Скачать или смотреть The Politics of Heritage: Erasing History in Pakistan? | Indus Voices

What is Pakistani heritage? Is it something to be memorized for exams or something to be lived, questioned, and reclaimed?

In this compelling episode of Indus Voices, Usman Ahmed sits down with Ms. Aatiqa Sheikh, Assistant Professor at BNU and an expert in art education and cultural pedagogy. The discussion dives deep into the invisible erasures taking place within Pakistan’s heritage education system, especially regarding pre-Islamic sites and minority history.

From the Sikh samadi of Ranjit Singh to the shrines of 9-gazzay peers, from Hinglaj Mata Mandir to the tokenism faced by struggling artists, this podcast explores the ways in which heritage is often manipulated, erased, or made inaccessible, especially for the poor and marginalized communities in Pakistan.

Aatiqa argues that heritage must be lived, not laminated. With biting insight and thoughtful humor, she explains how Pakistan’s current approach to cultural education fails to represent Baloch, Sikh, Hindu, and regional identities, leading to a dangerously homogenized national narrative.

We also explore how Pakistani art, if done right, can be a tool for inclusion, for reimagining Muslim identity in modern times, and even for mending India-Pakistan relations through cultural diplomacy.

Topics include:

Pre-Islamic heritage and Pakistani identity

How minorities are erased through neglect of heritage sites

Elite control over heritage access

Multi-sensory classrooms and class divisions in education

Cultural tokenism vs. real representation

Why we must teach about Hinglaj Mata and Sikh sites

The politics of curriculum reform and Eurocentrism

ChatGPT, AI, and the next generation’s role

If you’re a liberal or progressive thinker in Pakistan, India, or the diaspora, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and inspire deeper questions.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Indus Voices for more podcasts on history, politics, and culture across South Asia.

0:00 Sneak Peek of the Episode
2:31 Who is Aatiqa Sheikh?
3:28 Heritage is rote memorisation?
5:02 Heritage: Banani hai ya dhoondhni?
5:40 9 Gazzay Peer in Lahore, Sialkot, Karachi
6:20 Ranjit Singh vs Minar-e-Pakistan?
7:39 Ignoring Pre-Islamic Pakistan?
9:17 Are We Erasing Minorities via Heritage Neglect?
11:29 Heritage for the Elite Only?
13:51 Ghareeb ka virsa kahan?
18:16 Multi-Sensory Learning: For All or Few?
24:41 Pakistan’s Soft Power Crisis
25:44 Baloch ka haal India ke Muslims jaisa?
27:21 Tokenism in Pakistani Art Scene
28:49 Can Pakistani Art Help Redefine Muslim Identity?
29:54 Indian artist ka sawal: Why no hard questions?
32:53 We Don’t Need Art Shows. We Need Engagement.
34:53 Sikh heritage sirf paperwork?
36:56 Hinglaj Mata Mandir: Why Is It Missing from Our Textbooks?
39:24 Inclusion zaroori kyun hai Pakistan ke liye?
41:26 Can We Be Modern Without Being Eurocentric?
45:23 Pakistan Needs Better Thinkers
49:00 Usman’s “Eternal Life” Offer to Aatiqa
50:46 Aatiqa’s Message: Don’t Let ChatGPT Do All the Thinking!
52:37 Can Art Mend Indo-Pak Relations?

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