Dr. Khatumal Jeewan, who has become Pakistan’s first Dalit Senator, was born in a remote village near the historic town of Umar Kot, the birthplace of Mughal emperor Akbar, and the commercial centre of desert zone communities. Jeewan received his medical degree from the Dow Medical College (DMC). When he joined the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP), it was probably these attributes which inspired leadership, and he was awarded a ticket to contest elections several times (traditionally, Hindu families would get ticket for elections). He was elected a Member, National Assembly (MNA) more than once, and worked for the well-being of the deprived Scheduled Castes in the province.
He was elected MNA for the first time in 1988 and re-elected in 1990, 1993 and 1997 on a reserved seat
He was against the joint electoral system (introduced by former President Musharraf) which helped Hindus under this system. Previously, there were four seats for Hindus/Scheduled Castes, four for Christians, one for Parsis, Budhists and Sikhs, and one for Ahmedi/Qadiani. As per the last census, there are 2.4 million Hindus in Pakistan of which 80% are Scheduled Castes. When the Hindus are not ready to tolerate the Scheduled Castes.
Even in the Islamic state of Pakistan, the minority Hindus are discriminating against Dalits.
Hindus insist that their animals should drink water first from the wells, and then Dalit women are allowed to fetch water. Dr. Jeewan has provided separate wells to about 300-400 villages in Thar and schools to each village in Mirpur Khas.
