Danish Kaneria, Pakistan’s last Hindu cricketer, spoke about discrimination ruining his career during a Congressional briefing in the U.S., calling for intervention to aid minorities in Pakistan. Kaneria shared his experiences of inequality, the pressure to convert to Islam from teammates, and highlighted the need for awareness and action regarding minority rights. Asra Nomani added her concerns about sectarian violence evidenced by the tragic fate of Daniel Pearl.
Danish Kaneria, the last Hindu cricketer to represent Pakistan, has disclosed that his career suffered significantly due to persistent discrimination. Speaking at a Congressional briefing in Washington, DC, he called for U.S. intervention to combat the treatment of minorities in Pakistan. Kaneria stated, “We all gathered here and shared our experiences of how we were treated in Pakistan. We have faced discrimination, and today, we raised our voices against it.”
Kaneria articulated that he did not receive the respect and equal treatment he deserved in Pakistan, which ultimately led to his relocation to the United States. He expressed, “I, too, have faced a lot of discrimination, and my career was destroyed. Because of this discrimination, I am in the US today.” His presence at the briefing aimed to raise awareness regarding the suffering of minorities in Pakistan.
Notably, Kaneria played 61 Tests for Pakistan and is the second Hindu cricketer to represent the national team, following Anil Dalpat. He previously claimed that fellow cricketers, including Shahid Afridi, persistently pressured him to convert to Islam. He highlighted supportive figures in his career, specifically naming Inzamam-ul-Haq, as one of the few who offered him support. “Inzamam-ul-Haq supported me a lot and was the only captain who did so,” Kaneria mentioned.
Asra Nomani, a former journalist for the Wall Street Journal, also spoke at the briefing, recalling the tragic abduction and murder of her colleague, Daniel Pearl, as a clear indicator of the dangers faced by minorities in Pakistan. She stressed the ongoing issue of sectarianism and its devastating consequences, saying, “I saw on the streets of Karachi, Pakistan, the tragic impact of sectarianism that is claiming too many minorities.”
In summary, the discussions at the Congressional briefing underscored the urgent need for addressing the discrimination faced by minorities in Pakistan. Danish Kaneria’s revelations highlight the difficulties that individuals such as himself have encountered due to their religious identity. The call to action both recognizes past injustices and advocates for a future where minority rights are respected and upheld.
Danish Kaneria’s account sheds light on the serious discrimination faced by minorities in Pakistan, particularly emphasizing his own experiences as a Hindu cricketer. His statements at the Congressional briefing highlight the broader systemic issues of inequality and persecution in the country. Support from influential figures like Inzamam-ul-Haq stands in stark contrast to the challenges posed by some peers, reinforcing the necessity for ongoing dialogue and advocacy for minorities’ rights in Pakistan.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
