devgupt

got it from the link Balochistan lawmakers oppose dam construction near temple-Pakistan-World-The Times of India

Balochistan lawmakers oppose dam construction near temple
29 Jun 2008, 1251 hrs IST,PTI
ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers in Pakistan's southwest Balochistan assembly have demanded that the federal government drop plans to build a dam in the region as the structure will damage a historical Hindu temple visited by thousands of pilgrims every year.

In a joint resolution moved by several provincial ministers and backed by all lawmakers, except one, members of the assembly wanted the federal government to cancel plans for building the dam on Hangol river that would pass near the Makran coastal highway close to the Hinglaj Mata temple.

The temple, which could be endangered by the proposed dam, is visited each year by thousands of Hindu pilgrims, especially during the grand annual religious festival in April.

Balochistan's Irrigation and Power Minister Sardar Muhammad Aslam Bizenjo along with several provincial ministers moved the joint resolution in the assembly opposing the construction of the dam.

"We request the government to respect the sentiments of our fellow Hindu brothers. If the temple is damaged, Pakistan's image on the global front would be tarnished and Hindus living all across the world would be hurt over our inability to protect our religious minorities," the resolution said.

"We therefore request the government to construct the dam elsewhere to ensure the protection of the Hinglaj Mata temple," it said.




Amidst all the news of growing intolerance in Pakistan, it has come as a heartening news.And that it has come from baluchistan which is considered to be as radical as NWFP makes it's more significant.

Mohan

well thats some out of box thinking thats happened

bengalraider

well at least the balochis have turned over a new leaf

Ray

It is the CBM that is working.

Let us also understand that all Pakistanis are not hotheads.

Reach out to them is my advice.

__________________


"Some have learnt many Tricks of sly Evasion, Instead of Truth they use Equivocation, And eke it out with mental Reservation, Which is to good Men an Abomination."

I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.

HAKUNA MATATA

pravin

when did they become this tolerant.No wonder pigs will be flying in the sky

Skywatcher

If you really want to be cynical, you could say that they're worried about losing tourist revenue (I have disturbing talent for making everything look bad).

However, my guts instincts and limited knowledge of South Asia says that this is genuine.

Ray

There is hardly any tourist traffic!

Ray

How long are you going to fight your ideas?

devgupt

I got this info from bbc regarding Hinglaj temple.It is definitely a fully functional temple with a dedicated following drawing many visitors

BBC NEWS | In pictures: Hindus in Pakistan, Prayers offered

Agnostic Muslim

Interestingly, the lone lawmaker who voted against the resolution also happens to be the lone Hindu lawmaker in the Assembly.

His argument was that Balochistan needs progress and facilities more - and that rather than opposing the Dam, there needs to be an effort to find ways to minimize the impact.

__________________
Pakistan is not going to be a theocratic state to be ruled by priests with a divine mission - Jinnah

devgupt

What is likely to happen AM, will the government of Pakistan heed the request of Baluchistan assembly, or will it go ahead?If the issue gets much international attention I think there might be some rethinking

Agnostic Muslim

We need Dams and Balochistan needs dams - my guess is that the Dam will go ahead (and it should), whether there will be any effort to minimize the impact I do not know. Its too early to say.

Blademaster

I am going to remember this when India tries to build something and it necessitates the removal of a moslem mosque. I will highlight this every time a Muslim comes up and cry about the GoI's insensivitity to Moslims minorities. If your government can do this to Hindus minorities, then by the same token GOI can do the same thing to its Muslim minorities.

Agnostic Muslim

What you do in India is your problem.

If your reference is to Kashmir, since Pakistan does not consider Kashmir to be part of India, Pakistan's expression of concern at events in that region are legitimate.

P.S: What do you think happened to the Muslim communities and mosques when the other dams in Pakistan were constructed?

Or are you implying Pakistan only builds dams in areas populated by minorities with historic temples that can be submerged?

Things like this happen whenever dams are built.

Even if there is no feasible way to relocate the dam or the temple, construction on the dam should go ahead..

devgupt

That is very interesting comment. It is something like 'All men are equal but some are more equal than others'.