This book by Desmond Fernandes, looking at the educational system of Pakistan and the refugee crisis emanating from that country, sheds light on areas
that have been neglected, brushed aside or ignored. What should be an unambiguous situation of gross human rights violations has once again become
subject to the pressure of political convenience, spin and propaganda.
The case of Malala Yousafzai is well known. For daring to criticise the Taliban and their attempts to stop education of girls, Malala was shot in the
head by the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat e-Mohammadi, one of the groups that comprise the loosely allied Pakistan Taliban. As Desmond Fernandes writes,
she has become not just an icon, but a commercial brand used even by those forces who were funding the very terrorism that had led to her attempted
assassination.
head by the Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat e-Mohammadi, one of the groups that comprise the loosely allied Pakistan Taliban. As Desmond Fernandes writes,
she has become not just an icon, but a commercial brand used even by those forces who were funding the very terrorism that had led to her attempted
assassination.
The fact that she has become an advertising brick in the behemoth of big business should not be surprising when we look at how raw commercialisation
has become the norm, the yardstick against which everything is measured. Even before the tragic suicide of elderly poppy seller Olive Cooke in
2015, alarm bells were already ringing on how charities were becoming just another form of business.
has become the norm, the yardstick against which everything is measured. Even before the tragic suicide of elderly poppy seller Olive Cooke in
2015, alarm bells were already ringing on how charities were becoming just another form of business.
I have concentrated on this because it is an essential element in explaining why there has been less focus on indoctrination in Pakistan and that country’s
refugee crisis. Syria and Iraq may have closer proximity to Europe, and presently be demographically impacting upon long time NATO ally and EU
hopeful Turkey. But Pakistan has also been a long term ally of western democracies. As has Thailand, home to thousands of undocumented Pakistani
Christian refugees caged like animals.
refugee crisis. Syria and Iraq may have closer proximity to Europe, and presently be demographically impacting upon long time NATO ally and EU
hopeful Turkey. But Pakistan has also been a long term ally of western democracies. As has Thailand, home to thousands of undocumented Pakistani
Christian refugees caged like animals.
Pakistan and Thailand were once members of the defunct SEATO (South East Asia Treaty Organisation) in the west’s frontline against communist expansion.
This meant aid, including military aid. How a country conducts its own affairs is held to be its own concern. Yet can such as state really shrug
off outside scrutiny when it receives so much in aid? Where is the dividing line between development money and what is in effect an unsaid protection
racket to keep the donors quiet? These questions will become more pertinent as ISIS and similar groups fracture and splinter, leading to even more
grotesque forms of persecution, terrorism and conflict.
This meant aid, including military aid. How a country conducts its own affairs is held to be its own concern. Yet can such as state really shrug
off outside scrutiny when it receives so much in aid? Where is the dividing line between development money and what is in effect an unsaid protection
racket to keep the donors quiet? These questions will become more pertinent as ISIS and similar groups fracture and splinter, leading to even more
grotesque forms of persecution, terrorism and conflict.
What happened in Syria and Iraq was just a better covered and more dramatic turn of events to what has been happening in Pakistan. What has been described
in Desmond Fernandes’ book as slow genocide by drip effect, is now accelerating into full scale demographic catastrophe.
in Desmond Fernandes’ book as slow genocide by drip effect, is now accelerating into full scale demographic catastrophe.
At the same time, the government is keen to keep to its election pledge of keeping down net migration. Refugees are seen as sleeper cells for terrorist
groups such as ISIS. Ironically, the refugees from Pakistan are trying to flee that very terrorism in the first place. While the refugees are seen
as the ‘problem’, there appears to be no problem in selling arms and military equipment to this most dependable western ally. This, in turn, is
used either directly against the ‘minorities’ such as the Baluch, or finds its way into the hands of terrorists – the line not always being so
clear cut.
groups such as ISIS. Ironically, the refugees from Pakistan are trying to flee that very terrorism in the first place. While the refugees are seen
as the ‘problem’, there appears to be no problem in selling arms and military equipment to this most dependable western ally. This, in turn, is
used either directly against the ‘minorities’ such as the Baluch, or finds its way into the hands of terrorists – the line not always being so
clear cut.
