Together to colour away shadows of intolerance

Karachi
In a country where hateful opinions against minorities are supported by the educational curriculum; where terrorists have been free to carry out brutal attacks on places of worship, the human shield formed outside the Sri Swami Narayan Mandir on Thursday during Holi celebrations indeed came as a surprise for the minority community.
On a call given by the National Students’ Federation Pakistan (NSF), a large number of people belonging to different religions and sects gathered outside the temple to form a human chain as a symbol of resistance, as well as one of solidarity with the community.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against the state’s failure to provide protection to vulnerable communities. Demanding an overhaul of the state’s affairs, the protesters denounced the decade- old policy formed during the Cold War era. “Leaders who do not act dialogically, and insist on imposing their decisions, never organise the people; they manipulate them. They do not liberate, nor are they liberated; they simply oppress,” said NSF central organiser Khurram Ali while quoting renowned Marxist educationist Paulo Freire.
Criticising the state for what he claimed was ‘criminal negligence’ on its part, he demanded of the authorities to show their resolve, not just through national action plans, but by concrete measures. “It is a war between humanity and hatred. We have taken the onus to unite everyone upon ourselves and we vow to never give in,” Ali said, reiterating his resolve against elements bent upon destroying any sense of pluralism in the country.
NSF Karachi General Secretary Fawad Hasan, while addressing the demonstrators, said Hindus living in the country were as much Pakistanis as Muslims. “They were as much a part of the process of partition as we were.” Extending greetings to the community, he said Holi was not just a religious festival but a true representation of the culture of sub-continent.
Pakistan Hindu Forum (PHF) President Dr Jaipal Chhabria thanked the demonstrators and said he was extremely glad to witness such a show of resistance from people of different faiths and beliefs. He was of the opinion that the majority of Pakistanis were against the menace of terrorism; however, he expressed disappointment over the media’s lack of coverage of their religious festivals.
PHF founding member Babu Ladu also appreciated the demonstrators’ efforts, “It is heartening to see non-Hindus celebrating the festival with us. All of us belong to the working class...labels of Hindu, Muslim or Christian are no way to identify ourselves.”