Pakistan: Basant Lal’s concern over rise in kidnapping Hindus

The forced conversion into Islam and increasing incidents of kidnappings creating a deep sense of insecurity among the Hindu community in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan, said Minister for Human Rights and Minority Affairs Basant Lal Gulshan.
As many as four girls and three boys of Hindu community forcibly converted into Islam in 2011 and the community is not raising their voice out of fear. “At least 50 Hindu families have migrated from Quetta alone,” he told the Express Tribune. “The families migrated to interior Balochistan and Sindh because situation is worst in Quetta where rights of minorities are not protected.”
According to Mr. Gulshan, the cases of forced conversion into Islam were reported in Loralai, Chaman and Sibi but there has been no investigation into any case.
He also criticized the Balochistan Government for its lack of interest on this crucial issue. “I took up the issue with Chief Minister and also spoke on the floor of the house. They are not sincere and serious in addressing the grievances of minorities.”
Commenting on increasing incidents of kidnapping for ransom in Balochistan, Basant Lal Gulshan said around 25 people belonging to his community were kidnapped in 2012. “There were 55 cases of kidnappings of Hindu people in last year while this year we are witnessing a sharp rise in this menace,” he added.
Dr. Rajesh Kumar, a pharmacist, was kidnapped in broad daylight in front of Bolan Medical College Complex in Quetta one and half month ago and his whereabouts is yet to be traced.
According to a rough estimate, around 200,000 Hindu people are residing in different parts of Balochistan and most of them area businessmen and traders. “Hindus are considered soft target and easy earning for criminals,” the Minister added.
Responding to a query that he is also part of Balochistan Cabinet and his reservations are not being listened, he said what he can do is to raise the voice of his community. “My colleagues in Cabinet often say that this is not happening only with Hindu people. They justify the kidnapping for ransom in some way, he claimed. Muslims are also being kidnapped,” he said, adding that government should have to show seriousness and take some concrete steps otherwise it will give bad name to our country in the world.
Human Rights Organization of Pakistan (HRCP), Balochistan chapter in his statement expressed strong resentment over the kidnapping of Hindu people and asked the government to improve the situation by curbing this menace. Rajesh Kumar was also member of HRCP Balochistan Chapter.
They blamed powerful and influential people of behind the business of kidnapping for ransom.