Karachi : A Hindu reporter in Pakistan has been allegedly forced to drink water from a separate glass at his workplace after his colleagues found out that he belonged to the scheduled caste.
Sahib Khan Oad works as a senior reporter with government news agency, Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).
The discriminatory attitude reportedly started after his younger son, Raj Kumar, visited his office and everyone in the office found out that he was Hindu.
“Actually my name contains the word ‘Khan’ so everyone in the office initially thought I was Muslim.The bureau chief asked me to separate my drinking water glass in the office because some colleagues had reservations,” the Express Tribune quoted him, as saying.
According to reports, since Ramazan started, Oad’s work environment worsened and he is not even allowed to sit at the same dining table at the time of Iftar.
His senior colleagues have suggested him to bring his own plates and glasses if he wants to eat in the office.
“I have now bought a separate glass and plate for the office,” he said.
Associated Press of Pakistan’s Karachi bureau chief Parvez Aslam has denied making any such request.
“He was suffering from flu so we suggested he arrange a separate glass,” he said.
Aslam instead pointed out that he supported Oad when he was transferred from Hyderabad and called the discrimination charges ‘total propaganda’
Meanwhile, the managing director of AAP, Masood Malik said that they have started inquiry into the matter.
Pakistan Institute of Labour Education and Research (Piler), an organisation that works for labour rights, has also written a letter to Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid against the discriminatory attitude. (ANI)