Another February 24
Today is February 24. Last year, on the same date, Rinkle was picked up from her house. Her house was left in a state that suggested that a burglary had occurred and valuables were stolen. Her dupatta and her chappals were left lying on the doorstep.
When she was first presented in a court in Mirpur Mathelo, she requested to be returned to her parents. The court, instead of listening to her, replied that she ‘was confused’ and therefore, should spend time reconsidering the predicament and handed her back to her abductors. It was as if the court was confused itself.
She was presented in court again on Feb 28, where, in her statement, she recited the kalma and became ‘Faryal Bibi’ from Rinkle. The entire process took less than 10 minutes. Her conversion to Islam was greeted by aerial firing by her captors who had brought her to court surrounded by armed guards. This was a new victory for them.
‘Faryal Bibi’ was then taken to Dargah Bharchondi’s seat-bearer and PPP’s Mian Mithu, while the gunfire echoed across the town. She was his guest and was taken to and from court surrounded by his guards. Actually, this victory was not the only feather in the dargah’s cap. The dargah’s deeds, ranging from the Manzalgah mosque that became famous for its role during the pre-Partition communal riots in Sindh to the assassination of the singer Bhagat Kunwar Ram of the Hindu faith, were oft repeated. The dargah commonly converted non-Muslims to Islam before the Partition and this exercise continues steadily today.
This dargah is an ideal example in endeavours to increase the Muslim population from every corner of Sindh, starting from the Thar Desert to Kashmore. Then, how was it possible for the tilak-anointed schoolmaster, Rinkle’s father to fight for his kidnapped daughter’s return in this godsend Islamic republic state? Such news usually reaches the ears of human rights organisations or the media, a nutcase or two then run towards the news source just like the mullah runs towards the mosque to take up the case and bring it to justice. Bibi Faryal was familiar with Islam. Either Naveed Shah’s ishq was at its peak or the matter really was one of kidnapping and force that was being blamed upon Bharchondi’s seat-bearer Mian Mithu.
When the hue and cry became unbearable, the dargah’s owners brought Bibi to Karachi Press Club (KPC). But what was she going to say here? The dargah’s guards sat in their vehicles outside while the owners sat beside her inside. Bibi Faryal, fearfully, publicly repeated the kalma and revealed herself to the masses. The incident fanned criticism and protests by the civil society further, due to which, the high court was forced to take notice of the case. In the chambers of Justice Bajwa, a Sindh High Court judge, Bibi said that she ‘had been wronged’. It is unknown whether she was able to say anything else or not.
On March 26, she kept shouting that the court should ‘send her back to her mother instead of the shelter house in the court no. 1 of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). But just like the judge in Mirpur Mathelo’s court, the IHC judge mistook her yelling for anxiety and sent her to a shelter house instead of back to her mother so that she may, once again, reconsider her ‘predicament’. Unable to hug her weeping mother (as she was led away by female police women as if she were the criminal), at least she managed to tell her one thing,
“Mother, who are you asking for help? This country belongs to the Muslims. Everyone from the bottom to the top is an accomplice.”
Rinkle Kumari’s mother seeks justice at the Karachi Press Club. -Photo by author
This wasn’t the lament of the newly-converted Faryal but that of Rinkle whose voice had been suppressed amidst the noise in the courtroom. The next statement was taken in the registrar’s office instead of a courtroom and the newly-converted girl was sent home under police custody.
It was an end to the court’s story but just the beginning of a tale of pain and despair as no one expected any justice from any court. After Rinkle, it was the turn of Asha, Lata, Arvna, Devi and Bhagwanti. The chain of such events had changed so much.
Once, an uncle of another girl Durga came and showed me her birth certificate. Her date of birth was 2001. She was a minor who had been kidnapped from the street. About three days later, the news that she had converted to Islam was published in local newspapers. Her upset uncle asked me if there was any court in this land that would fight his case.
The grandmother of another minor girl, Vijanti from Umerkot who had been raped, broke down as she said that she would migrate to India with her granddaughter and their entire family if they didn’t get the justice they deserved. Their food and water was diminishing. Meanwhile, the Pakistani nation had wrapped itself in the coat of the Muslim ummah and had begun travelling on the road where there was no section for the identification of non-Muslim Pakistanis.
