IT is, unfortunately, all too easy in this country to work up people’s religious feelings and then direct these zealous sentiments in a destructive direction. The latest example of this negative trend was witnessed in Sialkot on Wednesday when a mob descended upon an Ahmadi place of worship and proceeded to destroy it. According to reports, the building in question was said to be an ‘illegal construction’; however, regardless of its status, there can be no justification for the assault by a mob of hundreds, reportedly including members of the local government, political workers and seminary students. As per some reports, a local PTI leader was part of the mob; the PTI has condemned the attack, with its spokesman correctly saying that no one has the right to instigate violence against minority communities.

Religious issues must always be handled delicately; however, in these tense times with elections around the corner, all political parties have a duty to ensure that matters of faith are not included in political narratives. In the run-up to the polls, there will be candidates who will try and play to the gallery by raising sectarian and communal issues. In fact, some sectarian groups have formed political fronts and intend to run in the polls. Therefore, political parties, the state and the ECP must all work together to isolate such hatemongers; the ECP in particular has a duty to keep an eye on rabble-rousers. Politicians, in their parties’ manifestos as well as on the campaign trail, must promote tolerance and inclusion, instead of focusing on exclusivity and parochialism. As it is, there have been plenty of bitter exchanges between major political players, including the PML-N, PPP and PTI. Exploiting religious or communal issues will further poison the atmosphere. As for the Sialkot incident, a thorough probe should be conducted and the guilty brought to justice. The Constitution guarantees minorities freedom of worship; therefore; there can be no tolerance for such acts of violence.

Published in Dawn, May 26th, 2018