By the Editor: Siddharth Sehgal
In Nubra Valley North East of Ladakh, there stands a 33 meter statue of Maitreya, the Buddha of the next kalpa, facing towards Pakistan. Maitreya signifies compassion and love but unfortunately the compassion of this awakened one is not reaching the other side.
Recently when Prime Minister Modi mentioned POK and Balochistan in his speech, Islamabad didn’t loose any time in crying foul. For those who are unfamiliar with issue of above mentioned states I’d recommend googling it out, but people living in these areas have bore the brunt of Pakistani atrocities for decades. For these states under Pakistan’s control development appears in government reports, economic prospects are flimsy if not down right absent and life under constant shadow of terrorism have marred any chances of future. People who raise their voice often disappear never to be seen again and authorities try hard not to let the word go out. Jammu Kashmir issue is often portrayed by Pakistan as a religious issue of Muslim minorities being oppressed by an infidel Hindu country but in Balochistan and POK the case is diametrically opposit, Islam is the predominant religion in these states yet no compassion is shown by Pakistani authorities towards their people. Religion is just an excuse; Pakistani govt. is like a jealous neighbour who would burn its own crop to set ablaze the neighbor’s harvest.
Minorities in Pakistan are in dire straits these days, Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis and countless others are persecuted for their beliefs. One might be arrested, tried and lynched on a rumor. Human rights activist or people who stand up for these vulnerable communities are strong armed or just simply shot in cold blood. World Community should take note of these things. India has always extended the hand of peace and friendship towards their eastern and western neighbors and I am sure there would be many Pakistani’s who would want things to be normalized between two countries but shallow motives and divisive extremist agendas have left little hope for a viable peace process.
Buddhist legends are sure about coming of Maitreya but they don’t know for sure when he’ll come but whenever he appears, I hope Kashmir and Balochistan will not be the bone of contention between two countries.