Blasphemy Incident: Minority Rights Groups Call For Thorough Investigation

Wraa Noor

Faisalabad: Advocates for minority rights call on the government to uphold justice, carry out thorough investigations and stop the violence against religious minorities from escalating further in the aftermath of the Jaranwala incident.

Voice for Justice Chairperson Joseph Jansen vehemently condemned the violent assaults on Christian churches and homes and underscored the paramount significance of thorough investigations preceding any extrajudicial actions.

Former Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, yet another incident of desecration of the Holy Quran is highly disturbing.

Mere expression of regret and condemnation is not enough, Shehbaz stressed, adding that let it be understood that the desecration of religious symbols, holy personages and Books damages the interfaith harmony that the world so desperately needs.

The Minority Alliance Pakistan (MAP) Chairperson stated that Pakistan’s stringent blasphemy laws, which stipulate the death penalty or life imprisonment for blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad, have frequently resulted in targeted persecution against Christians.

Pakistan’s infamous blasphemy laws, which are frequently used to settle personal scores, particularly against religious minorities, underscore the need for comprehensive reforms.

Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL

— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023

Mobs burn Christian churches, homes

A disturbing episode involving alleged blasphemy against the Prophet Muhammad and the desecration of Quranic pages has sparked a wave of mob violence and attacks on multiple homes and three churches – Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church – in Jaranwala.

The incident is attributed to a Christian man named Raja Masih and took place on August 16 in Jaranwala Tehsil which is a part of Punjab’s Faisalabad District.

The Christian community is in a volatile state as a result of this extremely regrettable episode.

According to the initial reports, Quranic pages, a letter with blasphemous sentiments and Raja Masih’s name were found on the ground. The local population was incensed and outraged by this discovery which sparked a rapid escalation and widespread protests.

Voice for Justice Coordinator Pastor Imran Javed witnessed the horrifying assault on the Christian homes and churches in Jaranwala. He revealed that many Christians were forced to leave their homes out of concern for their safety and described the atmosphere as tense.

Markets were shut down in protest by traders and protesters blocked important crossroads, including Cinema Chowk. Under the direction of Superintendent of Police (SP) Jaranwala Town, law enforcement agencies mobilised a significant police presence to maintain public safety and restore order.

SP Bilal Silhari addressed the gathering at Cinema Chowk, joined by Mufti Muhammad Younis Rizvi, pleading for calm and assuring protesters of swift action against the perpetrators. Despite these attempts, certain factions persisted in calling for drastic measures while highlighting the necessity for thoughtful and measured responses.

Punjab Provincial Police Inspector Mohammed Naved stated that authorities were doing their best to control the mob. Police also filed a report against two local Christian residents under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws.

Later on Wednesday, Punjab Caretaker Information Minister Amir Mir informed that more than 100 people were arrested for their involvement in riots.

Paramilitary Rangers have been deployed “in connection with the religious conflict and sensitive situation of law and order at Tehsil Jaranwala District Faisalabad”, stated official sources.