Police accused of ‘desecration’ of Ahmadi worship place in Wazirabad

A historical worship place of Ahmadi community situated at Moti Bazar has been allegedly desecrated by police

LAHORE:

A historical worship place of Ahmadi community situated at Moti Bazar, Wazirabad, which was established back in 1905, was allegedly desecrated by district administration (police) last night.

A local leader of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP), Irfan Iliyas Butt had filed a complaint before Assistant Commissioner Wazirabad stating that the Ahmadi community had established a room similar in looks to a nearby mosque with minarates on it.

He had sought action under Section 298-B and 298-C of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Section 298-C of PPC reads, "Any person of the Qadiani group or the Lahori group (who call themselves "Ahmadis" or by any other name), who directly or indirectly poses himself as a Muslim, or calls, or refers to, his faith as Islam, or preaches or propagates his faith, or invites others to accept his faith, by words, either spoken or written, or by visible representations, or in any manner whatsoever outrages the religious feelings of Muslims, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine."

Also read: Police accused of ‘desecration’ of Ahmadi worship place in Gujranwala

Spokesperson of the Ahmadi community while speaking to The Express Tribune decried the act stating it was "tantamount to discrimination against them as well as against the Supreme Court's judgement".

He further quoted a judgement by a three-member bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan headed by Justice Tassadaq Hussain Jilani.

As per the details of the ruling, it had asked for ensuring protection of minorities' worship places by the government. It had directed for establishment of task force in this regard.

He further revealed that "unfortunately the government bodies such as the police are demolishing our worship places, instead of protecting them."

It is pertinent to note that last month, minarates from a worship place of the Ahmadi community in Gujranwala were also demolished by police.

TLP leader Irfan Iliyas, when contacted over telephone, said he was not interested in sharing his version of the incident.