Punjab Information Minister Fayyaz ul Hassan Chohan crossed the line of indecency on Monday when he passed derogatory remarks against the Hindu community and their religion in a video that has since gone viral.
“Hey you cow urine-drinking people, listen up,†he said at a recent press conference. Presumably the minister was addressing India. “We are Muslims and we have a flag, the flag of Maula Ali’s (AS) bravery, the flag of Hazrat Umar’s valor (AS). Don’t operate under the delusion that you are better than us,” he said, addressing them as “Idol-worshippers”.
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Fayyaz Chohan’s comments clearly show that the minister is completely unaware that there are nearly 4 million Hindus living in Pakistan whose sentiments were hurt by his callous remarks.
Human rights activist, Kapil Dev also shared his sentiments with his tweet.
We are 4 million #Hindus in Pakistan.
I repeat.
We are 4 million Hindus in #Pakistan.
— Kapil Dev (@KDSindhi) March 4, 2019
Special Assistant to the Prime Minister and PTI member Naeem ul Haque later tweeted that the ruling party will not tolerate “this nonsense” in response to Chohan’s comments:
The derogatory and insulting remarks against the Hindu community by Fayyaz Chohan the Punjab Info Minister demand strict action. PTI govt will not tolerate this nonsense from a senior member of the govt or from anyone. Action will be taken after consulting the Chief Minister.
— Naeem ul Haque (@naeemul_haque) March 4, 2019
This was followed by condemnation from federal ministers Shireen Mazari and Asad Umar, along with many celebrities from the entertainment industry:
Hindus of Pakistan are as much a part of the fabric of the nation as I am. Remember the flag of Pakistan is not just green….its not complete without the white which represents the minorities. Quaide Azam's whole struggle was for a country free of discrimination
— Asad Umar (@Asad_Umar) March 4, 2019
Mahira Khan demanded action along with condemnation:
Action not just condemnation. Always a good time to set an example, but now may be the best time! @ImranKhanPTI @ShireenMazari1 @PTIofficial https://t.co/MkxFKAnKo0
— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) March 4, 2019
The fact that PTI has a support base that demands it's leaders to take action against third own is what differentiates us from the rest of the political forces out there. Again, this is what Imran Khan has instilled in us. Now let's #SackFayazChohan
— Haroon Shahid (@Haroon_5hahid) March 4, 2019
Dear @ShireenMazari1 please do take heed of the awful way Fayaz Chohan dose to speak about a religion that belongs to many Pakistanis also. Many of us have found his words racist, dangerous, as they can incite violence against Hindu Pakistanis, & very offensive. Plz do stop him🇵🇰
— Nadia Jamil (@NJLahori) March 4, 2019
Designer Deepak Perwani — who is Hindu — retweeted the post of Taimur Khan Jhagra — a member of Pakhtunkhwa parliament — which quoted Quaid e Azam’s famous statement about freewill given to Hindus in the state of Pakistan:
To @KDSindhi, and all other Hindus, Sikhs or any other non-muslims. This country is with you. It is with you because you are free, you are free to go to your temples… pic.twitter.com/EocATfESGX
— Taimur Khan Jhagra (@Jhagra) March 4, 2019
Mawra Hocane also tweeted, recalling that she had read Quaid’s quote in the fifth grade and it will always stay with her:
“You are free; to go to your temples..to go to your mosques or any other places of worship in this State of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion,caste or creed—that has nothing to do with the business of the state.”
Jinnah🇵🇰
Read this in 5th grade, shall stay with me forever.— MAWRA HOCANE (Hussain) (@MawraHocane) March 5, 2019
Actor and director Asher Azeem Gill of Dhuwan and Maalik fame — who is Christian — also voiced his concern:
"295 A: Deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs.
Up to 10 years imprisonment, or fine, or both"
KD pls file a formal complaint in a police station.
Pak stands with u. #SackFayazChohan https://t.co/EqjOXTebbd— Asher Azeem Gill (@ashirazeemgill) March 5, 2019
