Author: IANS
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: July 1, 2009
http://www.dailypioneer.com/186316/Advani-airs-concern-at-jizya-on-Hindus-Sikhs-in-Pakistan.html
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader
LK Advani has expressed concern at Taliban-imposed jizya - protection money
being forcibly collected from religious minority in Pakistan - and urged the
Indian Government to take steps "to prevent hardships and persecution
of Hindus and Sikhs" in that country.
"The BJP urges the Indian government
to take all necessary steps with the government of Pakistan to prevent any
further hardships and persecution of the Hindus and Sikhs in that country,"
the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said Wednesday.
Taliban militants in the North Western Frontier
Province of Pakistan, where they have a stronghold, have asked religious minorities,
including Christians, to pay an extra tax known as jizya in return of their
protection.
Advani in a statement said: "The BJP
urgently calls upon the Pakistan government to protect the lives and properties
of the Hindus and Sikhs in Pakistan and to ensure that they are safeguarded
and that they are not subjected to any discrimination and harassment."
"The BJP is greatly concerned at reports
emanating from Pakistan that the Taliban has asked to pay a jizya tax of Rs.6
million," he said.
"This is a direct outcome of the highly
pampered existence that the Taliban have enjoyed, till very recently in Pakistan,
in terms of which they have enjoyed the patronage of important organs of the
state," Advani said.
