Zardari's Tolerant Rhetoric Falls Flat Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari's recent comments on his country's Hindu minority have sparked a heated debate, with veteran Indian screenwriter and lyricist Javed Akhtar leading the charge in criticism.
While Zardari's comments were meant to highlight the coexistence of Hindus in Pakistan, they instead revealed a disturbing insensitivity towards the community.
Zardari's statement that "we tolerate 3 4 per cent Hindu population in Pakistan" is particularly egregious, implying that the minority's presence is only acceptable as long as it remains small and manageable.