Balochistan. But after having sat with Balochistan based Baloch and Hindu historians and writers, all of them consent to this point that the Hindus have been living in Balochistan since time immemorial with Buddhists. It is also said that in some parts of Balochistan, paganism, which has been the religion of the scattered tribal people. However, Hindus ruled Balochistan before the invasion of Arabs in 712 A.D.
Historically, it isn’t clear in documents to assert that how and when Hindus originally settled in
In Balochistan, Hindus have two most historical and famous sacred places which belong to ancient times. These two sacred places are: Hinglaj Shrine, which is located in Balochistan’s Lasbella District in a hilly track, and the other one, is in Kalat town, Balochistan, called Kali Devi, who is the consort of god Shiva.
At the time of partition, religious riots were rampant in the subcontinent, but Hindus were living harmoniously and peacefully in princely state Balochistan, which was under the rule of Kalat, the chief ruler of Kalat state, Yar Muhammad Khan. He respected the indigenousness of the Hindu community. He had also given to Hindus economic and religious freedom in Balochistan. That is why Hindu community didn’t leave Balochistan at the time of partition because their all rights were safeguarded.
Hindus had also been living amicably with Balochistan’s Balochs and Pashtuns since pre-partition days. But after the partition days, due to religious uproar and turmoil, Hindus had to leave Balochistan’s Pashtun belt to settle in Baloch populated areas or migrate to India. In 1941, Hindus’ population was 54, 000 in Balochistan’s Pashtun belt, but soon it dwindled by 93 per cent after the 1947.
In contemporary times, one of the prominent Hindu intellectuals, Mr. Sham Kumar, told this writer about the Hindus living in Baloch populated areas: “Hindus are now facing a situation worse in Baloch residing places than they had to face in the past living in Pashtun residing places because the Baloch elders, who would show great respect for their neighborhood Hindus, are no longer living in this world, or they have become very old.”
Hindus have been richly contributing in Balochistan’s economic prosperity and developments since pre-partition days. They have built schools, libraries and hospitals in various parts of Balochistan. In Balochistan, many of the Hindus are educated. They have been offering services in health, education and other sectors.
But it is profoundly shocking that Hindus are now living dangerously in Balochistan. They even cannot perform their religious practices freely due to the nightmarish situation where they interminably fear for their lives, faith, honor and property. Hindus, in spite of being Balochistan’s peaceful and largest minority, are running from their old ‘motherland’ to escape persecution, because their lives are in a precarious and worsened condition these days.
In Balochistan, it was 1990s period that turned into a great conflagration for Hindus. Then, after that, gradually and slowly Hindus’ manifold of problems, whether that is abduction, religious persecution, migration and killing, all of them have been getting intensified. Externally and internally, many Hindu families have migrated to India, inside Pakistan’s largest city, i.e., Karachi and interior Sindh. But, unfortunately, they are economically living a pathetic life in the above places. There are many more Hindus who still utter the words of “migration” and “insecurity” in Balochistan.
In Balochistan, except Makran (Panjgur, Turbat and Gwadar), Hindus are living in all other Baloch populated districts.
There has been mass migration from Balochistan’s these districts: Kalat, Khuzdar, Quetta, Mastung, Lasbella, Hub, Nushki, Dalbanidn, etc. On the other hand, Dr. Shah Muhammad Marri, the well know Baloch historian, said: “Everybody is migrating from Balochistan, not only the Hindus. Take the example of Marri tribe; they are also migrating due to the law and order situation. This land has been burning for the last thirty years. It has become an inferno for all the castes. Same is the case with Hindus, Christians, Hazaras, Balochs and Pashtuns. All of them are migrating from pillar to post to find a safe place.”
Balochistan’s Minority Minister, Mr. Basant Lal Gulshan, who is a Hindu, denied the reports of Hindus migrating Balochistan. But a Hindu Doctor said under the condition of anonymity that there had been migration even from his own family.
The government officials, on the other hand, also say that majority of Hindus who have been migrating from Balochistan or the country, are economically sound. They see a bright future for their children in India. But it is worth mentioning here that 90% of Hindus of Balochistan are unsound economically. They cannot afford to leave their indigenous places and settle somewhere else, especially India. Moreover, a sane person or community; they never give up their connections to their place of birth until or unless circumstances compel them.
In Balochistan, Hindus are also complainant about the main stream media that their sufferings hardly and rarely get discussed there. That is why they lay emphasis upon the media, especially the private national TV channels; to bring to light their sufferings because people at national and international level have very little information about them.
There have also been nearly 35 Hindus killed in ex-dictator general Parvez Musharraf’s regime where he launched fifth military operation against Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti, the former chief minister Balochistan.
Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti used to keep Hindu populatio
n in proximity to his legendary fort in Dera Bugti to safeguard them from criminal elements. That is why many Hindus, mainly women and children killed and sustained severe injuries in the assault against Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on March 17, 2005.
n in proximity to his legendary fort in Dera Bugti to safeguard them from criminal elements. That is why many Hindus, mainly women and children killed and sustained severe injuries in the assault against Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti on March 17, 2005.
Additionally, in Balochistan, Hindus are considered low castes. They are being treated unequally and as second grade citizens. They are living isolatable life in their separate streets. They don’t have the right to vote. Their children’s education is indecent.
In previous times, the government couldn’t have maintained its writ despite completing its five years’ tenure. To a lesser extent, the ex government would also be held responsible for the Hindus’ sufferings. That is why the upcoming government should be civilized and democratically elected so that Hindus may find a solution to their conundrum.
The writer is doing a research work on Balochistan based Hindus.
(Courtesy to: Daily Balochistan Express, Quetta.)
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