‘Forced conversion’ sparks heated debate in Sindh PA

The Sindh Assembly witnessed a tense debate on Thursday over the alleged abduction of a teenage Hindu girl, named Sohna Sharma.

Provincial Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla assured the house that the government would take necessary measures to invoke and enforce relevant laws.

He emphasised the fundamental right of individuals to choose their religion without any coercion, while firmly stating that no one should be compelled to convert under duress.

The assembly session, presided over by Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani, commenced with a two-hour delay. PPP MPA Lal Chand expressed his anger over the alleged kidnapping of 14-year-old Sohna Sharma from the minority Hindu community.

The speaker advised him to address his concerns at a later time, which led Chand to claim that the voices of the minority communities were being stifled even on the smallest matters. In response, the speaker turned off Chand's microphone, effectively silencing him.

Later, Chand informed the legislators that 14-year-old Sharma from their community had been abducted in Qazi Ahmad, and later her nikahnama (marriage certificate) was presented to establish that she had married a man of her own choosing.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2023.