Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent Diwali wishes have ignited a firestorm of online backlash, with many citizens and observers pointing to the stark demographic decline and persistent discrimination faced by the Hindu community. Sharif’s message, intended to convey goodwill and shared prosperity, was quickly labeled as hypocritical by critics.
The Prime Minister’s statement, which read, “As homes and hearts are illuminated with the light of Diwali, may this festival dispel darkness, foster harmony, and guide us all toward a future of peace, compassion, and shared prosperity,” failed to resonate with those highlighting the community’s struggles.
Social media users expressed dismay, with some sarcastically noting the dwindling numbers of Hindus left in Pakistan, implying direct communication would be more effective than a public greeting. The sentiment that the government’s message was an attempt to “whitewash genocide” against minorities, including Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and Ahmadis, was also prevalent.
Data reveals a significant decrease in Pakistan’s Hindu population since 1947, when they represented about 15% of the total. Current estimates place them at just 1.63% of the population, totaling approximately 3.8 million out of 240 million.
This wave of criticism comes in the wake of alarming incidents. The 150-year-old Mari Mata Temple in Karachi was demolished in July 2023, and the significant Hinglaj Mata Mandir has faced repeated threats. Violence against Hindus, though fluctuating, remains a concern, with reported cases numbering 241 in 2022, dropping to 103 in 2023, and rising slightly to 112 by October 2024.
This official outreach also stands apart from the earlier pronouncements of Army Chief General Asim Munir, who emphasized the distinct identities of Pakistanis and Hindus based on the two-nation theory, stating, “We are two nations, we are not one nation.”