Danish Kaneria, Pakistan’s last Hindu cricketer, spoke about the discrimination he faced during his career at a Congressional briefing, urging U.S. intervention for minority rights in Pakistan. He highlighted that his professional journey was severely affected, asserting that he was pressured to convert to Islam by fellow players. Former journalist Asra Nomani supported his claims, sharing the tragic story of her colleague Daniel Pearl, who fell victim to sectarian violence.
Danish Kaneria, the last Hindu cricketer to represent Pakistan, discussed the detrimental impact of discrimination on his career during a Congressional briefing in Washington, D.C. He expressed that he was denied equal respect and faced significant personal and professional challenges in Pakistan, prompting him to advocate for intervention from the United States regarding the treatment of minorities in his home country.
At the event, Kaneria shared his personal experiences, stating, “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.” He stressed the consequences of discrimination on his career, saying, “I, too, have faced a lot of discrimination, and my career was destroyed. I did not receive the respect and equal value I deserved in Pakistan. Because of this discrimination, I am in the US today.”
Kaneria, who has played 61 Test matches for the national team, claimed that only Inzamam-ul-Haq, among his teammates, provided him with support during his career. He stated, “Inzamam-ul-Haq supported me a lot and was the only captain who did so. Shahid Afridi and many other Pakistan players troubled me a lot and didn’t eat with me. Shahid Afridi was the main person telling me to convert, and he did a lot of times.”
Asra Nomani, a former journalist, also spoke at the briefing, recalling the tragic story of her colleague Daniel Pearl, who was murdered in 2002 due to sectarian violence. She highlighted the plight of minorities in Pakistan, noting that they are often deprived of their rights and freedoms as citizens.
Nomani shared, “I saw on the streets of Karachi, Pakistan, the tragic impact of sectarianism that is claiming too many minorities. My friend and colleague, Daniel Pearl, was the journalist who was kidnapped, beheaded, and cut into pieces in 2002.”
Danish Kaneria’s testimony sheds light on the severe discrimination faced by minorities in Pakistan, illustrating how it has adversely impacted his career as a cricketer. His calls for U.S. intervention highlight a broader issue regarding the rights of minorities in Pakistan. Additionally, the contributions from Asra Nomani further emphasize the dangers and injustices faced by those who belong to marginalized communities.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
