A Protest Rally against atrocities committed on Hindu women in Pakistan took place in Whitehall, London on 6 April 2012. I, Ms Ano Rao, Executive Member of Hindu Council UK, participated along with many other Hindu organisations in the UK to show their solidarity with the Hindus in Pakistan. I as the HCUK representative went with my family of five members to support this rally. Everyone at the rally was happy that we joined them.
I was interviewed by one of the leaders of this rally. He asked me the reasons why we came for the rally. I told him what the Pakistan government is doing currently to the Hindus in Pakistan is unlawful. The cases of FORCED CONVERSION OF HINDU SINDHI GIRLS IN PAKISTAN are unlawful. Each and every citizen of their country should be givenfreedom of religion. However, as we can see from the above cases offorced conversion of Sindhi Girls, there seems to be no freedom ofreligion in Pakistan.
I have also given few examples of similar cases which have happened in Malaysia on forced conversion into Islam. There were many court cases brought by the Hindu Mothers to get full custody of their children whowere unlawfully converted into Islam and given Muslim names for their children. These cases were tried at Shariah courts even though the mothers of the children were Hindu. All the Hindu mothers requested their cases to be heard at civil courts with their legal representatives, however, the Government denied their rights and directed their cases to Shariah courts. At the end of the trial, the Shariah courts decided that, since the fathers had converted into Islam, the children follows the father’s Muslim name, and the Hindu mother lost her court battle for custody of her own children who had been forced into conversion into Islam. Similar issues are happeningin many parts of the world. We therefore urged our Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron to stop funding to Pakistan and highlight the seatrocities of forced conversion into Islam to the International communities. I have also pointed out although Article 11 of the Federal Constitution allows every Malaysian citizen to practice their own religion; however, this constitutional right is not given fully tothe Hindus in Malaysia as stated in the case of Mrs. Indra Gandhi and Mrs. Syamala.
There were about 150 to 200 people who attended the Rally to support this demonstration against Religious Discrimination in Pakistan to STOP FORCED CONVERSION OF HINDU SINDHI GIRLS IN PAKISTAN. Finally, at about 2.45 p.m. a team of Hindu leaders went to No; 10 Downing Stree to submit a memorandum in respect of this above force conversion of Hindu Sindhi Girls in Pakistan to our British Prime Minister Mr. David Cameron and request urgent action to help the Hindu Sindhi Girls who been badly treated by the Pakistan Government. There were two police officers at the rally to observe our safety. Everything went on fine with the blessings of God. At 3.00 pm the rally ended peacefully.
 |
 |
 |
Pakistan Hindu Girls Kidnap and Forced Marriages Demonstration London
6th May 2012 – Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8VE8MCp3KHc
Pakistan Hindu Girls Kidnap and Forced Marriages Demonstration London
6th May 2012 – Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gag07XKGJH8
Ano Rau
Executive Member
Hindu Council UK