Once again, human rights and democracy play second fiddle to that all important arms deal and the ‘moderating’ influence it brings on oppressive regimes.
We all know of Malala. Unlike Malala, Guddi Bheel never had the same iconic status. Aged nine when in May of this year she was found murdered in Khipro
City, District Sanghar, Sindh. Because the accused was the son of the powerful local police officer, nothing was done. A few days later, another
minor Hindu girl, Durshana Bai, aged 9 years, was raped and murdered by unknown person at Umarkot city, Sindh.
City, District Sanghar, Sindh. Because the accused was the son of the powerful local police officer, nothing was done. A few days later, another
minor Hindu girl, Durshana Bai, aged 9 years, was raped and murdered by unknown person at Umarkot city, Sindh.
When the impoverished landless, largely Dalit tenants, are Hindus, and the powerful landlords and officials are Muslims, inconvenient questions over
murder, rape, abduction and forcible conversion are not asked. Such victims have not made good brand icons.
murder, rape, abduction and forcible conversion are not asked. Such victims have not made good brand icons.
In working with Desmond Fernandes, Wilson Chowdry and others, it is heartening to see so many different people come together in furthering the cause
of human rights, to help those less fortunate than ourselves, in ensuring that their voices are heard. Yet, one question is always asked. Where
are the Hindu organisations in all this?
of human rights, to help those less fortunate than ourselves, in ensuring that their voices are heard. Yet, one question is always asked. Where
are the Hindu organisations in all this?
HHR (Hindu Human Rights) group was set up to highlight the persecution, discrimination and marginalisation faced by Hindus worldwide. During the last
sixteen years of its existence, HHR has had the honour of working with many other organisations. This has been most notable with the British Pakistani
Christian Association (BPCA) over many years, at its meetings and protests. HHR also attended the three day workshop on religion and human rights
at the invitation of the Al-Mahdi Institute in Birmingham in 2014, spoke in 2009 on issues of caste discrimination at CARJ (the Catholic Association
for Racial Justice) at the invitation of VODI (the Voice of Dalit International), and as the new century dawned, worked with the Tearfund charity
supporter and founder of the Conservative Friends of India, former MP Peter Luff.
sixteen years of its existence, HHR has had the honour of working with many other organisations. This has been most notable with the British Pakistani
Christian Association (BPCA) over many years, at its meetings and protests. HHR also attended the three day workshop on religion and human rights
at the invitation of the Al-Mahdi Institute in Birmingham in 2014, spoke in 2009 on issues of caste discrimination at CARJ (the Catholic Association
for Racial Justice) at the invitation of VODI (the Voice of Dalit International), and as the new century dawned, worked with the Tearfund charity
supporter and founder of the Conservative Friends of India, former MP Peter Luff.
Through work related to Pakistan, HHR has gained invaluable information from the Pakistan Hindu Seva of Sanjesh Dhanja, the Scheduled Caste Movement
and Hare Ram Foundation of Ramesh Jaipal, as well as highlighting the work in the Delhi refugee camps by Prakash Jha and Anuradha Mishra and their
first-hand knowledge of those Hindus fleeing persecution in their native Pakistan.
and Hare Ram Foundation of Ramesh Jaipal, as well as highlighting the work in the Delhi refugee camps by Prakash Jha and Anuradha Mishra and their
first-hand knowledge of those Hindus fleeing persecution in their native Pakistan.
Yet, none of these have become icons or brands. Indeed, had it not been for the work pioneered by the BPCA and others, their help for those suffering
persecution may never have been known to a wider audience. Again, why is this?
persecution may never have been known to a wider audience. Again, why is this?
