Thanks to the media and the turbulent situation in Pakistan, it is a common belief now that the minorities suffer huge atrocities there and the life of minorities is just hell there. However, if you talk to or listen to Raj Kumar Gujar who is a Hindu and belongs to Pakistan, you will feel that things are not as bad as they are shown to be.
Raj Kumar Gujar is often surprised when he is inquired about his living conditions in Pakistan and how he is being treated over there as he is from a minority section, to which his answer is quite simple that he is treated in the same manner as other people of the country are treated. However, he was a little surprised when he discovered that a large group of students is unknown to the fact that Pakistan is also home to 1.2% Hindus.
This is what he told, “When I went to the United States for a semester abroad, I was frequently asked a rather bothersome question, “How are you treated, being a minority in your country?” My answer has always been very simply, I am treated just like anyone else; one of their own.
However, he further added, “The only form of prejudice I have ever faced is when I went to Islamabad for higher education. As I introduced myself in class, the mere mention of my name made the other students and teacher question if I was Indian.”
He also tells that people get surprised when he supports Pakistani team in a match against India and sometimes he needs to show his ID cards to traffic police or local merchant to prove that he is a Pakistani, he tells, “During a cricket match between India and Pakistan, one that we were watching in class, and I was supporting the Pakistani team, much to the astonishment of some of my classmates. In fact, a friend of mine even asked why I was not supporting the Indian team.”
Despite all this, he feels to be blessed to be born as a Hindu in a Muslim state, he tells about his Muslim friends and the praises that he got from his teachers. He also studied Islamiyat as any other student and he also keeps fasts during Ramazan. He puts the major part of blame on the media for portraying Pakistan as hell for minorities, he in fact missed his country a lot even when he was in India, among the people of his own religion, and this is what he says, “Unlike what everyone seems to think, for me, it has been a blessing to be born into a Hindu family in a Muslim state; I have been treated with nothing but respect, care and love.”
He very clearly states that Pakistan is not just for Muslims but it belongs to all it citizens of various religion, and as far as safety is concerned, he asks which country doesn’t faces this type of situation, even Muslims are not safe there. He feels that religion can’t be a reason for any type of disturbance, as he tells, “I won’t deny that I was bombarded with questions regarding the status of Hindus in Pakistan. But being a Pakistani Hindu, I was unbiased and precise with my answers. I told them that I have always felt like a star of my country and I feel safe, which is why I am as loyal as any Muslim in the country. Pakistan doesn’t just belong to Muslims; it belongs to all the residents of its soil.”
You can read his full post here.
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