Quicksplained: Who is Rajender Meghwar, Pakistan's first Hindu cop?

In a landmark achievement, Rajender Meghwar has broken new ground to become Pakistan’s first Hindu officer in the police force.

According to a report by Pakistan Today, Meghwar assumed his role as Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Faisalabad, one of the country’s largest cities, on Friday.

Speaking to The Times of India, a Hindu leader in Pakistan, highlighted the significance of this moment. He explained that while minority Hindus often face discrimination in the country, Meghwar’s appointment to the Pakistan Police Services (PPS) could play a crucial role in addressing the community’s concerns.

Here’s what we know about Pakistan’s first Hindu police officer.

• Rajender Meghwar hails from Badin, a rural and economically underprivileged area in Sindh province. He achieved his lifelong dream of joining the police force by successfully clearing the Civil Services Examination (CSS) this year.

• Meghwar expressed immense pride in fulfilling his ambition. He aims to serve not only his Hindu community but also other minority groups in Pakistan and create a “significant” impact.“Being in the police allows us to directly address the problems of the people, which we cannot do in other departments,” Meghwar told the Geo News.Pakistan, an Islamic Republic, is the fifth most populous country in the world. According to the 2023 census, Hindus form the largest minority group, making up 2 per cent of the country’s population of over 240 million (24 crore).

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• Meghawal’s appointment is also seen as a positive development by the Pakistani police force, who said this is the first time since the establishment of Punjab Police that a Hindu officer has been appointed to such an important post in Faisalabad.“We are fortunate to have a Hindu officer. His inclusion will promote inclusivity in the police,” a senior officer in the forces said.

• Krishan Sharma, representing the Pakistan Hindu Mandir Management Committee, shared his thoughts with The Times of India, emphasising the significance of this development.

• He noted the country’s police force has Hindu inspectors and sub-inspectors but not an officer.“He has not only made a significant achievement in his career but has also brought pride to the community,” Sharma said. He added that his achievement would inspire other youth of the community to follow in his footsteps.

• In other notable developments, five Hindu students — Roop Mati Meghwar, Pooja Oad, Suneel Meghwar, Jeevan Ribari, and Bheesham Meghwar — have also successfully passed the CSS exam, securing administrative and bureaucratic positions in Pakistan.

• Roop Mati, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan, aims to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where she hopes to promote a “positive” image of Pakistan on the global stage, according to Pakistan Today.

• Commenting on these accomplishments, Krishan Sharma remarked, “Their success is not just a personal triumph but an example of determination against the odds. Despite limited resources and facilities, these young Hindu students have proven that determination and hard work can overcome any barrier.”

• In 2022, Raja Rajinder also achieved a significant milestone by becoming an ASP after passing the CSS exam. Despite lacking basic amenities in his hometown of Badin, the 22-year-old dedicated a year to intensive preparation in Lahore and successfully earned one of the highest honours in Pakistan’s civil service.

With input from agencies