Helpless in the face of bigotry
Blasphemy laws continue to be misused, by those who are unafraid of ever being punished for their fake claims
Blasphemy laws continue to be misused, by those who are unafraid of ever being punished for their fake claims. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
Not for the first time, blasphemy laws are in danger of being misused to target a minority community. A Christian family in Gujrat could be charged with blasphemy if the local cleric and his supporters manage to get their way. The family is being accused of having sat down to dine on a panaflex banner on which the name of Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) was supposedly printed.
However, according to the police, the banner has no such inscription and only features pictures of local politicians. The supposed blasphemy was first reported by a neighbour to a local cleric who then proceeded to whip up support for a demonstration that could have resulted in violence had the police not intervened.
Even after being shown the banner, which was handed over to the police by the family, the cleric was adamant that blasphemy had been committed and the incriminating evidence removed. He insisted that an FIR should be filed against the family even though there was no physical evidence of a crime.
Christian family pleads innocence, begs pardon over blasphemy charges
The police then proceeded to advise the family to placate the cleric and his supporters. The family has been forced to seek forgiveness for a crime they did not commit and are trying to appease their accusers, but so far to no avail. The police have stated that a case may have to be lodged against the family if the accusers do not withdraw their complaint.
Rather than moving against the individuals who have placed an innocent family under threat of violence by making a serious accusation, our law enforcement is clearly helpless in the face of bigotry.
Blasphemy case registered against six for ‘desecrating’ Sikh man's turban
Blasphemy laws continue to be misused to target minorities, by those who are unafraid of ever being punished for their fake claims and poisoning local communities.
Until the law-enforcement apparatus grows a backbone and starts helping the victims of crimes rather than perpetrators, this sorry state of affairs will continue. Innocent lives will continue to be threatened and bigots will remain free to wreck havoc on communal harmony.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2016.
However, according to the police, the banner has no such inscription and only features pictures of local politicians. The supposed blasphemy was first reported by a neighbour to a local cleric who then proceeded to whip up support for a demonstration that could have resulted in violence had the police not intervened.
Even after being shown the banner, which was handed over to the police by the family, the cleric was adamant that blasphemy had been committed and the incriminating evidence removed. He insisted that an FIR should be filed against the family even though there was no physical evidence of a crime.
Christian family pleads innocence, begs pardon over blasphemy charges
The police then proceeded to advise the family to placate the cleric and his supporters. The family has been forced to seek forgiveness for a crime they did not commit and are trying to appease their accusers, but so far to no avail. The police have stated that a case may have to be lodged against the family if the accusers do not withdraw their complaint.
Rather than moving against the individuals who have placed an innocent family under threat of violence by making a serious accusation, our law enforcement is clearly helpless in the face of bigotry.
Blasphemy case registered against six for ‘desecrating’ Sikh man's turban
Blasphemy laws continue to be misused to target minorities, by those who are unafraid of ever being punished for their fake claims and poisoning local communities.
Until the law-enforcement apparatus grows a backbone and starts helping the victims of crimes rather than perpetrators, this sorry state of affairs will continue. Innocent lives will continue to be threatened and bigots will remain free to wreck havoc on communal harmony.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 21st, 2016.