Rally held in favour of Kashmiris

Sukkur's Hindu community members protest Indian 'atrocities'

SUKKUR: Hundreds of members of the Hindu community gathered at Dharam Shala at the Sukkur clock tower on Sunday to protest the 'brutal' policies of Indian premier Narendra Modi.

The protesters also torched an effigy of the Indian prime minister to express their anger against his "biased" attitude towards Muslims, especially in Kashmir. The protesters, including women and children, gathered at Dharam Shala and staged a rally carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans of Pakistan Zindabad, Raheel Sharif Zindabad and other anti-India and anti-Modi messages.

The rally was led by Sukkur Hindu Panchayat president Mukhi Eshwar Lal Makhija and marched on the main road that reaches the clock tower roundabout.

Speaking on the occasion, Makhija strongly condemned the "inhumane attitude of Modi," saying the man is mentally sick and therefore trying to sabotage the peace efforts initiated by Pakistan. "Modi should keep in mind that if India is a nuclear power then Pakistan too possesses nukes and a war between two nuclear powers will be deadly for both countries," he said, adding that the Indian army has unleashed a series of atrocities against the innocent people of Indian Kashmir. He strongly condemned the use of pellet guns against the Kashmiri youth and appealed to the world community to take notice of such brutal tactics.

"If India, even as a mistake, resorts to any adventure, the minorities of Pakistan will stand by their armed forces and the government and teach an exemplary lesson to the aggressor," he warned further. He advised Modi to refrain from provocative posturing and live in peace and let his neighbours live in peace as well.

The protesters later dispersed peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3^rd, 2016.