Malala Yousafzai, Pakistan’s activist for girls education who miraculously survived a bullet to the head from the militant Taliban in October 2012. She recently attended a virtual event held in Jaipur. The event was hosted by Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF), in which many famous authors, activists and public figures from all over the world were present virtually.
The Nobel prize winner while speaking in her book “I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban,” expressed her feelings about India Pakistan’s relation. She said the border disputes between the two countries are not going to lead anywhere. She wants to see both countries become good friends so that neighbours can visit each other’s countries. She further said, the main problem of both countries is poverty and issues of minorities. Malala believes both countries should join hands to fight these issues together.
Further, the activist expressed, “This old philosophy of borders, divisions and divide and conquer. They just don’t work anymore, as humans we all want to live in peace”. She continues speaking on the recent arrest of Indian activists protesting for Farmers. Malala said, “You may not like their political opinion but it does not mean that you put them in jails and arrest them. It is a democratic right of every individual — including women and girls — to highlight their political opinions. So I hope that the government makes sure that people can protest peacefully and ask for their rights, and that they are heard”.
Later on, Malala even spoke about how minorities are treated all around the world. She says minorities are present in every corner of the world, be it Hindus, Christians, Muslims or any other religions. They are at risk and Human right councils should do something in saving them. Malala says, minority problem isn’t about religion but instead, it’s about Elite vs poor’s.
“Minorities are at risk. Minorities rights are not given to them. Be it Hindus and Christians in Pakistan, Muslims, Dalits and other minorities in India … Palestinians, Rohingya refugees. It is not a religion, it is the exploitation of power, it is just elites vs the poor and minorities” said Malala.