Study Case

Major Religions in India and Pakistan. Religious Inequality and Discrimination

Olena Vasyliv

IS 210: Introduction to Asian Studies

Yuchao Zhu

April 8, 2013

Major Religions in India and Pakistan. Religious Inequality and Discrimination

India and Pakistan are two neighbouring South Asian countries which share colonization history, geography, and culture. The economical and political life of both countries strongly connects with their respective religious traditions and customs. Religion became the way of life and many Indians and Pakistanis associate themselves with a religion. For the majority of people, “religion permeates every aspect of life, from common-place daily chores to education and politics.” Both countries are the home to Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and many others world religions but not in both countries the foreign religions are truly welcome. Hindus and other religions in Pakistan treat differently than Muslims in India. Pakistan is country where religion freedom only exists on the paper and religions life is follows by persecution and intimidation. India is a non-Hindu State, where all religions are equal and where believers are tolerant to other religions. The dominant religion in India, however, remains Hinduism. Pakistan has a predominantly Muslim population. About over 80% of Indians are Hindus and around 97% of Pakistanis are Muslims. India is the birthplace of Hinduism and also developed religions such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism. The second largest religion spreading in India is Islam, with about 13.4% of the population. In Pakistan the second largest religion is Hinduism, with around 1.85% of citizens. Christianity, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism also get their followers in both countries. Religions strongly connect with the philosophy and spirituality of people with their individuality and social life organization. Every religious community has its own personal laws, rituals, and ways of...