KARACHI, PAKISTAN, September 5, 2011 (Pakistan Today): The recent catastrophic monsoon has postponed Hindu saint Rama Pir’s annual mela – the biggest gathering of Dalit Hindus in Pakistan – besides destroying standing crops, houses, bridges, schools and healthcare facilities; killing people, livestock and wildlife; and damaging heritage sites and government buildings.
Months ago, a large number of lower caste Hindus — officially declared as scheduled caste Hindus by the Pakistani government — started walking several miles to participate in the three-day annual gathering or mela, which was supposed to start on Tuesday. However, Rama Pir Sheva Mandli in-charge Kaka Ishwar Das Utoomal announced on Monday that due to the recent torrential rains, the mela has been postponed and rescheduled for October 6.
Despite the devastation caused by the monsoon, a large number of Dalit Hindus have reached the town of Tando Allahyar, where the 400-year-old historical Rama Pir temple is located, and thousands are still on their way.