Celebrating freedom

August 14 is not only the day of independence of our beloved motherland, but also the day of renewal of the pledge of allegiance. It reminds us that our elders, under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam, struggled tirelessly for the success of the Pakistan Movement and made endless sacrifices for the achievement of freedom.

After independence, the non-Muslim citizens of Pakistan did not lag behind anyone in playing a proactive role for moving Pakistan towards peace, prosperity and development. Even today, according to the Guinness Book of World Records, the world record for making the world’s largest flag made of balloons is held by the Pakistan Hindu Council, which was installed at the National Assembly Hall in Parliament House under my direction six years ago.

However, this year, apart from the traditional celebrations of independence, a new and unique spirit is beating in the hearts of the entire nation. That spirit is in memorial of Maarka-e-Haq, the Battle for Truth, which reminds us of the great victory of the Pakistani armed forces in defending the beloved homeland in the month of May this year.

This is why this year, when the government of Pakistan decided to attribute Independence Day to the Battle for Truth, the Pakistan Hindu Council welcomed this decision wholeheartedly. It was decided in a high-level meeting that preparations for the Independence Day will begin ten days in advance on August 4, while on August 14, the national flag will be hoisted at every temple, every gurdwara, every dharamshala and every school managed by the Council. The day will provide an ample opportunity to pay tribute to our martyrs, defenders and soldiers.

The process of decorating the buildings of temples and schools run by the Pakistan Hindu Council with beautiful flags and balloons has started. The main event of August 14 under the auspices of the Pakistan Hindu Council will be held in the capital city of Karachi. Special prayers will be offered for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan.

I believe that the Battle for Truth that took place on the skies of Pak-India borders a few months ago this year was such a unique demonstration of bravery, courage and defence of the homeland. It delivered a clear message across the border as well as to the international community that Pakistan’s brave forces are always ready to fight bravely to safeguard the country’s borders.

When the Pakistan Hindu Council decided to celebrate Independence Day as a Battle for Truth, we had very clear objectives in front of us that the victory of our brave forces is a source of pride for every Pakistani citizen who is loyal to national integrity, development and ideological foundations. It is very important to convey this patriotic message that the minorities residing in Pakistan are the frontline of Pakistan’s ideological, defence and diplomatic fronts.

In my view, when the minority community itself celebrates Independence Day with a powerful show of support for the Pakistani army, not only will the anti-state narrative suffer a severe blow, but it will also prove that minorities play a pivotal role in shaping and promoting the national narrative.

Let’s understand that the future of Pakistan goes beyond the majority-minority debate and is associated with every Pakistani citizen who raises the slogan of Pakistan Zindabad. The battle fought in the skies of the Indo-Pak border should not be considered just an air clash, but it was an intellectual and ideological conflict between right and wrong.

In memory of this great victory of the Pakistani army, the patriotic Hindu minorities of Pakistan will prove on August 14 that if the Hindu community living in the holy land can abandon the intention of migration 78 years ago in August 1947 and declare Pakistan their Dharti Mata (motherland) on the appeal of Quaid-e-Azam, then today we are still committed in terms of improving and defending the homeland. Long live Pakistan!

The writer is a member of the National Assembly and patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council. He tweets/posts @RVankwani