'Horrendous and barbaric': Celebs livid over Sialkot incident

Priyantha Kumara, a Sri Lankan national was brutally lynched and his body set on fire by workers of private factories on Sialkot’s Wazirabad Road on Friday.

A police official told The Express Tribune at the crime scene that Kumara was the operational manager at the factory for the past seven years. He was accused by the factory workers of “tearing down Durood Sharif.”

Several gruesome video clips have since been shared on social media, in which the mob can be seen beating the victim while chanting slogans against blasphemy. Many in the mob make no attempt to hide their identity and some even take selfies in front of the burning corpse.

The sickening incident has outraged the nation and the civil and military leaders have denounced it. President Arif Alvi said the vigilante attack has nothing to do with religion as Prime Minister Imran Khan has promised that those responsible “will be punished with the full severity of the law”.

Now, celebrities are taking to their social media to condemn the gruesome killing and desecration. Several are speaking up against the growing radicalisation, fascism in the country and looking to Imran Khan for answers.

“Words fail me. We as a nation need to hold our heads in shame. Do we really want to live in a country where mob rule is the norm and not the exception? We look to Imran Khan for swift action to stop this now,” tweeted Mehwish Hayat.

Mahira Khan wrote, “Ashamed! Sick to my stomach!! Looking at you, Imran Khan, for answers, for justice and to take away this menace from our country."

For Ushna Shah, the scariest part is, “there are still many who will argue ‘minorities are safe in Pakistan’ every time I raise my voice for them.” Sharing the premier’s tweet, she added, “By all means, make more ‘roohani madrasahs’ and further radicalise what’s left of this country.”

Mansha Pasha also feels its high time vloggers and bloggers took a break from propagating a ‘soft image’ of Pakistan. “So, who’s the next vlogger who’s going to make feel good tourist ads and proclaim how safe the country is for foreigners?” she questioned.

She, too, criticised Khan for focusing on “removing western influence,” while, “what of the weaponized radical elements that use any excuse to spread terror and incite mob violence? Any word on them? Because they are and always have been the ones that are actually destroying the country. Shame!”

Rohail Hyatt simply feels “saddened and ashamed,” while Saba Qamar is “completely shattered” right now.

“Sick! Sick! Sick!” tweeted Armeen Khan. “I would never wish this upon any human being but this time, I am going to make an exception. I pray with my heart and soul that all those took part in this lynching never find peace in this world or hereafter,” she added.

Salman Ahmad reinstated that “Fascism has no religion,” and “TLP must not be allowed to masquerade as a religious party. They have poisoned the feelings of all Ashiq-e-Rasools on planet earth.”

Asim Azhar wants to know where we’re headed as a nation. “Ashamed and terrified. Where are we headed? Ya Allah, grant us tolerance and everything this nation needs to become better humans. Ameen,” tweeted the singer.

While Indian actor Swara Bhaskar is sickened to learn about the incident. “Absolutely sickening and gut wrenching the madness, brutality and monstrosity humans unleash in the name of Gods and religion. Horrendous!” she tweeted.

Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that the "horrific, vigilante attack" on the factory and the burning alive of the Sri Lankan man was a 'day of shame' for Pakistan. "I am overseeing the investigations and, let there be no mistake, all those responsible will be punished with the full severity of the law. Arrests are in progress,” he added.

Responding to premier’s tweet on the issue, President Dr Arif Alvi also said the Sialkot incident was “definitely very sad and shameful and not religious in any way whatsoever”. “Islam is a religion established on the cannons of deliberative justice rather than mob lynching.”

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.