News
Monday, March 11, 2013
Civil Society condemns Badami Bagh tragedyIslamabad: Civil society organizations, human rights activists, representatives of the Christian community, various non-Muslim Pakistani communities, Muslim minority Shia sect, Member Council of Islamic Ideology and Chairman Pakistan Ulema Council Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi, and citizens jointly express outrage and strongest condemnation of cowardice and law violation shown by the Lahore Badami Bagh police SHO Hafiz Abdul Majeed, who knowingly and deliberately registered a false and fabricated FIR # 112/13 under Section 295-C (aka the Blasphemy law) against a Christian youth, Savan Masih s/o Chandar Masih, resident of Joseph Colony, Noor Road, Badami Bagh.
We are outraged to learn that the police registered the FIR in utter fear for their own lives and safety, when, after Friday prayers, a huge mob of around 3000 Muslims, led by a barber Shahid Imran, gathered to attack Savan’s home, accusing him of blasphemy. We are horrified at the police standing by watching the mob beat up Savan’s father. We condemn in the strongest terms the mob’s pelting and burning Savan’s house, after which the entire Christian community of Joseph Colony fled to save their lives, leaving behind their homes and possessions unguarded. We are totally outraged to learn that over 178 homes, shops and 3 churches in Joseph Colony were set ablaze at 9:00 a.m. on 9th March. The firefighting service did not arrive until 3:00 p.m. The blaze was not put out till nightfall. We appreciate the continued strenuous efforts of Hafiz Tahir Mahmood Ashrafi and Joseph Francis to calm and diffuse the violent situation.
We are further outraged at police inaction when the mob attacked and damaged the colony Pastor’s car. We strongly condemn the police’s arrest of Savan’s father, which is reminiscent of the draconian and highly-condemned FCR (1901)/FATA – a remnant of the British Raj, stipulating collective responsibility and collective punishment, which violates the universal law of presumption of innocence until proved guilty.
We most strongly condemn the concept of the police “placating and bowing to the pressure of the mob by registering the FIR under section 295-C, which carries the death sentence”, and even that did not satisfy the mob which clamoured for Savan to be handed over to them for carrying out vigilante mob “justice” (sic). We most strongly condemn the mosque imam, Qari Saifullah, who incited and led the huge mob, saying that “when they find Savan, they must cut him up into pieces with knives”. We learn that preliminary police investigations have indicated that the blasphemy charge is false and is based on personal differences. It could also be due to a property dispute, and might even be a larger scheme to evict the entire Christian colony by the landgrabbing mafia. We have not forgotten the recent Rimsha Masih case. We have not forgotten Gojra either. We are shocked to learn that the huge mob was allegedly led by PML(N) MNAs/MPAs and a local factory owner – if true, we condemn this most strongly and demand an explanation.
Exploitation of popular sentiment in the name of religion is not new in Pakistan, but it is reaching unprecedented proportions, especially when applied to the Christian community of Pakistan, whose numbers (along with those of Hindus, Ahmadis, Hazaras and Shias) are dwindling at an alarming rate. At this rate, we will very soon have to remove the white panel from Pakistan’s flag, as there will be no non-Muslim citizens left to represent that white panel. This is not Jinnah’s Pakistan. This is not what Islam teaches either.
This is a New Republic of Hatred, Violence, Intolerance, Vigilante Mob rule, Militant Jihadism, Extremism and Talibanization, where neither Christians, Hindus, Ahmadis, Shias/Hazaras are safe; nor are Muslim women and girls; nor are schools, mosques, imambargahs, churches or temples; where there is no rule of law or fundamental human rights. Is this what Pakistan was created for? Why must we continue to carry the burden of the “jihadi” (sic) legacy left behind by Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, further fomented and funded by Salafist-Wahabi Saudi Arabia, Shia Iran and neo-Imperialist USA to this day? Is this the Pakistan we wish to leave behind for our children? Our answer is a loud NO, it is NOT. We demand that the Government of Punjab, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, IG Police Habib-ur-Rahman, Chief Secretary and others take immediate note of this terrible situation, reverse the illegal and mala fide FIR registered; arrest the thana SHO and terminate his services; arrest and try the false accusers, Imam and mob leaders.
We demand that the now homeless Christian community of Joseph Colony be provided effective protection by the Punjab Government, along with immediate reconstruction, rehabilitation, relief goods and full compensation for all losses suffered. We remind the Punjab Government that under the Constitution, it is solely responsible for the protection of the life, liberty, dignity, property and possessions of ALL Pakistanis, particularly the vulnerable non-Muslims, who are EQUAL citizens of the State.
We demand that the Federal and Provincial Governments take URGENT IMMEDIATE action to end the misuse, abuse and exploitation of Section 295-B & C, by revisions in the Law and PPC sections. pr
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk