For the first time in history, Pakistan Army promoted two Hindu officers to the ranks of Lieutenant Colonel. As a result, this makes them the highest serving Hindu officers in the Pakistan Army.
According to details, Major Dr. Kelash Kumar and Major Dr. Aneel Kumar have been promoted to the post of Lieutenant Colonel. To clarify, Pakistan Army Promotion Board approved their promotions.
Most importantly, the move is gaining mass appreciation on social media. Consequently, support for the appointment of Lt. Col. Dr. Kelash Kumar and Lt. Col. Aneel Kumar started circulating on Twitter with people lauding religious inclusivity at such a high-reputed institution. Furthermore, Twitteratis also said the officers proudly represent the white part of the Pakistani flag.
Read more: Pakistan Army ranked 9th most powerful in the world
Subsequently, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry congratulated Lt. Col. Dr. Kelash Kumar. Additionally, he also called him the pride of Pakistan. Important to note, Dr. Kelash Kumar became the first Hindu Officer promoted to Lt. Col. After that, news also spread of Lt. Col. Aneel Kumar’s appointment.
Congratulations #KelashKumar you are our pride…. #pakarmyzindabad https://t.co/oRDUGu8clU
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) February 25, 2022
Similarly, Hindu activist Kapil Dev also congratulated Lt. Col. Dr. Kelash Kumar and Lt. Col. Aneel Kumar over the appointments.
“What a day to share such rare and good news,” Kapil Dev tweeted.
Congratulations Aneel Kumar on being promoted as Lt Colonel in #PakArmy. He & Kelash Kumar both got promotions.
What a day to share such rare and good news. #PakistanForAll pic.twitter.com/sKyIIixHXz
— Kapil Dev کپل دیو (@KDSindhi) February 25, 2022
Lt. Col. Dr. Kelash Kumar and Lt. Col. Aneel Kumar belong to the Medical Corps. The former was born in 1981 in Tharparkar and joined Pakistan Army in 2008 meanwhile the latter was born in 1982 in Badin and joined Pakistan Army in 2007.
Pakistan supporting the Hindu community
Pakistan’s institutions have time and again taken measures to fully support its Hindu community. To sum up, Hindus form the biggest minority community in Pakistan. Moreover, according to official statements, around 7500,000 Hindus live in Pakistan. However, they mostly reside in the province of Sindh.
Therefore, the government ensures that there is an equal representation. Moreover, it also ensures that the Hindu community gets to contribute to Pakistan’s future.
For instance, back in 2018, Krishna Kumari Kohli became the first-ever elected Hindu Dalit Senator from Sindh, Pakistan. Additionally, in 2019, she also chaired the session on International Women’s Day. Furthermore, earlier this month, she presided over a Senate Session on Kashmir in Pakistan.
Read more: Hindu senator, Krishna Kumari, chairs senate session on Kashmir