Mian Channu lynching: MPs demand strict action against perpetrators

Lawmakers condemn Karnataka Hijab incident

ISLAMABAD:

The Senate on Monday expressed grave concerns over the Mian Channu mob lynching tragic incident, demanding strict action against the perpetrators.

On Saturday, a mob brutally lynched a mentally challenged man in Mian Channu city of Khanewal district over allegedly burning pages of the Holy Quran. His body was later hung from a tree whereas the police allegedly played the role of silent spectators.

During the session, Leader of the House in Senate Dr Shahzad Waseem said that all the political parties and the nation are united against such incidents.

Read: Buzdar pledges justice in lynching case

“The government will take strict action against the perpetrators of this inhuman incident.”

Senator Irfan Siddiqui said that positive and concrete steps should be taken to control such incidents in the future.

He said that all the political parties are united on the issue, adding that such incidents had brought a bad name to the country. Senator Siddiqui suggested formation of a committee to look into such matters.
Senator Ijaz Chaudhry said that the Senate, National Assembly and all provincial assemblies should give a message of tolerance and unity.

Senator Prof Sajid Mir said, “Taking law into one’s own hands and killing any person cannot be supported at all.”

He said that all those involved in the mob lynching incident should be brought to justice as no one should be allowed to take the law into their hands.

Senator Azam Nazir Tarar said that the upper house should discuss the Mian Channu incident in detail. “Such inhuman incidents are unacceptable.”

Read: Blasphemy laws and the birth of mob vigilantism

Further, the parliamentarians condemned the incident in which a Muslim girl Muskan Khan was heckled by a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh-backed mob for wearing Hijab in the Indian state of Karnataka last week. However, in the videos doing the rounds on social media, Muskan did not shy away and kept yelling “Allah-o-Akbar” at them in the college premises.

The leader of the house moved a motion on February 11, 2022 for debate. The House on Monday started formal discussion on it and strongly condemned the incident.

Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri, Mushahid Hussain Syed, Irfan Siddiqui, Ejaz Chaudhary, Saadia Abbas, Keshoo Bai, Mir Tahir Bizenjo and Barrister Syed Ali Zafar said that extremist acts against Muslims in India are shameful which had exposed the true face of India before the world.

“Hindu extremists have made the life of Hijab-wearing students miserable in India.”

They said that Islam teaches us humanity, brotherhood and gives the lesson of peace.

The lawmakers urged the Ummah to stand “united against enemies of Islam who are targeting innocent Muslims”.

Appreciating the girl for taking a stand, they said the brave daughter faced the Hindu extremists with exemplary courage, which was being admired across the globe.

They criticised the international human rights organisations for not raising their voice against the Hindu extremists.

On the concerns of Senator Danesh Kumar that the Sindh police harassed Baloch people in Karachi, Senate Chairman Sadiq Sanjrani sought a report from the Sindh inspector general of police and chief secretary.