The Hindu Gymkhana in Karachi, Pakistan, is likely to get out of the hands of the Hindu community permanently shortly. This is a distinct possibility now, as Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa has refused to accept a plea by Hindus that they should be allowed to use it exclusively. The claims and arguments of the Hindu side were rejected by a three-judge Bench of the Supreme Court headed by Justice Isa.
The counsel for the Hindu Community’s Welfare Association wanted an adjournment in the hearing to prepare more arguments in the case. However, Justice Isa rejected the request and also made it clear that the Gymkhana would not be handed over to the Hindu side as its exclusive preserve for “social, cultural, and religious activities’’. It bears mention here that Hindu Gymkhana, originally spread over 47,000 square yards, was constructed by Seth Ram Gopal Das in 1925. It was then developed as a club meant only for Hindus living in Karachi at that point of time.
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There are very few Hindus living in Karachi at present, and they have pleaded in court that the Hindu Gymkhana should be given to them. The Hindus had said that they had no place in Karachi to gather and celebrate their religious festivals. Hindu Member of National Assembly (MNA) Ramesh Kumar pointed out in court that the name of Bhagwan Ram is written at many places in the building. He also said that there is a place of worship within the premises.
Justice Isa, however, refused to accept his arguments and remarked that the mere writing of religious words on walls did not mean a building was a religious place. Presently, the area of the Hindu Gymkhana has shrunk to barely 4,500 square yards, less than 1/10th of its original size. This has happened because of allotments left, right and centre by various authorities, including handing a large part of it to the National Institute of Performing Arts (NAPA) by General Pervez Musharraf.
The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) of President Asif Zardari had led protests at that time against Musharraf’s decision. However, even though PPP rules the province of Sindh presently, the party has not helped the cause pleaded by Hindus. Before PANA occupied the premises, the efforts by various Hindu leaders and raising of the issue in the National Assembly had led to it being declared a heritage site.
After the partition in 1947, the premises have been used by the Federal Service Commission, Evacuee Property Trust and other entities, according to a government lawyer. He said that during such a time, none of the Hindu associations had claimed ownership or possession of the property. He submitted that the Hindu Gymkhana was given to it on a 30-year lease to PANA.
The court observed that it is concerned about the rights of the Hindu community but will not allow Hindu Gymkhana buildings to be occupied by the Hindu association. The court said the association had nothing to do with the affairs of the Hindu Gymkhana. The court inquired from MNA Ramesh Kumar as to why he wanted to separate the Hindu community as they were also a part of society.
In the past, the Hindus have tried time and again to gain possession of the Hindu Gymkhana. The first agitation for this purpose was started in 1960, then in 1971, and a decade ago, in 2014, the Hindu community mobilised support for their cause, but to no avail. When the Supreme Court announces its final decision, it may be curtains for them for all time to come.
