Attack on Hindus prompts blasphemy case in Pakistan
Police officer Mohammad Hanif said Muslims protesting an anti-Islam film on Sept. 21 ransacked the Sri Krishna Ram temple in a Hindu neighborhood on the outskirts of the southern city of Karachi. — Dawn File Photo
KARACHI: A group of Muslims suspected of ransacking a Hindu temple in southern Pakistan may be charged with blasphemy, police said Sunday.
The case is a rare twist on the use of the country’s blasphemy laws, which are more often invoked against supposed offenses to Islam as opposed to minority faiths.
The laws, sections of which carry the death penalty or life imprisonment, have drawn renewed international scrutiny this year after a young Christian girl in Islamabad was alleged to have desecrated the Muslim holy book, the Quran.
A Muslim cleric Qari Mohammad Khalid Jadoon now stands accused of fabricating evidence against the girl, who has been freed on bail and whose mental capacity has been questioned.
Police officer Mohammad Hanif said the anti-Hindu attack took place Sept. 21.
The government had declared that day a national holiday –a ”Day of Love for the Prophet”– and called on people to demonstrate peacefully against a US-made anti-Islam film that has sparked protests throughout the Muslim world.
Those rallies took a violent turn in Pakistan, and more than 20 people were killed.
Hanif said dozens of Muslims led by a cleric converged on the outskirts of Karachi in a Hindu neighborhood commonly known as Hindu Goth.
The protesters attacked the Sri Krishna Ram temple, broke religious statues, tore up a copy of the Bhagavad Gita, a Hindu scripture, and beat up the temple’s caretaker, Sindha Maharaj.
”The attackers broke the statues of (Hindu deities) Radha, Hanuman, Parwati and Krishna, and took away the decorative gold ornaments,” Maharaj said. ”They also stormed my home and snatched the gold jewelry of my family, my daughters.”
Maharaj and other Hindu leaders turned to the police, who registered a case against the cleric and eight other Muslims.
But none of the suspects had been found as of Sunday, Hanif said.
The police officer said the case against the attackers was registered under Section 295-A of the blasphemy laws, which covers the ”outraging of religious feelings.”
That section of the law can carry a fine or up to 10 years imprisonment, but, if the case were to proceed, it’s unclear exactly what punishment would be imposed.
Court decisions in the past have often confused what penalties should be applied in blasphemy cases in Pakistan. And although many blasphemous acts are said to require the death penalty, Pakistan is not known to have executed anyone under the law. Still, many of the accused have been killed by extremists outside the courts.
Human rights activists say the blasphemy laws are too broad and vague, and that they often are used by people seeking to settle scores with rivals, or as a means of targeting Christians, Hindus and other members of minority religions.
Islamic conservatism, as well as extremism, is on the rise here, and even speaking out against the blasphemy laws can put people in danger.
Two prominent politicians, Salman Taseer and the sole Christian member of the federal Cabinet Shahbaz Bhatti, were assassinated in 2011 for urging reform of the law.
I didn’t know that Blasphemy law was meant to protect non-Muslim Gods also. By the way, Hindu Gods don’t need the protection of a Blasphemy law. They are strong enough on their own. But Hindu temples do need protection from vandals and looters. By the way, I think the looters of the Karachi temple will most probably be declared heroes by the mullahs.
Let us know if you can jailed any of the culprit….nothing will happen to them I bet.
No one can say anything wrong about our prophet but we can go and do the same to other religions. Great followers of Islam! Ah! the moderates are saying that’s not us.
My parents bought a book from a temple premises when I was a child and gave it to me. It included stories of great men. That was the first time I read about the great prophet of Islam, that book is still with me. If what I read from that book is correct ( and I am sure that is correct ) then forgiveness is biggest virtue and the only way to God.
Now you re in business.. right step in right direction.. Awesome show of commitment!
It’s just a hogwash given that Pakistan has brought up a Blasphemy law in the UNHRC.
And, these observations in the above story explain the whole thing:
“But none of the suspects had been found as of Sunday”
“but, if the case were to proceed, it’s unclear exactly what punishment would be imposed.”
So, even if the attackesr were found and the case did go on, take it from me the accused will be set free by the judiciary!
Unlike in the case of the minority blasphemy accused who are killed by mobs, there is no question these people will be harmed in any way.
Even if nothing comes of the charges against the nine Muslims, it is wonderful to see that headline.
Chilling words. ‘Islamic Conservatism, as well as extremism, is on the rise here,…’
Your country has a lot to lose, but they will kill those who speak out. Silence, is such fertile ground for the growth of ‘Islamic Conservatism as well as extremism.’ It is a dilemma and I can’t think of one thing to say – in the way of advice that is. Perhaps the silence has gone on for too long a time. Is there anything we can do now?
Like the lawyers, I suppose we could try throwing flowers when future violence occurs.
