A nineteen-year-old Hindu boy from Mirpur Khas’s Mirwah Gorchani area is the latest victim of our unjust laws. The young man allegedly posted ‘highly controversial’ statements on Facebook; and a local prayer leader’s complaint led to his arrest. Locals claimed that it was the conversion of his sister Ganga that drove the young Hindu boy to issue problematic statements. He has been charged under section 295-A which entails punishment of those who insult religious feelings.
Sections of Pakistan’s penal code have been heavily criticised by all and sundry, for they enable the violations of human rights, and incite prejudice in the country. Due to its ambiguous wording, the blasphemy laws lead to multiple interpretations. Efforts to review the laws have not been successful for they have been met with stiff and sometimes violent resistance.
Also Read: What about the minorities?
There are over seventy-five lakh Hindus, approximately two million five hundred thousand Christians and around six hundred thousand Ahmadis living in Pakistan, among other smaller religious communities. Many live in constant fear and sometimes even face harassment. The mindset promoted by such laws, instances of violence against non-Muslims and even some Muslim sects such as Ismailis and Shias have increased.
While the adolescent Hindu boy sits in judicial remand for fourteen days, we cannot help wonder if our Prime Minister in waiting Imran Khan and his party Pakistan — Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) will change their stance on these laws and find ways to end the misuse of laws. On the positive side, there is increased awareness about the way intolerance has grown and needs to be tackled. The civil-military leaders had shown determination while formulating the National Action Plan against terrorism. It is time to renew that pledge and implement the NAP in its letter and spirit. While doing so, the discriminatory laws need to be reviewed and corrected. *
Published in Daily Times, August 2nd 2018.