Amritsar— Bharatiya Janata Party Punjab spokesperson Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala stated that the condition of Hindu, Sikh, and Christian minority communities in Pakistan is extremely distressing, where their very religious identity has become a punishment. The latest report by the international human rights body Amnesty International is strong evidence of Pakistan’s dark mindset toward minorities and its blatant violation of human rights. The report makes it clear that Hindus and Christians in Pakistan are forced into low-grade sanitation work solely on the basis of caste and religion, and are denied basic labour rights and human equality.Prof. Khiala said that this is not a coincidence but a deliberately designed, systematic exploitation model aimed at keeping minorities permanently marginalized. The report reveals that 55% of recruitments are based on caste and religion, 45% of workers have no legal employment documents, and 70% are denied the freedom to refuse work under inhuman conditions. Such realities are a disgrace for any nation that claims to value cultural and democratic ideals.
Highlighting the real face of Pakistan, Prof. Khiala said that these heinous acts are not limited to employment discrimination. Extremists forcibly convert and marry off minority women, mothers, sisters, and even underage daughters. For the victimized Hindu families of such underage girls, obtaining legal justice is not only extremely difficult but also marred by religious bias in police and courts. Sikh gurdwaras and Hindu temples remain unsafe, while the Pakistani government stands as a silent spectator. Such attacks in the name of religion are an open assault on human dignity and security, a black mark on any civilized nation.
Prof. Sarchand Singh Khiala added that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has taken historic steps for the protection, empowerment, and economic upliftment of minorities. Free ration schemes, provision of water and electricity to every household, scholarships for minority students, Hajj travel facilities, and separate funds for the upkeep of religious sites are proof that India ensures equal rights and opportunities to citizens of all religions, castes, and languages.
In contrast, the condition of Hindu and Sikh minorities in Pakistan—both historically and in the present day—remains extremely serious and worrisome. These conditions are further deteriorating due to religious discrimination, socio-economic marginalization, and a lack of legal protection. Amnesty International and other international reports have already exposed Pakistan’s hypocritical and cruel face, where minorities are forced to live not even as second, but as third-class citizens.
In Pakistan, religious discrimination and lack of security mean that Hindus and Sikhs often face harassment, humiliation, and social disgrace solely because of their religious identity. Attacks on religious places, desecration of idols and gurdwaras occur repeatedly. Minority religious festivals often face restrictions or a lack of security.
Pakistan’s constitution and laws contain serious shortcomings in protecting the rights of minorities. The legal claims of religious freedom and equality are often ignored in practice. This is the reason why the Hindu population in Pakistan, which was around 12–15% in 1947, has now dropped to less than 2%. The Sikh community’s numbers are even lower.