Pakistan’s Hindu Population Falls Below 2% Amid Forced Conversions and Abductions, Activist Raises Alarm at Geneva Press Club

During an eye-opening event at the Geneva Press Club, Javed Beigh, a political activist from Jammu and Kashmir, raised alarm about the dwindling Hindu population in Pakistan, which has fallen to less than 2% due to forced conversions, abductions, and systematic persecution. Beigh’s speech addressed the worsening plight of religious minorities, including Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians, in a country where discrimination is deeply embedded within both state institutions and society.

Beigh traced the roots of this alarming situation back to Pakistan's creation in 1947, when the country was established as a homeland for Muslims following the partition of British India. At that time, Hindus made up over 15% of Pakistan’s population. However, over the decades, this number has plummeted due to persistent violence, systemic discrimination, and forced conversions. Beigh’s words painted a bleak picture of life for Hindus in Pakistan today, where religious extremists often target these communities with impunity.

The activist provided vivid accounts of human rights violations against minority communities in Pakistan. Hindus, especially those from marginalized caste backgrounds, have been subjected to forced conversions, particularly young girls, who are often abducted, married off, and forcibly converted to Islam. Their families, unable to find justice or protection from the state, face intense pressure to flee, with many seeking refuge across the border in India. The tragic stories of these girls reflect the helplessness of minority communities in Pakistan, trapped in a system that appears either unwilling or unable to protect them.

Beigh also shed light on the destruction of Hindu religious sites, noting that since 1947, thousands of Hindu temples have been demolished or desecrated with no accountability. The lack of action on these crimes has contributed to the deepening fear and alienation among the Hindu population, many of whom feel they have no place left in the country. These acts of violence against cultural and religious heritage, Beigh stressed, are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern of erasing the identity of minorities in Pakistan.

The situation for Christians in Pakistan is similarly dire. Beigh highlighted the persecution faced by the Christian minority, which accounts for about 1.6% of the population. Many Pakistani Christians are descendants of Dalits, who converted to Christianity to escape caste oppression but found little refuge in their new religion. They face both religious persecution and ongoing caste-based discrimination. Pakistan’s blasphemy laws, which are often weaponized against Christians, have created an environment of fear, where even minor accusations can lead to violence, imprisonment, or death.

The educational system in Pakistan also came under scrutiny during Beigh’s speech. He criticized the curriculum taught in schools, which he argued fosters intolerance, particularly toward Hindus. The portrayal of Hindus as "the other" within the context of a nationalist narrative that views Pakistan’s identity in opposition to "Hindu India" has only deepened the sense of exclusion and alienation experienced by religious minorities. This narrative, according to Beigh, perpetuates religious and cultural discrimination, with Hindus being unfairly labeled as agents of India.

Beigh did not stop at describing the abuses but called for immediate international intervention. He urged organizations like the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to pressure Pakistan into fulfilling its obligations to protect all its citizens, regardless of religious background. He argued that Pakistan’s failure to address these issues was not only a violation of its international human rights commitments but also a threat to global values of tolerance and pluralism. Beigh’s call for action was clear: the international community must hold Pakistan accountable, not just for the sake of its minorities but for the principles of human dignity and equality worldwide.

As Pakistan faces increasing global scrutiny over its human rights record, particularly its treatment of minorities, Beigh’s speech at the Geneva Press Club serves as a critical reminder of the urgent need for reform. He emphasized the role of the Indian diaspora in advocating for the rights of Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians in Pakistan, calling on them to raise awareness and push for international attention on this pressing issue. 

In conclusion, Javed Beigh’s speech underscored the gravity of the situation for Pakistan’s religious minorities, who continue to live in fear and under oppression. The plummeting Hindu population, forced conversions, and systemic discrimination are not just domestic issues for Pakistan—they are violations of fundamental human rights that demand the world's attention.