Another February 24 has arrived. The students of influential dargahs and/or madrassas are entering their youth. O you kafirs, protect your girls! The era of ulfat-e-Islam is about to begin for them as the list of young girls, newly-converted to Islam, is being prepared.
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The writer is an activist and columnist who struggles to fit in society.
The views expressed by this blogger and in the following reader comments do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Dawn Media Group.
This is surprising but not unusual. I believe that there are not many countries in the world where minorities are not being exploited. The Muslims living in India claim that they are being denied of their rights and same is the case with Pakistan. No country’s constitution deprives the minorities of their basic rights. And this trend has also nothing to do with the religion. It’s the government and the higher authorities who are responsible for what’s happening in the country.
It is utterly shocking but still nothing new. Cases like these have been happening in the country not only with the minorities but with the Muslim girls as well where they are abducted and raped. Such incidents are seldom reported and even if they are, there exist minimal chances of any justice being given to the victim. While Pakistani Muslims have no other option, the alternative for the minorities is to migrate to their native lands.
Are you kidding me?
This is the respect which can be given by bad people who say they give lot of respect to Women
what a shame !!
This is rubbish.The court should return her to her parents. She was taken at gun point and change here religion. What should it happen? if the same practice is done in Indian with Muslim virgin ladies. If people are forces there to convert in Hindu So what can anybody do here in Pakistan? Don’t forget to know that the Muslims are more in India than Pakistan. So will we bear this, that Muslims kidnap our Hindu girls rape them and at the end change there religion and matter is over……..
Who should be thought about it to calm the atmosphere in Pakistan & Indian?
Thanks Madam Amar Sindhu for taking issue back and highlighting issues of minorities in Pakistan, these are only few cases which had comes out on media and indeed media had given better coverage, civil society plays its role but resultantly girls could not rescued from such abductees and that is happening continuously.
Media still needs to strengthen its mechanism so that lot of such cases of penniless people could also be registered though even courts are not supportive.
as far as i remember Rinkle Kumari converted by her choice and that was also the court verdict.
all those guys who are behind this know nothing about islam ….
these guys are actually group of idiots and they dont know that by doing this they are actually spoiling the name of islam
it is not the way of our religion and no one should blame islam or whole muslim ummah because of these guys …
They can not spread Islam by love and compassion but through violence and force conversions. I don’t know which prophet they are following. Who care the laws of the land which are different for the weak and powerful. In this Muslims majority, minorities have no rights. If I was a Hindu, I would have moved to India long time ago. Why I had to go through this non sense every day..
Im ashamed of my country.
shame on you pakis
There is no justice for the minorities in Pakistan even for Shia Muslims I think Hindus need to migrate to India to preserve their faith and identity
Rinkle is so stunningly beautiful anyone in true love should have converted to Hinduism for her. The Great Pashto poet Ghani Khan’s poem translated in English says “My beloved is Hindu and I am Muslim, for her love I clean the temple everyday”
How can ANYONE become a MUSLIM by just reciting one sentence.
Any genuine conversion from on faith to another is a long process.
What is the value of such *conversion* in the eyes of GOD~~~~~~~~~~~~~zero value !!!
Shame on Muslims that a poor girl is tortured like this, it can happen only in Muslim country, where people will support any criminal just because he is Muslim and leave behind any needy non Muslim since he is non muslim
so sorry for the plight of non-muslims, they should be treated equally atleast if not better….when will the government act?
its very sad to read the article/news, but you cant expect anything good from a coutry who is governed by corrupt politicions like ours but ruled by fanatics mullahs….. in india if such thing happen(muslim being forcibly abducted and married and converted to islam) their would be mini riots… what i have seen from the world around, if anything wrong or even correct thing( incorrect from muslims who call themselves the protector of islam) is said about islam, the muslim people make a big issue of it but if they do anything wrong towards other religion thas ‘OK’ by them
It has nothing to do with Islam. It is PAKISTAN! Pakistanis have become an obsessed nation and need to get a grip on life. WAKE UP!
