Arshad Mehmood Awan

Pakistan’s founding father, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, envisioned a country where people of all religions could live with dignity and security. However, the reality today starkly contrasts with that vision, particularly for the Hindu community in Sindh. A recent report by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) highlights a troubling trend—an increasing number of Hindu families are leaving Sindh for India due to rising insecurity, discrimination, and economic hardships. Sindh, which hosts the largest Hindu population in Pakistan, is witnessing an exodus that raises serious concerns about the state’s ability to protect its religious minorities.

The HRCP report identifies several factors driving the migration of Hindus from Sindh. One of the most alarming reasons is forced conversions and marriages. Many Hindu girls, particularly minors, have been abducted, forcibly converted to Islam, and married off against their will. This issue is most prevalent in districts such as Ghotki, Sanghar, and Jacobabad, where families often find themselves powerless to fight back due to weak law enforcement and the influence of religious groups protecting the perpetrators. The lack of legal safeguards further exacerbates their vulnerability, as legislative efforts to criminalize forced conversions have repeatedly failed in the Sindh Assembly.

Another significant issue is kidnappings and deteriorating law and order. Hindu businessmen and community members have been frequent targets of abduction for ransom, a problem compounded by the inefficiency of law enforcement agencies. Many within the community feel abandoned by the state, which has failed to ensure their safety. The persistent sense of insecurity is a key factor compelling many families to seek a future in India, where they believe they will be safer.

Economic hardships also play a crucial role in this migration. Many Hindus in Sindh are engaged in small businesses or agriculture. However, economic discrimination, coupled with land-grabbing practices targeting Hindu-owned property, has made it increasingly difficult for them to sustain their livelihoods. With dwindling opportunities and financial instability, many find migration to India a more viable option. Reports suggest that even those who have managed to relocate often face challenges in India, where wealthier migrants can secure a better standard of living, while poorer Hindus end up in refugee camps with uncertain futures.

Additionally, climate change and environmental factors have further contributed to the Hindu exodus. Many agrarian communities, including Hindus, have suffered due to extreme weather events such as floods and droughts, which have destroyed crops and livelihoods. With little state intervention to provide relief or alternative means of sustenance, many families are left with no choice but to leave Pakistan in search of a more stable future.

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While Pakistan’s internal issues are pushing Hindus out, Indian policies are also encouraging their migration. India’s Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), which came into effect in 2024, offers a legal pathway for non-Muslim minorities from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh to seek Indian citizenship. This policy explicitly excludes Muslims while offering protection to Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, and Christians facing ‘persecution’ in their home countries. For many Sindhi Hindus, the CAA has provided a legal incentive to migrate, reinforcing the perception that India is a safer and more welcoming place for them.

The current exodus of Sindhi Hindus is not an isolated event but part of a larger historical pattern. Since the partition of India in 1947, many Hindus have migrated to India due to communal tensions and insecurity. While the earlier migrations were largely driven by political upheaval, the present wave is fueled by a combination of religious persecution, economic distress, and lawlessness. Unlike the past, today’s migration also reflects the failure of the Pakistani state to protect its minorities, despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.

Despite the alarming situation, there has been little meaningful intervention by the Pakistani government. The rejection of the anti-forced conversion bill in Sindh’s provincial assembly reflects a lack of political will to address the grievances of Hindus. Moreover, law enforcement agencies have largely failed to hold perpetrators accountable, allowing extremist groups and criminal elements to operate with impunity. Instead of tackling the root causes of migration, the state has remained largely silent, further alienating an already vulnerable community.

Addressing the crisis requires urgent and concrete measures. The Pakistani government must enact and enforce laws that protect minorities, particularly laws that criminalize forced conversions and abductions. Law enforcement agencies must be strengthened to curb kidnappings and land grabs targeting Hindus. Economic empowerment initiatives, such as business grants and employment programs, should be introduced to create financial stability for the community. Additionally, climate resilience programs must be implemented to support agrarian communities facing environmental hardships.

On a broader level, political parties and civil society organizations must push for electoral and legislative reforms that prioritize the protection of religious minorities. The international community, including human rights organizations, should continue to monitor and pressure Pakistan to uphold its commitments to religious freedom and human rights.

The exodus of Sindh’s Hindu community is a distressing indicator of Pakistan’s failure to protect its minorities. While there is no state-sponsored campaign against Hindus, the absence of legal safeguards and the state’s inability to curb extremist and criminal activities have created an environment where migration seems like the only viable option. If Pakistan is to honor the vision of its founding father and uphold its democratic values, it must act decisively to ensure that all its citizens, regardless of their religion, can live with security and dignity. Until then, the departure of Sindh’s Hindus will remain a painful reminder of the country’s unresolved human rights challenges.