Muharram and Hindus in Pakistan

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Even as the news about the persecution of Hindus in Pakistan keep featuring in World media at periodical intervals, Taziadari and participation in Muharram rituals continues to be popular among them with same zeal and gusto, indicating that they are determined to follow the path shown by Hazrat Imam Hussain i.e.” raise your voice against tyrant, irrespective of his numeric superiority and might. Choose honorable death as compared to an oppressed life”.

Before partition, Hindus used to observe Muharram in large number in undivided India.post 1947, their participation declines in both Pakistan and India. In Pakistan, it was persecution by fanatics and attacks on Muharram processions and Sufi shrines that discouraged them while rise of communalism in India did the same in urban pockets initially and now threatening their rural counterparts as well. However, despite vehement opposition of anti-  Karbala elements, Taziadari and Azadari continue to thrive in both the countries. While in India, Muharram rituals continue to be remaining unaffected in Southern part of the country, the same applies to Sindh province of Pakistan.  

In Karachi, Hindus continue to revere Imam Hussain as they have been doing for generations. Those living in Hindu pockets of the commercial capital of Pakistan  openly admit that had always shown respect towards the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain and that they were doing the same even today. They prepare Tazia near their temple with everyone taking part and helping in Muharram ceremonies. For all of them, Yaum-e-Ashura is big occasion.

 Hindu Tazias of Ranchor Line Karachi

Duldul Tazia of Ranchor Lines in Karachi is historic. It is integral part of Muharram procession. It is taken out jointly by Hindus and Sikhs. Sandeep Singh, one of the organizers reveals that Tazia is taken out as a symbol of fulfillment of a vow by his grandfather. The family has been in the procession since 1965 after Sandep’s grandfather who was blessed with children after remaining issueless for considerable time , prompting him to go for vow before another Tazia dedicated to the sacred memory of Imam Hussain. Hindu women cleaning streets for Ashura procession is another unique feature of their devotion to Imam. The men who make these Tazias have been doing this for at least three generations from Hindu-dominated Narainpura area.

In Hyderabad Sindh, One Ashura procession is taken out by Hindus from the Sheikh Muhalla.

In Peshawar, the Hindu community believes that Muharram symbolizes  inter-religious harmony as there was no aversion, no instability and everyone would observe it irrespective of their religion and sectarian differences. The local residents’ recall that participation of Hindus was more about three decades ago but now tradition is slowly but surely shrinking. They attribute the education system of Pakistan to the trend. Babaji Guru Gurpal Singh, while reminiscing on the past, tells that people of all faiths would attend the procession. Now admirers of Imam Hussain with non-Muslim background they  avoid being part of the procession in view of stringent security measures introduced during Muharram.  To keep the tradition alive, Baba has formed  a ‘Muttahida Aman Committee’ and its members visit different Imambargahs and offer their help to the mourners”. The committee also visits the places and assists those who want to establish Tazia processions in their areas.

In Pakistan, participation of Hindus in Muharram can still be observed in areas like Tando Muhammad Khan, Mir Pur Khas, Sanghar, Umer Kot, Tharparkar, Badin, Thatta and Dadu besides others .Hindu in these areas refrain from marriage ceremonies during Muharram, wear black clothes as symbol of  mourning, distribute ‘Langar’ and even hoist the Alam  to pay tributes to Commander of small band of Hussaini force, Hazrat Abbas Alamdar. It is nothing less that a miracle the way Hindus come out on the streets to observe Muharram in Pakistan- a country marred with sectarian violence.