Pakistan minority community under attack : Sikh protest

Outraged over repeated incidents of desecration of their holy book and temples coupled with inaction on the government's part, Sikh protesters forced their way into Islamabad's high security zone on Friday, to register their grievance. They managed to reach the Parliament House despite police baton charge and tear gas. If they wanted the police could have used more force to stop the demonstrators but preferred to adopt leniency for the obvious reason that those involved were distressed members of a minority community. Many acted horrified over the breach of security, however. If there is anything to be horrified about the incident it is the increasing frequency with which minority communities are coming under attack.

As one of the protesters from the Pakistan Sikh Sangat told journalists their holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, was desecrated seven times in 18 months, but no action has been taken against the culprits. The most recent incident took place in the Mirpur Mathelo area of Ghotki in Sindh. Sikhs, of course, are not the only minority community under attack; several Hindu temples have also been torched. During last March alone there have been six reported cases of desecration of Hindu temples in differing parts of Sindh -Shikarpur, Larkana, Khairpur, Mithi, Hyderabad and Tharparker - and one such incident took place in Karachi's Lea Market earlier this month, ie, May 7. Repeated attacks on Christian homes and churches are already a matter of public record and legal proceedings. A majority of them are motivated by worldly issues concerning property grabs or personal enmities but given a religious colour. Islam lays a lot of emphasis on protecting the minorities and their places of worship, which is why the laws of this country provide for the same.

Notably, during the hearing of a case a few days ago, while expressing displeasure over non-registration of cases against those involved in torching of temples, Chief Justice of Pakistan Tassaduq Hussain Jillani reminded all concerned that according to Article 295 of the Pakistan Penal Code, "offence" against any religion falls under the purview of the blasphemy laws. Unfortunately most people, even those associated with law and the justice system, profess ignorance about their responsibilities under these laws towards people of other faiths. This comes out clearly from the proceedings in the apex court where a Hindu representative complained about the burning of his community's temples in Sindh. No less a person than the province's Additional Advocate General rejected the allegations of inaction saying cases had been registered in all instances. But when the court asked him whether the cases had been registered under the PPC section that pertains to desecration of places of worship, he said no section holds such actions as sacrilege. He was told to read the PPC's relevant provision, which clearly states that desecration of all places of worship is a crime. Sadly, the minority representatives have been running from pillar to post to demand what is their right under Islam and the Constitution. The government must pull its act together and do all that is necessary to create a sense of security among all citizens.