August 12, 2024
By Asad Mumtaz
KARACHI
Minority groups and civil society activists observed National Minorities Day with a peaceful demonstration at Karachi’s Frere Hall on Sunday, August 11.
The demonstration, dubbed the Minority Rights March 2024, aimed to highlight the rights violations faced by religious minorities in Pakistan, including forced conversions, misuse of blasphemy laws, discriminatory practices, and harassment by extremist groups.
The event attracted an estimated 600 participants, including women and children. The demonstrators displayed banners, chanted slogans, and sang anthems. They paid tribute to minority martyrs, recalling the contributions and sacrifices made by their communities for Pakistan’s development and progress. A heavy contingent of police personnel was deployed to ensure the security of the protesters.
Addressing the gathering, Justice Naimatullah Phulphoto of the Sindh High Court informed the attendees about the liberties and protections guaranteed by the constitution for minority communities
Pastor Ghazala Shafique of the Holy Trinity Cathedral in Karachi told Voicepk that Quaid-e-Azam, in his address to the first Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947, declared all citizens equal, stating that they would be free to go to their temples, mosques, churches, and places of worship – “Upon hearing this speech, SP Singha, a Christian, stood on the steps of the Punjab Assembly and vowed to face bullets head-on if needed for Pakistan.”
Activist Mahesh Kumar pointed out that the constitution has created two different classes of citizens in Pakistan. He explained that a non-Muslim cannot become the prime minister or president, adding, “Our core demand is equal rights for all.”
Fahmida Riaz, activist, author and one of the organizers of the Minority Rights March 2024, said: “The Constitution guarantees our rights but our institutions do not provide them to us.” She underscored forced conversions and marriages as serious issues of inequality and discrimination that persist despite legal protections
“The mention of having one day a year to raise their voices reflects both a recognition of progress and an acknowledgment of ongoing struggles,” she added.
Activist Sharan Kumar pointed out that false blasphemy accusations were not only destroying the reputation of Pakistani society, but also eroding the love and brotherhood between communities. “We are also holding this march as a protest against forced religious conversions, where underage girls are kidnapped and held hostage, and conversion certificates can be issued by anyone.”
Dr Vanish Kumar, a human rights activist, said, “My child should also have the right to chase such dreams.”