The recent tragedy in Sargodha is a grim reminder of the unchecked mob violence plaguing our nation. A mob, accusing a man of blasphemy, vandalized property and attempted to lynch him. Social media footage showed a mob surrounding a bloodied man, with teenagers among them, wrecking furniture. Another video depicted a large blaze outside a house.
A statement from the Minority Rights March indicated that the mob, reportedly incited by a local cleric, lynched a 70-year-old man while setting his home and factory ablaze. Disturbingly, videos of the attack clearly show Punjab police officers standing by as silent spectators, suggesting their tacit approval and facilitation of the attackers. The Sargodha police claim to have arrested 15 individuals involved in the incident. However, this brings to mind similar arrests in the Jaranwala case and numerous other mob attacks on churches, Christian homes, and communities. The pressing question remains: have any of these attackers faced punishment?
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For far too long, Pakistan’s blasphemy laws have been misused as tools for personal vendettas and religious persecution. This religiously motivated extremism has created an environment where various extremist factions exploit religious sentiments to incite mob violence.
There must be accountability for those who incite and engage in such violence. The passive complicity of the police and other authorities cannot continue. Those who fail to protect innocent lives and uphold the rule of law must be held responsible.
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The government’s and police’s silence, followed by empty rhetoric, raises critical questions: Who are they trying to appease? Why is so much leeway given to intolerance? Why has intolerance dominated religious differences? The root of this issue may trace back to September 7, 1974, when Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto’s government declared Ahmadis non-Muslims to placate religious clerics. Farahnaz Ispahani noted in 2017 that religious parties garnered support from secular opposition members to pass a unanimous resolution urging the federal government to declare Ahmadis a minority for their disbelief in Khatm-e-Nabuwwat.
Did the rise of Mujahideen under General Zia ul Haq, supported by the U.S., spread fanaticism within our borders as well? Has Islam, as a unifying force for Pakistan’s national identity, overshadowed other cultural and social characteristics?
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The government’s approach of zero tolerance towards terrorism and violent extremism, through new legislation and military operations, is a step in the right direction. However, innovative political, economic, and educational strategies are essential to prevent future threats and foster a more inclusive society. The fight against extremism requires not only strict laws and enforcement but also efforts to address the underlying socio-economic and educational issues that fuel such violence. The state must take comprehensive steps to ensure that the rights of all citizens, especially minorities, are protected and that justice is served for those who suffer from such heinous acts.
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The writer is a lawyer, academic and political analyst. She has authored a book titled ‘A Comparative Analysis of Media & Media Laws in Pakistan.’ She can be contacted at: yasmeenali62@gmail.com and tweets at @yasmeen_9
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