Throughout history, the struggle for equal rights and the right to a free life has been an ongoing battle for humanity. Unfortunately, this battle has often resulted in bloodshed and massacres, such as the persecution of Jews by Romans and Nazis, and countless foreign invasions and massacres in India, including the prominent Tamerlane massacre. Minority groups have also faced oppression across all communities, a continuing process to this day.
This oppression is deeply connected to the socio-political dynamics of a given population, with religion and culture being the main subsets of these major conflicts. Initially, social, political, or religious systems strive against the odds to progress, but over time, this self-sustaining struggle can lead to a totalitarian approach that seeks to control the lives of citizens.
This approach is not only state-centric but also involves society as a whole. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in a speech on 11 August 1947, stated that "You are free! You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other places of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste, or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state." Unfortunately, Pakistan's minorities are facing a brutal offensive, and there is no guarantee of their safety, despite Jinnah's vision of a state where unjust attitudes towards any community should not exist.
Recently, a Sikh trader named Diyal Singh was shot and killed in Peshawar, continuing the brutal offensive against more than 3.5% of minorities living across Pakistan. Singh was a member of the Pakistani Sikh community, which has lived in Peshawar for centuries. He was shot by an unknown attacker while sitting in Dir Colony, Peshawar, and according to social media, was selling goods at lower prices than the normal rate as a sign of respect for Ramadan. Unfortunately, this became his sin, and he was killed for a deed that should be performed by all of us. The reasons for his murder remain unclear, but there are speculations, with some blaming the business mafia, while others blame religious extremist groups. Regardless of the cause, another precious life has been lost.
The circumstances suggest that the cause is related to the economy or faith, and it is such a deep nexus that it cannot be identified at once. It appears that Singh was seen as a threat by other traders or religious groups because of his lower prices. However, this act clearly showcases the extremist mindset towards minorities in Pakistan. The situation is even worse than we realize, as the ongoing situation of lawlessness and illegitimate acts is increasing day by day, putting Pakistani minorities at great risk.
It is now the responsibility of the state to prevent such activities against minorities, and society must come forward with a positive attitude towards them. Society's existence is based on justice, and the most unjust act is to deprive human beings of their lives. When there is no justice, there is no society, and ultimately, no state. This is among the basic reasons for our downfall in the world. Until we feel the urgency of the situation, we will be unable to resolve our problems in any aspect, and society will continue to decline.
This oppression is deeply connected to the socio-political dynamics of a given population, with religion and culture being the main subsets of these major conflicts. Initially, social, political, or religious systems strive against the odds to progress, but over time, this self-sustaining struggle can lead to a totalitarian approach that seeks to control the lives of citizens.
This approach is not only state-centric but also involves society as a whole. Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, in a speech on 11 August 1947, stated that "You are free! You are free to go to your temples. You are free to go to your mosques or any other places of worship in the State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion, caste, or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the state." Unfortunately, Pakistan's minorities are facing a brutal offensive, and there is no guarantee of their safety, despite Jinnah's vision of a state where unjust attitudes towards any community should not exist.
Recently, a Sikh trader named Diyal Singh was shot and killed in Peshawar, continuing the brutal offensive against more than 3.5% of minorities living across Pakistan. Singh was a member of the Pakistani Sikh community, which has lived in Peshawar for centuries. He was shot by an unknown attacker while sitting in Dir Colony, Peshawar, and according to social media, was selling goods at lower prices than the normal rate as a sign of respect for Ramadan. Unfortunately, this became his sin, and he was killed for a deed that should be performed by all of us. The reasons for his murder remain unclear, but there are speculations, with some blaming the business mafia, while others blame religious extremist groups. Regardless of the cause, another precious life has been lost.
The circumstances suggest that the cause is related to the economy or faith, and it is such a deep nexus that it cannot be identified at once. It appears that Singh was seen as a threat by other traders or religious groups because of his lower prices. However, this act clearly showcases the extremist mindset towards minorities in Pakistan. The situation is even worse than we realize, as the ongoing situation of lawlessness and illegitimate acts is increasing day by day, putting Pakistani minorities at great risk.
It is now the responsibility of the state to prevent such activities against minorities, and society must come forward with a positive attitude towards them. Society's existence is based on justice, and the most unjust act is to deprive human beings of their lives. When there is no justice, there is no society, and ultimately, no state. This is among the basic reasons for our downfall in the world. Until we feel the urgency of the situation, we will be unable to resolve our problems in any aspect, and society will continue to decline.