There are several Hindu organisations in Britain including the National Council of Hindu Temples (NCHT), City Hindu Network (CHN), Hindu Lawyers Association
(HLA), as well as various Hindu Forum and Hindu Council associations. National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) is closely linked the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP – World Hindu Council) and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS – overseas affiliate of India’s RSS).
(HLA), as well as various Hindu Forum and Hindu Council associations. National Hindu Students Forum (NHSF) is closely linked the Vishwa Hindu Parishad
(VHP – World Hindu Council) and Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS – overseas affiliate of India’s RSS).
In 2013, Chirag Patel, ex-Vice President of NHSF (UK) launched Human Boundaries, the NHSF campaign to raise awareness of the Human and Civil Rights
abuses which are faced by minority groups living in Pakistan in the award winning documentary by Rahul Riji Nair. While these efforts were laudable,
what did it achieve after the initial shock factor? Indeed, the issue of human rights plays a subservient role, indeed very subservient role, to
that once again of commercial interests and what has commercial viability.
abuses which are faced by minority groups living in Pakistan in the award winning documentary by Rahul Riji Nair. While these efforts were laudable,
what did it achieve after the initial shock factor? Indeed, the issue of human rights plays a subservient role, indeed very subservient role, to
that once again of commercial interests and what has commercial viability.
While the tragic death of Olive Cooke shows how much this has become saturated in all aspects of life, unfortunately within Hindu community in Britain,
this is often the only driving force. Much is now made of the ‘Hindu’ lobby with ‘Hindu’ role models such as Conservative MPs Shailesh Vara and
Priti Patel: the former is chair of Conservative Friends of India, the latter now serves as Secretary of State for International Development where
she has been more stringent on how aid is given.
this is often the only driving force. Much is now made of the ‘Hindu’ lobby with ‘Hindu’ role models such as Conservative MPs Shailesh Vara and
Priti Patel: the former is chair of Conservative Friends of India, the latter now serves as Secretary of State for International Development where
she has been more stringent on how aid is given.
Both MPs have forged links with India, and especially the current prime minister Narendra Modi. However, this has been driven by commercial interests,
with human rights of Hindus omitted. There is nothing to compare with the lobbying of Naz Shah MP, Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi. Indeed, Patel
has said it would be inappropriate for her to comment on Kashmir.
with human rights of Hindus omitted. There is nothing to compare with the lobbying of Naz Shah MP, Lord Ahmed and Baroness Warsi. Indeed, Patel
has said it would be inappropriate for her to comment on Kashmir.
Now this only poses a problem if we put the persecuted into neat compartments. While belonging to any said ‘community’ may help, what matters more
is knowledge and dedication to the subject. Desmond Fernandes is neither Kurdish nor Armenian and yet has written and campaigned with respect to
the genocide suffered by those respective communities.
is knowledge and dedication to the subject. Desmond Fernandes is neither Kurdish nor Armenian and yet has written and campaigned with respect to
the genocide suffered by those respective communities.
It was Wilson Chowdhry, a Christian, who has brought issues of Hindus and other persecuted minorities in Pakistan to the fore. Peter Tatchell began
his human rights work in support of Indigenous Australians, impoverished and at one point even denied the vote in their ancestral land. It is this
which moves us beyond any ‘brand’ and transcends the need for any commercial ‘viability’.
his human rights work in support of Indigenous Australians, impoverished and at one point even denied the vote in their ancestral land. It is this
which moves us beyond any ‘brand’ and transcends the need for any commercial ‘viability’.
While my focus has been on the human rights for Hindus, ultimately these can only be guaranteed in the wider framework of dignity and respect for all,
an environment where there are checks and balances on power.
an environment where there are checks and balances on power.
To achieve that is what brings us here today as we strive to achieve that. It will be the best mechanism of serving justice to the tragically short
lives of Guddi Bheel and Durshana Bai.
lives of Guddi Bheel and Durshana Bai.