RELIGIOUS intolerance and violence against the rights of religious minorities has become a trend in our country. The recent incident of killing of three Hindus in Shikarpur in the name of honour by a Muslim tribe is shameful and we the citizens of democratic Pakistan strongly condemn this criminal act.
Dr Ajeet Kumar, Dr Naresh Kumar and Dr Ashok Kumar were shot dead. While the injured Satti Pal is under treatment in a Karachi hospital.
Religious violence has increased in our country in the last few years, because adequate attention was not being paid by the authorities despite the increasing killings and discrimination of religious minorities.
The government, law-enforcement agencies, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and other concerned departments should protect the rights of minorities if they are threatened by any religious extremism.
No one would have dared commit this brutal act if such elements were punished earlier.
President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the murder and taken notice of the incident. Many representatives of various social organisations and civil society activists have also condemned the brutality.
Sherry Rehman, member of the National Assembly, has condemned the brutal act and also moved an adjournment motion in the National Assembly.
She said: “This kind of open bias on the part of a state institution towards a minority group not only amounts to violation of constitutional rights of minorities, it also creates mistrust over the state’s role as guarantor of a citizen’s protection”.
She emphasised the need for a serious investigation into the case to provide justice to the victims of this heinous act.
Amendments to the Constitution were made for the protection of life, property and dignity of minorities, but were never implemented effectively. The government has failed to prevent discrimination against religious minorities. The government, law-enforcement agencies, liberal institutions and the nation as a whole should work together to reduce human rights violations in the country to make minorities feel safe and secure in Pakistan.
IRSHAD KHATOON SOLANGIIslamabadQuaid-i-Azam University Islamabad