Pakistan News And Discussion-13

[Naresh]

<!--QuoteBegin-thayilv+Nov 10 2007, 10:37 AM-->QUOTE(thayilv @ Nov 10 2007, 10:37 AM)<!--QuoteEBegin-->I don't get it guys....why all the sudden enthusiasm in celebrating a kuffar festival? Has the emergency declaration rattled them that badly?
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<b>thayilv :</b>

Pakistani Muslims' enthusiasm for celebrating a kuffar festival? What an Oxymoron!

[center]<b><span style='color:red'>“Love - Tolerance” of Hindus by The Peaceful Religion to the Fore!</span></b>[/center]

[center]<b><span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>Justice Bhagwandas held in solitary confinement on Dewali</span></b>[/center]

ISLAMABAD : While Hindus worldwide were celebrating Dewali on Friday all, the only Hindu and one of the senior-most judges of the Supreme Court of Pakistan spent the day alone, under house arrest and solitary confinement because he has refused to support what he considers unconstitutional action by the “military regime”.

Sacked Justice Rana Bhagwandas, who refused to take oath under Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) promulgated on November 3, remained confined was not allowed to even visit his brother’s home here in G-10 on one of the holiest days of the Hindu calendar.

All this runs contrary to on-the-record statements issued by the attorney general (AG) that all judges are free to move wherever they want, and that there are no formal restrictions on their mobility. Questions are also arising with regards to the claims and portrait of President General Pervez Musharraf as a torch bearer of religious tolerance and harmony.

Bhagwandas happens to be a very religious person. He has never missed his religious festivals. He told Daily Times on the phone: “I used to participate in Dewali every year in Karachi with my family, relatives and associates. This year I am not even allowed to celebrate it with my brother or community in Islamabad.”

He said chief justices used to facilitate him by scheduling sittings for him in the Karachi registry bench before Dewali every year.

On Thursday, the government offered him a mobile squad that would escort him on Friday if he wanted to move about in the city. He told a district magistrate that he planned to visit his brother’s house in G-10 and two other places within the city.

After hearing him out, Bhagwandas said the magistrate talked to the city’s deputy commissioner, who contacted the senior government officials, and finally denied his request. He said he was told that he could go to Karachi.

“I had no plan to leave the city. I just wanted to visit some friends and my brother’s family in Islamabad and worship with them but they [the government] did not allow me,” he said.

Bhagwandas, who has stayed calm during his house arrest, which has lasted for one week and counting, said his morale was still high.

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