Adil Najam
[UPDATE: Unfortunately the story of Gulab Singh has not been a pleasant one since the great start that this post originally reported on. Current, and still evolving details, here.]Â
A few days ago a reader sent me a link to a BBC story about Dr. Gulab Singh Shaheen who has been inducted into the Pakistan Punjab traffic police and has become a celebrity on the roads of Lahore where he is quite literally stopping the traffic as Lahoris stop to embrace and greet him.
I felt real good about the continuation of this trend towards reintegrating minority communities who have been systematically sidelined in the past, and even more about the wonderful reception Lahore is giving to Sub-Inspector Gulab Singh. And, of course, my fascination with traffic cops is well known to ATP readers (here, here, here, here, and elsewhere).
However, I hesitated because I wanted an on the ground confirmation. That came today from the Lahore Metroblog (yes, in general, I have more respect for the three Pakistani Metroblogs than for BBC!).
(By the way, I am intrigued by the fact that he is a homeopathic doctor since we had earlier carried another post and video report on the Khalsa Dawakhana and Hakim Sarbir Singh; of course, Sikhs have a long history in what is now Pakistan – here and here – but I wonder whether and why this community has a particular focus on traditional medicine studies).
It turns out, in fact, that Daily Times had a wonderful story on him last week which I had missed earlier. Here is what it said:
“Since yesterday, I have been hearing different greetings, such as sat sari kaal, jo bolay so nihal and ballay ballay from car and bus drivers, motorcyclists and children. Lahoris are really very loving people and these are unforgettable moments for me,” remarked Dr Gulab Singh, the first-ever Sikh to be appointed traffic police warden in Pakistan, in an exclusive interview with Daily Times.
Gulab, the 25-year-old Sikh traffic warden, who hails from Nankana Sahib and now lives in Defence Housing Authority, said that joining the force as a sub-inspector was a dream come true for him. Pledging to do his duty wholeheartedly, he said that the loving welcome he had received from the public had added to his joy. He said he had joined his duty station on Wednesday, and by the second day, dozens of children had forced their parents to stop the car so that they could meet him. Singh is deputed on Alif Laam Meem Chowk on Aziz Bhatti Road in Cantt.
Gulab said he was born in Nankana district in January 1982. His father, Manna Singh, is a farmer and a father of seven – five boys and two girls. Gulab is the youngest of the siblings. Gulab completed his matriculation in Nankana district, graudation in Lahore and then received a doctorate in homeopathy from Bahawalpur. Gulab said he also operated a homeopathic clinic, which he might have to shut down because of his new and demanding posting.
Gulab said he applied for the sub-inspector post when announcements inviting applications appeared in newspapers, but did not tell his family. He informed them only after he was appointed, which translated into a delightful surprise for them, he added. Commenting on his training process, Gulab said, “The attitude of my fellow trainees and officers was very good towards me. Nobody ever forced me to do anything against my religious beliefs.” He said he had no problems wearing his kara (bangle), or keeping his kirpan (dagger) on him. He added that, as he was a vegetarian, green meals were arranged for him in the mess during the training period. “I am very grateful to my officers for this gesture,” Gulab said.
Gulab is multilingual and has command over Urdu, Punjabi, Pashto, Seraiki, and Sindhi. He added, “I can also speak English, but not very fluently.” Gulab also said that he was fond of Punjabi bhangra music and that his favourite singers are Abrar-ul-Haq, Harbajhan Maan and Waris Baig. In terms of the future, Gulab said, “I will do my duty honestly, work like a true and dutiful citizen, and dream of a corruption-free atmosphere.”
It is a good development but we should not lose sight of context.
There is too much enthusiasm for symbolism in Pakistan sometimes. A woman pilot here, a hindu military officer there and a Sikh policeman in yet another place does not alter the overall reality of Pakistan.
We have created an overall environment of bigotry and prejudice and that won’t change just with symbolic acts. We need to review our attitude towards our religious minorities –Christians, Hundus and Sikhs most of whom have been driven out of the country during the last 60 years.
We must also rectify the great injustice done to the Ahmadis, who have been declared non-Muslim on demand of the mullahs without regard to the fact that the government should not have the right to define people’s religion for them.
Only a genuine return to rule of law and embrace of pluralism will change that.
Until then, enjoy saying hello on the street to Lahore solitary Sikh traffic constable.
[quote comment=”46090″]I 100% agree with Mr Alvi, may be someone agrees or not but Pakistanis have always shown big hearts for minorities.[/quote]
Zakoota, if by a big heart you mean majority has not killed every single minority member over years then I agree.
Start listening to minority opinion as to how they are treated (for a change) – instead of always putting majority words in their mouths – could be a step towards achieving a big heart.
I 100% agree with Mr Alvi, may be someone agrees or not but Pakistanis have always shown big hearts for minorities. There are a million of good examples, if you come across a few bad ones thats doesn’t justify the smaller examples. The western media projects the bad ones so huge that one living abroad feels as if all minorities are being mistreated. This is not true now and this was never true.
I am a product of a missionary school and I had 5 Christians and 1 Hindu in my class. I don’t think they ever got mistreated by any of us on the basis of their religion. Contrary to that all the minorities are mistreated elsewhere. Pakistanis are big hearted people and have always shown respect for all minorites. This sikh police officer is one small example.
Is he talking on his cell phone in the first picture and giving a ….er in the second one? sweet.
Just an FYI, our NYC new appointed top-cop is from Pakistan.
Thank you for highlighting this nice story.The important thing with this is that becasue he is alwasy in public eye it will shake people from belief that all Pakistanis are only Muslim. As someone says Pakistan for all Pakistanis.