering the case as yet and have not been able to arrest the outlaws. The victim's family does not have enough money to pay the ransom," Visharam Tharwani, general secretary of the council, said in a statement.