Sialkot lynching sparks social media outrage

Politicians, celebrities and journalists blame rising religious intolerance in the country for the grisly act

Blasphemy laws have often dictated violence in Pakistan. The simmering intolerance has come to a boil and resulted in the lynching of Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national who was employed as an export manager in a local company in Sialkot.

The victim was accused of tearing a piece of paper with “Durood Sharif” printed on it. According to a video that has been circulated on Twitter, two men who claimed to have taken a part in the lynching tried to justify this horrific act. The men stated that they complained to the factory management about the victim. When the management ignored their request for action, the factory workers decided to take matters into their own hands.

Twitter users reacted strongly to the brutality and condemned the perpetrators. Many blamed blasphemy laws which have allowed many to get away with unimaginable violence against minorities.

Journalist Anas Mallick blamed radicalisation and insurmountable intolerance that is present in Pakistan.

"The amount of radicalisation and intolerance that has transgressed into the society can be very well measured by what happened in Sialkot - Absolutely horrific - Our heads should hang in shame."

The amount of radicalisation and intolerance that has transgressed into the society can be very well measured by what happened in Sialkot - Absolutely horrific - Our heads should hang in shame. #Pakistan

— Anas Mallick (@AnasMallick) December 3, 2021

Humsafar actress Mahira Khan demanded justice for the victim. "Ashamed!! Sick to my stomach!! Looking at you @ImranKhanPTI for answers, for justice and to take away this menace from our country," she wrote on her official handle.

Ashamed!! Sick to my stomach!! Looking at you @ImranKhanPTI for answers, for justice and to take away this menace from our country. #Sialkot

— Mahira Khan (@TheMahiraKhan) December 3, 2021

Some users claimed that the infamous piece of paper was a poster of a religio-political party.

Journalist, Raza Ahmad Rumi tweeted a video of the grisly act.

"Horrific: A mob in #Sialkot killed a sports factory manager (of #SriLankan origin) for allegedly removing #TLP posters. The #videos of his lynching/burning are brutal reminders of state policies that have radicalised generations, normalising murders & mainstreaming radical groups."

Horrific:A mob in #Sialkot killed a sports factory manager (of #SriLankan origin) for allegedly removing #TLP posters. The #videos of his lynching/burning are brutal reminders of state policies that have radicalized generations,normalizing murders & mainstreaming radical groups. pic.twitter.com/R112mp0CNf

— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 3, 2021

Disgruntled leader of Pakistan Tehreek e Insaaf (PTI) Jehangir Khan Tareen tweeted out his remorse and condemnation.

"Deeply gutted at the gruesome act of violence in Sialkot! My heart goes out to the family of Priyantha Kumara. Our Prophet (PBUH) was the pinnacle of patience. To carry out an act of violence, that too in the name of Namoose Risalat, is a massive disservice to Islam."

Deeply gutted at the gruesome act of violence in Sialkot! My heart goes out to the family of Priyantha Kumara.

Our Prophet (PBUH) was the pinnacle of patience. To carry out an act of violence, that too in the name of Namoose Risalat, is a massive disservice to Islam.

— Jahangir Khan Tareen (@JahangirKTareen) December 3, 2021

Gulf News columnist Mehr Tarar urged Prime Minister Imran and President Arif Alvi to issue a statement condemning the act.

“As a human being, a Muslim, a Pakistani & a PTI voter, I'm waiting for Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue a statement about the horrific, mind-numbing torture & lynching of Sri Lankan Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot. I'm also waiting for Pakistan's President to do the same."

As a human being, a Muslim, a Pakistani & a PTI voter, I'm waiting for Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan to issue a statement about the horrific, mind-numbing torture & lynching of Sri Lankan Priyantha Kumara in Sialkot.
I'm also waiting for Pakistan's President to do the same

— Mehr Tarar (@MehrTarar) December 3, 2021

PML-N leader and former minister for interior and planning development, Ahsan Iqbal said that the liberal use of religion for political gains is to blame.

"These scenes distorting the face of Pakistan and Islam are created by us. Who can we complain to? What will happen if the state allows the intense love of the Ummah for Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) to be used for political purposes?"

Special Representative for Religious Affairs, Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi termed the crime as "un-Islamic".

Special Representative for Religious Affairs, Interfaith Harmony Hafiz Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has termed the brutal lynching of a Sri Lankan national in Sialkot to be "un-Islamic".

For more, https://t.co/H8Cqvswtiq#etribune #sialkot #news #latest pic.twitter.com/sUsu3kUIbC

— The Express Tribune (@etribune) December 3, 2021

Senator Sherry Rehman reiterated the point made by Ahsan Iqbal about using religion as a scapegoat to justify carrying out unimaginable crime.

"Weaponising religion leads to mob rule. Justice lies at the heart of legitimacy, and must be done by the state. No one can be allowed to take the law into their hands and use religion as a justification.#Sialkot is a terrible example that has to be addressed head on."

Weaponising religion leads to mob rule. Justice lies at the heart of legitimacy,and must be done by the state. No one can be allowed to take the law into their hands and use religion as a justification.#Sialkot is a terrible example that has to be addressed head on. #notinourname

— SenatorSherryRehman (@sherryrehman) December 3, 2021

This is not the first time a person has been lynched by a mob in Sialkot. In August 2010 two brother Mughees and Muneeb Sajjad were lynched publicly by a mob that accused them of theft. The victims were hung in the presence of the police.

Some Twitter users recalled the horrific lynching that happened eleven years ago.

"These brothers never got their justice. 11 years later, extremists are more enabled. #Sialkot"

These brothers never got their justice. 11 years later, extremists are more enabled. #Sialkot pic.twitter.com/8gZ7yNZ43X

— soha (@SohaTazz) December 3, 2021

Bagh Tv journalist, Amnah Jabeen also recalled the incident.

"More than a decade since Mughees and Muneeb were lynched to death by an angry mob in Sialkot. 10 years down the lane and we're still the same. This is horrific, shocking and sickening to the core. Speechless."

More than a decade since Mughees and Muneeb were lynched to death by an angry mob in Sialkot. 10 years down the lane and we're still the same. This is horrific, shocking and sickening to the core. Speechless 💔#Sialkot

— Amnah Jabeen (@AmnahJPlus) December 3, 2021

In response to social media outrage, Prime Minister Imran issued his condemnation of the attack and promised that arrests will be made swiftly.

"The horrific vigilante attack on factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress," he tweeted.

The horrific vigilante attack on factory in Sialkot & the burning alive of Sri Lankan manager is a day of shame for Pakistan. I am overseeing the investigations & let there be no mistake all those responsible will be punished with full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) December 3, 2021

Senator Ejaz Chaudhry tweeted an update on the incident and promised severe action will be taken against all those involved.

"Sialkot incident will be dealt severely to ensure rule of law and no culprit will be speared like Mashaal Khan case in KPK.”

Sialkot incident will be dealt severely,to ensure rule of law and no culprit will be speared like Mashaal Khan case in KPK.
⁦@ImranKhanPTI⁩ ⁦@PTIofficial pic.twitter.com/PSvnTjQo2r

— Senator Ejaz Chaudhary (@EjazChaudhary) December 3, 2021