A deepening malaise
A Hindu octogenarian was beaten by a police constable in Hayat Pitafi, a remote village in Ghotki district

Gokal Das. PHOTO: EXPRESS
It is extremely unlikely that this poor man’s assailants will be prosecuted or punished, and it is reported that their fellow officers are supporting them. As a Hindu, the man is not bound by the same strictures and requirements as a Muslim — nor for that matter should be Sikhs, Buddhists and Christians, yet are all at the same risk of a thrashing as the ageing Hindu if they commit a similar act. Non-Muslims have a right to lead their lives as they see fit. Many would not, out of respect, eat or drink in front of Muslims during fasting times in Ramazan, but is an elderly man, clearly with poor eyesight and perhaps an imperfect understanding or even awareness of the time of day, really deserving of a beating that required hospital treatment? We would argue that it is not, but recognise that our argument for tolerance may well fall on millions of deaf ears.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 14th, 2016.
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