Rights of Minorities in India and Pakistan: A Comparative Study

Abstract

At the verge of the independence, two separate dominions were established by the British Government on the basis of religion. Although two major communities are divided on religion, a large numbers of minorities are living at either nation. Pakistan constitutionally declared as Islamic Nation whereas India declared herself as secular nation. However, Muhammad Jinnah had guaranteed that minorities are free to profess and practice their religions and develop their cultures. Consequently, the Constitution of Pakistan guaranteed some basic rights and fundamental freedoms under the Constitution. Unfortunately, these constitutional guarantees were not implemented in reality inspite of Jinnah’s assurance. Presently, Pakistan is one of the most hostile states for the minorities in the world. The reasons behind that after 1977 Pakistan became more orthodox and tried to Islamized the entire nation and political campaigned was focused on religious hatred. This paper endeavors to comparatively analyze the status of minorities in India and Pakistan and their respective constitutional safeguards. It further focused on Constitutionalism which is original and real sprite of the nation towards execution of noble ideas on ground reality. Therefore, written constitution has a very little impact, it is the constitutionalism or the sprite and willingness of the political parties and people who govern the state and execute the rights in reality.