A similar case should be registered against those who burnt a Church in Mardan during anti-Islam film rally. Can the Chief Minister of Pakhtunkhawa please respond or take action against the culprits?
The minister lost his tongue, didn’t you hear!
Minorities should be treated like your guests and not like your enemies. The guy who made the film is a christian migrant from Egypt and that does not mean that destroy worship places and properties of the minorities. The minorities in Pakistan is scared of the majority Sunnis. They have nothing to do with the movie.
Don’t insult minorities by calling them guests. They are as much the owners of the nation as the majority community.
Minorities in Pakistan are enjoying their rights. One or two minor incidence do not depicts there are no rights for them. These are nothing compared with the hate of Hindu leaders against Muslims and 1992-1993 incidences in India.
The Aam muslim has never had guts to protect minorities because they have never spoken against their own fundamentalists. If pakistan is the land of the pure than the pure must rise. We as global citizens should prosecute these who defiled Bhagwan Ram. All of you in Pakistan or your ancestors were hindus at some point in time. Respect is better than Disrespect.
Amen
A ray of hope in pitch dark clouds.
i am not surprised.. what else pakistani muslims can do.. gr8 job pakistani muslims..
Don’t believe it yet, untill you see the culprits apprehanded and trial proceedings and a justice served. There is a long way to go on this one. I am sure these people will not be executed outside the courthouse, but would they recieve garlands and turned into heroes it yet to be seen.
A Pakistani in Canada.
Tearing of Quran leads to worldwide violence. Tearing of Bhagwad Geeta leads to mock FIR case. But hats off to Pakistani media for reporting this incidence. Unfortunately, no Hindu leaders in India showed their protest against this shameful incidence. Disgusting!!
Good Job Pakistan . From an indian in dubai !!
Better late than never; “Blasphemy law” as one sided is now recognized… Hope the forceful and inducement conversions should also be considered as blasphemy… It will be in the best interest of growth, development. and prosperity of Pakistan.
shame on you people , such hyprocrisy ? This is how you register your complaint ? by violating other religions ? too much for religion of peace i guess. If you have guts , dawn, publish it.
Two words about enlightened India, “babri mosque”. Not justifying any violence against any religion but Indians do not spare any opportunity either. South Asians are corrupt by nature, hindus and Muslims both.
Ali, Babri Masjid was never a masjid and probably you know in your heart too. It was a hindu temple and demolished by early Islam invasion in India and Hindus are asking it back. They did not demolish any Mosque that a muslim community built from ground up.
I hope you accept that Anceint India was never home of Islam and in fact Hindus gave shelter and food to Islam for any reason could be and most probably due to fear of being beheaded.
Also you can say anything but Indians ( does not matter hindu, indian muslims ….) are first choice by a employer in west, middle east. Most of the white coller jobs goes to them. The reason is they respect other religions are worship their work.
Well said
have to agree to good sense.
Two wrongs don’t make a right Ali. Indians are still far better, well educated and understanding. By the way I am not an Hindu or an Indian but a Pakistani Muslim.
What Babri Mosque? Who gave Babar the permission to build a mosque in a country of Hindus?
When will you stop wrong propaganda ? Babri Mosque was only half built and was never used as a mosque.It was a contested sight during Wajid Ali Shah and locked since British took over state of Avadh. It was built by demolishing an ancient temple.How can you be so selfish and partial to claim that all are same?.
Man u r comparing 1000 years of pillage with one Babri and then u will say Gujrat conviniently forgetting who started it ?
Babri Mosque demolition was done by a mob after courts failed to correct a wrong after more than 50 years of litigation. That, however justified, was condemned by each and every section of Indian society. That is enligthened India. Let alone any of the Islamic countries, but even any of the western countries can not come even close.
Ali: I totally agree with you. At times I feel that WE made the religions to express our hatred and not love yet we call them the religions of love. Had there been no Hindus or Christians, they would have picked the Ahmadis or other Muslim minorities. May I just ask one question? When was the last time these clergies or the Bajrang dals etc took out procession to express their love for any one including their own faith? Sadly, had their been one, how many would join? These processions are only to express their hatred.
I admire Dawn for publishing such stories.
Well said Ali Abbas…those demolished Babri are not only free but still in power..Babri is one of the greatest Shame…WE apologize once again
after wiping out; this sympathy…. shame
very good step. Equal rights for all.
What a pathetic nation this has become! No regards for lives and properties or respect for other people or their religion. Exactly opposite to what Islam teaches. These criminals are just that-criminals. They wait for this type of opportunity to show that they are the evilest of all evils. Sad!
What would be the future of a nation that doesn’t respect its ancient heritage?
I sincerely hope this becomes the first blasphemy case to end up with the death penalty. Minorities need protection and not majorities. and hopefully the government can set an example with this case so no one dares to commit such a heinous crime in the future
When some non Muslim commit crime against our Holy Quran, we do not hesitate to punish, then we are not tough for those people commit crimes against Hindu or any other religion?
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