Endangered temple

It is not just the growing narrow- mindedness in society that leads to prejudice, what is of equal concern is that we have on our law books clauses — such as the so- called blasphemy law — that allow discrimination and harassment.

The white stripe on the national flag designed to represent Pakistan’s numerous minority- religion groups is ignored by both state and society... Consider, for example, the prospect faced by the Maharishi Valmik Swamiji Mandir in Chaklala Cantonment, Rawalpindi, and the Hindu residents that live in the Gracy Lines area... The 79- year- old temple is in active use and the only place of worship for Hindus in the vicinity. But the authorities want to build an educational and housing complex, and the demolishing of several Hindu residences is imminent...

There can be no argument that the temple must not be touched, given its importance to the Hindu community of the area as well as its historical significance.

Development is necessary, but not at the cost of citizens’ rights and the country’s heritage.

More than that, the authorities need to take heed of the signals being sent out by their uncaring attitude towards threatened structures that are dear to members of minority religions.

For, this is not the first time or the only place where such a move has been contemplated, or even executed. Would Muslim places of worship impeding “development” be treated with similar nonchalance? All places revered by the country’s various religious communities must be treated equally.

The state must think of all faiths as equally sacrosanct.