I agree with Aizaz that this has nothing to do with Islam. Pakistan has become a nation of illiterate, religious extremists a majority of whom do not understand, or even care to make an effort to understand, the religion they claim to uphold. No where else in the Muslim world does one see such blatant injustices in the name of Islam.
The silent majority of those that do not agree with such shows of exteremism or injustice need to stand up and fight againsts these perpetrators otherwise that day isn’t far when these religious stalwarts and “seat and flag berarers” will find an excuse to maim or kill anyone who isn’t 100% aligned with their brand of Islam.
The hardliners cab show very easily that whatever they do is in accordance with Islam.
It looks like a political gimmick to defame Islam.
It has everything to do with Islam. Islam is what it does through Muslims. Rest of the world is tired with the refrain, ‘It is not Islam’.
You are wrong sir. Look deeper into the religion. It teaches hatred.
Its a shame for every Muslim and every Pakistani. These Gaddi-nasheens (Seat-bearers) are now Barrahman’s of muslim who want to use islam in which ever way suits them. I think they have forgotten completely that Prophet (PBUH) have clearly “ordered security of monirities living in muslim societies and who so ever will harm minorities will find Prophet (PBUH) himself standing in favor of the non-muslim in judgement day”
Till the time we dont stop these kinds of injustices we will never be forgiven by Allah and His wrath will keep on coming informs of Earthquakes and Tsunamis … shame on all of us…….
May Allah show us the right path. Ameen
Allah gave us the greatest gift of all – a mind that can reason. That is why we are the ‘best of HIs creations’.
Using His gift is the only way to get us out of this misery – and not just hoping that He will intervene. What are we doing to deserve His divine intervention.
It is sad, that we have yet not been able to correctly understand the teachings of our religion. Can some person post the list of the turning points in the History of Islam?
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very cool..so muslims converting hindus…is fault of muslims acting like brahmins…
any more new conspiracy theories in pakistan? …wake up own up …dont be in denial
An article replete with fallacies.
Please enlighten us with One.
Hussain is the name which signifies justice. Atleast be just!
You look to be delusional
Please explain why it is a fallacy, in your view.
I await your explanation.
More like an attempt to rile up emotions among the uneducated.
Can’t face the truth?
true. Another of Dawn’s pseudo secular and India pleasing article.
Minds like yours is the main reason why pakistan is burning today. Any humane person will see and accept the injustices against these defenseless young girls. Allah as you say sees all including your comment. The poor and defenseless in all societies continue to suffer.
A mind closed to realities.
And Mr. Jinnah assured that rights of minorities would be protected in Pakistan where even muslims are not safe today.
Jinnah did not know that Islam will ruin Pakistan.
He was just a man – not a God’s messenger.
I totally agree with you.
All those involved in this despicable crime must be arrested and locked up.
This has nothing to do with Islam.
The law of the land must get provide protection and justice to the minorities in Pakistan.
Jinnah ? Jinnah who ?
amar i know u are courageous .i have been reading ur sindhi articles with interest when icame to know that is woman from my area my land already produced marvi who was also kidnnaped. atleast i feel proud of you for openness and courage .are u related to comarade nago manjiani
Another day and once more I am ashamed of being a Pakistani. Truly disgusted.
Ditto!
Kudos to Amar for showing some backbone.
i am a muslim myself. this is a true story, we should accept the reality and stope harassing minorities and non-muslims in the name of Islam.
siddique
Very well said, at least one of you is telling the truth.
It is shame for human race . Converting weak minorities and this is what has happened in medival period of Islamic rules . Lot of muslims ancestors of India were forcefully converted to Islam . Please see yourself Muslims , how your ancestors were converted into past . It is eye openor . It could not bestoped in 21st century of modern era . What to say about barbaric method used centuries back .
This is how Islam has spread , it is true for some percetage of Muslim population .
Kumar
If you were Muslim you would know that this story is false from the get go. Even if you were not a Muslim but an intelligent person you would know that it does not add up and is false.
You are courageous…..