Hindu temples, homes in Sindh vandalised over alleged blasphemy


Lahore, Sep 16 (IANS): A violent mob vandalised three Hindu temples, as well as houses belonging to the Hindu community and a school in Ghotki in Pakistan's Sindh province, over allegations that a school principal from the minority community had committed blasphemy.

The violence took place on Saturday after an FIR was registered against the principal of Sindh Public School on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Rajput, a student's father who claimed that the principal had committed blasphemy.

The FIR was lodged under Article 295(c) - that pertains to "derogatory remarks in respect of the Holy Prophet - of the Pakistan Penal Code.

Videos, showing a frenzied mob wielding sticks venting their anger on a Hindu temple and the Sindh Public School over the alleged incident of blasphemy, were doing the rounds on social media.

The houses of Hindu families were also attacked, with the mob blocking off roads in the area.

Large contingents of police and paramilitary Rangers were deployed in Ghotki on Sunday following protests.

Residents of the area have demanded that the police arrest the principal.

Religious groups and organisations called for a shutter-down strike in the wake of the incident. All business centres in Ghotki remained closed on Sunday.

Sukkur Region's Additional Inspector General Jamil Ahmed said on Sunday that the accused principal was in "safe custody" of the police. He said a fair investigation would be ensured after confirmation of the facts and justice will prevail.

The "situation in Ghotki is back to normal," the officer said on Twitter.

Sindh Information Minister Saeed Ghani said a First Information Report had been registered in the case.

Ghani said it was an act of an individual and the entire Hindu community had no fault in it.

"If the allegations are proven, then action will be taken against the accused in accordance with the law," he said, appealing to local religious figures and the general public to remain calm.

"We regard the public sentiment, but an entire community cannot be blamed for an individual's act," he said.

Advocate Veerji Kolhi, special assistant to Chief Minister Sindh on Human Rights, told Dawn: "The situation is being handled properly to avoid further damage or riots."

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MNA Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, who is also the head of the Pakistan Hindu Council, told Dawn that the case has been handed over to Hyderabad Deputy Inspector General Naeem Shaikh who will investigate the matter. He added that the principal was kept at an undisclosed location for safety reasons and will be handed over to Shaikh.

"I have talked to Sindh Inspector General of Police Kaleem Imam who has assured me the police will fully protect the accused, therefore, I am going to hand (the principal) over to police either in Karachi or in Hyderabad today," he said.

Vankwani said that the protesters had vandalised three temples, a private school and multiple houses belonging to the Hindu community and added that he had asked police to register an FIR against people involved in the riots.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also shared a video of protesters breaking the infrastructure of the school and expressed concern over the situation.

The rioters allegedly included supporters of radical religious leader Pir Abdul Haq alias Mian Mithu, who is widely accused of involvement in forced conversion of Hindu women in Sindh.

Protests were also held in surrounding towns of Mirpur Mathelo and Adilpur, where demonstrators blocked roads and demanded the principal's arrest.

According to rights activist Sattar Zangejo, the Hindu community of the area was forced to remain indoors due to the riots.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Prakash, Mumbai

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    when we are living in the civilized society we cannot talk about Hindhu, infact we cannot say proudly that i m hindhu, if u say so u became communal. so whatver hapns to Hindus doesn't make any noise let it happen.. we lived in that way for many years and we deserve these kind of treatment and still we are in deep sleep unfortunately

    DisAgree Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • netizen, Mangaluru

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    For one individual's mistake vandalising any religious places and houses of innocents are strong condemnable which we have experiencing often here in India.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidananda Shetty, Dubai/Mundkur

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    It’s Ok since it’s belongs to Hindus…. “The Law of Tolerance” is not applicable when it comes to Hindu religion everywhere… But don’t ever dare to touch others religion or their religious premises!!!

    DisAgree [2] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dan M, Dubai / Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    God is not against praying people but God-less, Self-God who create s rivalry between religions to establish their God-less rule everywhere.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • YOGI THUNTA, MANGALURU - NEAR PUMPWELL CIRCLE

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    These are the real RACIST and WORST RACIST who doesn't hesitate to kill fellow human being only due to submission to his faith ! WAH WAH

    DisAgree Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • ad, mangaluru

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    Its like Christian churches attacked in Mangaluru.

    DisAgree [26] Agree [12] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    Bro..,
    You have a point..., but practice Christianity.. While i may not be a right person to lecture about Christianity, but I must recall to say what my good olden days moral education class teacher taught - "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing..."

    In today's Hindustan..., the fight is between REAL Hindu's vs FEKU Hindus...,
    FEKU Hindu's are one who don't practice the tenets of Hinduism - "Vasudhaiva Kutumbam, Sarva Dharma Sama Bhava, Ahimsa Paramo Dharma..."

    My suggestion is - Don't provoke Jokers....!!!!!!

    DisAgree [10] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • Alphonse Rodrigues, Udupi

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    Hindu fundamentals attacking the Churches is wrong and a blasphemy.
    Muslims vandalising Hindus, Christians churches in Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Syria and slapping blasphemy cases falsely is a great blunder.
    Shia-Sunny's fighting each other from the birth of Islam (1400) and continuing as on date is wrong and blunders.
    Catholics and other Christian denominations accusing each other, you are wrong, I am right is also wrong.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    hindus fighting supremacy of caste base created from da creation is blunder.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • ca girishkk, m'lore/dxb

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    Who get them provoked...!!!! by elements within or outside of their country....!!!!
    Thugs of Pakistan...,. shame on them..!!!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [10] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shaheen, Mangalore-India

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    Hindu / Sikh/ Christ brothers and sisters you are not at safe in Pak.
    You are welcome and safe here in my and your ancestors country in India..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [27] Reply Report Abuse

  • David Pais, Mangalore

    Mon, Sep 16 2019

    may b your ancestors wrote sathyadarshini????????? every1 born in india is a hindu - rss. every1 performs salat 2 allah is a muslim-zakir naik.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse


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