LAHORE: An enraged mob torched dozens of houses located in a Christian-dominated neighbourhood of Lahore on Saturday, DawnNews reported.
The mob attacked the houses in Joseph Colony in Badami Bagh police precincts in the provincial capital following allegations of blasphemy against a Christian man. The man was booked under Section 295-C of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
It appeared that the man had been falsely accused of blasphemy but the police was forced to register a case to placate the mob, a local police official said.
Speaking to a private television channel, Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah said the accused man was in police custody.
Sanaullah said all those involved in the arson would be arrested, adding that his government would try to rehabilitate the affected Christian families.
Blasphemy is an extremely sensitive subject in Pakistan – a nation of 180 million people, 97 per cent of whom are Muslims, and those convicted of defaming Islam or desecrating the Quran can face life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Human rights activists claim the laws are often used to settle personal vendettas and last year two prominent politicians were assassinated apparently for speaking out against the legislation.
Another sad day, with each passing day we are inching towards an intolerant society where any one can lynch another for some reason which we don’t even know is true or not. Besides even if its true in no civilised country is mob allowed to carry out justice like this.
Just looking at these pictures makes my blood boil. I have a 2 year old son. There must have been kids of the same age in these houses. I can’t imagine how the parents would have felt hearing the mob destroying everything and moving towards their homes. How they must have run for their lives. On the other hand, when I look at people in the mob, there is sense of achievement on their faces. A classic example of how religion makes one blind. Its things like these that have changed me from being fairly religious to almost agnostic.
The government should revoke blasphemy law if the people want to serve justice like this.
I am not sure if blasphemy law has anything to do with. Who cares about any 'law' in pakistan. If people cared about a law, they would not have shown this lawlessness. Its the lack of tolerance and the misinterpretation of religion that is the root cause of these things. Its how religion is perceived by unfortunately a large proportion of people in pakistan. We need to redefine the role of religion in the life of an average pakistan.
^ blasphemy law was introduced in the constitution to prevent these events. With the passage of time Pakistan is converting into a jungle where the only law is 'survival of the fittest'. I do not know if the alleged blasphemer has committed a blasphemy or not, for me this mob has done a blasphemy by 'serving justice' to people without following the due procedures of law.
When you thrust religion in every sphere of your life this is bound to happen. All atrocities are happening in Pakistan in name of religion.Just explain people that "being muslim does not make them favourite to god".
In Tyler durden words
You are not special. You're not a beautiful and unique snowflake. You're the same decaying organic matter as everything else. We're all part of the same compost heap. We're all singing, all dancing crap of the world.”
What can goverment do? Its the mentality of the people ..can't be changed by government or overnight. Start from removing the hatred against other religion from textbooks.
What can goverment do? Its the mentality of the people ..can't be changed by government or overnight. Start from removing the hatred against other religion from textbooks.
Another Indian trying to win a moral victory here, may I remind you about the attacks carried out against the minorities in India (including Christians). Attacks like these are carried out by certain uneducated people and incidents like these are as a fault of our law enforcement not being able to provide security. Compare Modi to our concerned minister...
*CM Shahbaz Sharif taking serious notice of the incident of violence that occurred against the Christian community in response to an alleged incident of blasphemy, in a locality of Lahore issued orders for the SSP operations and SP city to be made OSD and for the concerned DSP and SHO to be suspended immediately.
CM has ordered for a Judicial Inquiry to be conducted regarding the incident and also issued orders for those involved to be arrested by identification through video footage and other means available.
CM stated that the person who allegedly carried out the act of blasphemy was arrested last night and the court will decide the matter. CM stressed that Pakistan belongs to all Pakistanis irrespective of caste, creed and religion. It is the duty of every citizen to protect and defend his/her fellow citizens and we must collectively look after each other and protect the rights of minorities in particular.
CM announced that the affected households will be provided with compensation of Rs 200,000 per household forthwith. A camp is being established for affected families where they will live until their houses are restored and they are settled back in their houses
The Government will start restoring the houses to their original condition from tonight. A high level committee comprising of Law Minister, Senator Kamran Michael and senior officials is at the site and supervising arrangements as per CM's direction.
CM stated that he will hold daily meetings till his Government lasts to review progress on the case and the status of restoration of households.*
i guess its a pre planned incidence to create insurgency in Punjab as well like Karachi,and fools are acting as their toy,i guess Ulema should play their positive role free from any politics,jus for the character building of Pakistanis..
People who create law and order situation need to punished. It should not be so difficult to find these criminals.
What can goverment do? Its the mentality of the people ..can't be changed by government or overnight. Start from removing the hatred against other religion from textbooks.
shameful