Ghotki incident in the wake of blasphemy

laws

From decades the people of Pakistan especially minorities are

haunted by the extremely awful laws known as the blasphemy
laws enacted by the British colonial authorities and made more
severe during 1980’s by the then military dictator Zia ul haq
who intended to ‘islamicise’ the laws and make this country
more pro-Islamic. These laws are inscribed in the Pakistan penal
code in section 295, A, B, and C. According to section 295
injuring or defiling any place of worship, with intent to insult the
religion of any class is highly punishable. Moreover, section 295
B and C prohibits the use of derogatory remarks against the holy
Quran and the holy prophet. These laws need additional
explanation with respect to its sensitivity when being
implemented and acted upon. The opacity of these laws makes
them more brutal and savage. Hundreds of individuals in
Pakistan have faced harsh consequences under the influence of
these hideous laws some are still behind bars due to allegations
of blasphemy. The courts fail to give justice to many, charged
with blasphemy, moreover the influence of religious authorities
and Islamic fundamentalist makes it more difficult for the court
to decide upon a verdict.
Junaid hafeez a young professor of bahauddin zakaria
university, Multan and a Fulbright scholar is accused of
Blasphemy, from the past 6 years he is behind bars in central
jail, Multan. Hundreds of intelligent students and intellectuals
have suffered blasphemy accusations. Another incident was the
brutal slaughter of a university student which took place in
Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan where a mob without any
sufficient proof accused a student, Mashal khan, of blasphemy
and later on stoned him to death. The case of Asiya bibi, a
Christian lady who was sentenced to death on blasphemy
charges without any conclusive evidence is another proof of the
injustices of these laws and their unsuitable interpretation.
The then governor of Punjab, Salman taseer, an avowed liberal,
a vocal opponent of extremism, and a courageous supporter of
repealing the notorious blasphemy laws, he attempted to act just
and tried to side with the oppressed lady, Asiya bibi was
murdered by his own body guard in the name of Islam thus, he
became another victim of the cruelty of these laws.
Minorities in Pakistan are under a severe threat as they are being
treated harshly by the authorities. They are not being given
freedom to express their religious feelings and above all the
freedom of movement. The founding father of Pakistan Quaid e
Azam depicted a country where minorities can live with liberty,
freedom and justice. But the long lived dream seemed to have
been died in its commencement.
Most recently an incident that took place in Ghotki, Sindh on
Sunday 15th September, in which about 50 individuals
vandalized a Hindu temple after an alleged case of blasphemy
was reported against a school teacher. The event is highly
condemnable and reprovable. On which the prime minister of
Pakistan Imran khan stated that ‘the attack was an attempt to
prove that Pakistan is no different than India and it ill-treats
minorities’. Now the issue has not been referred to a court not
any FIR was lodged on the contrary the local people with the
support of powerful political aid took law into their own hands
and vandalized properties of the Hindu’s the local administration
took no notice until highlighted on social media platforms.
Public and thorough explanation of such laws is required to
spread awareness among people of different sects. Furthermore,
institutions affiliated with religious teachings needs to propagate
a message of tolerance and broad mindedness towards such
cases related to sacrilege.
Strict religion bound political parties are more aggressive when
a scent of blasphemy is sensed by them they do not respect the
countries laws written under the constitution and section 295 of
the Pakistan penal code seems a joke to them. They often
consider it their sole duty to protect their religion and preserve
religious feelings unaware of the fact that they are not guardians
of the faith. The extreme hatred towards dissident opinion
regarding religion means death by the hands of a more pro
religious and pious class of so called faith preservers.
Opposing extremism is a hard task in Pakistan; strict followers
of Islam are day by day proving a threat to the stability of this
country. Religion is being used a tool to justify the brutalities
done by the extremist left. The above mentioned blasphemy
laws needs amendment accordingly. Moreover, Islamic
teachings and the Quran itself does not advocate such laws these
laws are completely against the teachings of the prophet and
Quran itself it is not Allah’s message not Islam’s message either.
They have become stronger just because they have street power
behind them, and the liberal forces are weak and divided. If it
continues like this it could result in the destruction of Pakistan.