In Karachi, a human shield for Hindus celebrating Hol

[Neo]

In Karachi, a human shield for Hindus celebrating Holi


KARACHI: The National Student's Federation (NSF) organised the formation of a human shield at the Holi celebrations at Swami Narayan Temple today to show solidarity with and protect Hindus in attendance.

The demonstration is an attempt to promote interfaith coexistence and cooperation among different religious and ethnic groups in Pakistan. The NSF leveraged social media to spread information about the event, extending e-vitations to others who share their outlook on religious tolerance and wish to participate in the demonstration.

Also read: Mithi: Where a Hindu fasts and a Muslim does not slaughter cows

A member of the NSF describes it as a "progressive leftist organisation" dating back to the NSF of the Ayub Khan era. The organisation experienced a revival in 2006 – 2008.

The NSF recently organised a Progressive Day School in Karachi ─ a series of one-day workshops to educate guests about issues like religious extremism and terrorist ideologies.

Earlier this year, the NSF also organised a show of solidarity with Shias at the Shah-i-Najaf Imambargah in conjunction with the Pakistan Youth Alliance (PYA). The event was attended by notable individuals including Dr. Jaipaal Chhabria, President of the Pak Hindu Forum, and Mohammad Jibran Nasir, lawyer and political activist.

General Secretary Karachi of the NSF, Fawwad Hasan, told Dawn, "When we showed solidarity with Shias at the Imambargah, Dr. Jaipaal Chhabria joined us and stood alongside us so it's only fair that as a group, we extend the same courtesy to all Hindus in Pakistan who face a lot of prosecution of different kinds."

He cited the desecration of Hindu temples, forcible religious conversion of girls against their will, and suppression of culture and religious practices as reasons for showing solidarity with and protecting Hindus.

"We are not religious fundamentalists who take religion into our own hands, that is not what we do," he explained. "Society as a whole has to show change and be a part of that change. If you don't stand up for someone else's rights today, tomorrow you will also be targeted and there will be no one to stand up for your rights."

Commenting on the need for an end to sectarian violence, Mr. Jibran Nasir had earlier said "Four imambargahs were attacked across Pakistan in the past five weeks."

"We gathered outside Shah-i-Najaf Imambargah to form a human chain to send a message of unity and solidarity as our response to the sectarian violence by banned outfits including Sipah-i-Sahaba Pakistan, Lashkar-i-Jhangvi and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat."

"This imambargah is situated off Jehangir Road with poor security arrangements in place and is not a typically posh area, yet many people, including Sunnis, came forward to raise their voice against the brutality. It's time to raise our voices against cruelty and brutality regardless of ethnic and political backgrounds and sectarian beliefs."

Also read: Human shield formed outside Karachi imambargah to send 'message of unity'

These sentiments are echoed by the NSF which seeks to disrupt a narrative of government apathy concerning religious minorities.

In Karachi, a human shield for Hindus celebrating Holi - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

 

[Dovah]

Why would one need a human shield to play holi?

 

[Bangalorean]

So there are still a few good Pakis, at least in Karachi. Dwindling breed, but good to know that they still exist.

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

So there are still a few good Pakis, at least in Karachi. Dwindling breed, but good to know that they still exist.

Sindhi nationalists in Pakistan don't dislike Hindus and even respect Raja Dahir Sen who was defeated by Muhammad Bin Qasim but they keep deep dislike for Muhajirs and their Urdu language.

 

[Blackwater]

So there are still a few good Pakis, at least in Karachi. Dwindling breed, but good to know that they still exist.

90% of karachi wale are muhajirs aka indian agent.

 

[tarunraju]

In India minorities don't need human shields to celebrate their festivals. Hindus savor the seasons of Haleem and Rum Cake just fine; as do minorities look forward to the dozens of Hindu festivals where they get a free day off from work.

 

[Khagesh]

90% of karachi wale are muhajirs aka indian agent.

 

[rock127]

A Shia Human shield for Hindus?

It means a Minority did it for another Minority(both are targeted by Sunnis) or was it Sunni?

 

[sorcerer]

A Shia Human shield for Hindus?

It means a Minority did it for another Minority(both are targeted by Sunnis) or was it Sunni?

Democratic Students Federation

Democratic Students Federation (DSF) was founded in 1949, and being the oldest leftist student federation in Pakistan many other left leaning student political organizations can trace their heritage back to this group.[6] The DSF was banned in 1956 because of its political association with the communist party, which resulted in several other student groups forming from its ashes, like the National Students Federation and the Liberal Students Federation.[25] The DSF was allowed to reorganize in 1980, and grew in popularity because of its connection to the then powerful Soviet Union. This popularity faded after the collapse of the Soviet Union, and the group restructured itself in 2011 to adapt to more current issues. The groups stated mission is to, "bring back the balance of power to the students in universities which is formerly lost." Nowadays, both the NSF and ISF claim common heritage from the old DSF.
National Students Federation

National Students Federation (NSF) was formed from the remnants of the Democratic Students Federation when it was banned in 1956.[25] The group is a self-proclaimed revolutionary communist/Soclaist left and centre-left student federation whose stated goals are to:

Struggle for a class free education system and all rights of the student community
Struggle for free education for all
Struggle for improvement in the conditions of all educational institutes
Promote peace, tolerance and unity amongst students
To link students with the international movements against capitalist, imperialist oppression.[citation needed]

In 2008 the group was reorganized during the Lawyers' Movement, and now primarily operates out of Punjab, though its values remain mostly the same and just like the old DSF gave birth to the powerful NSF recently in a similar way the NSF has helped give birth to the programme of the newly formed Insaf Student Federation (ISF).[26]

Seems like an endangered species inside Pakistan!

 

[Sambha ka Boss]

90% of karachi wale are muhajirs aka indian agent.

Actually, many Pakistanis indeed use the term 'Indian agents' against Muhajirs.

 

[maomao]

Why would one need a human shield to play holi?

You do need in an islamic pious country where islam forms a majority. Why? I'll tell you why, because there if crazy a$$ mullahs find kafir Hindus celebrating their festivals they may go BOOM BOOM BOOM and BOOM to stop this shirk on the land of pious islam. So, to cleanse this shirk they would be required to spill Kafir blood to please their imported arab god!

 

[blueblood]

@Neo, frankly I wouldn't consider this as a good news that a minority is needing protection even if is for show but nevertheless I genuinely appretiate the feelings behind this gesture. Proves that their is still some sanity left in your country.

 

[Ray]

Must human shield be the call of the hour in Pakistan so that some others can celebrate their festivals?

Odd.

 

[The Messiah]

So there are still a few good Pakis, at least in Karachi. Dwindling breed, but good to know that they still exist.

There is no such thing as good pakis, thats an oxymoron. Although there might be good human beings in pakistan.