Conversion of Hindu minors triggers community uproar

The conversion of three Hindu sisters and their male cousin - two of them minors — to Islam in Sindh's Sanghar district sparked a backlash from the local Hindu community on Wednesday. Acting on urgent appeals from the parents of 13-year-old Hunain Kumar, 16-year-old Jiya, 19-year-old Disha, and 22-year-old Diya — as well as the Hindu Panchayat — police recovered all four on Thursday and arrested the suspect allegedly responsible for the conversions.

The three sisters and their cousin had left home without informing their families on Wednesday morning. Later that day, they released video messages stating they had accepted Islam of their own free will, without coercion. They also claimed they feared being harmed by their families for their decision.

At a press conference, the mothers of the siblings — visibly distressed and weeping — accused a local computer teacher, Farhan Khaskheli, of brainwashing and abducting the children. "I want my son back. He is only 13 years old and cannot understand religion," said Hunain Kumar's mother, breaking down in tears. She appealed directly to Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari to help recover her son.

The girls' mother also held Khaskheli responsible for the alleged conversion and abduction. "I have three daughters, and Khaskheli has taken all of them," she said through tears.

Rajesh Kumar, head of the Hindu Panchayat, described the incident as not just a family tragedy, but a communal one. "These girls are not just daughters of Hindus — they are daughters of Sindh," he said, while showing their photos and questioning whether they were mature enough to decide to change their religion.

Kumar added that the Hindu community had always lived in harmony with their Muslim neighbours and actively participated in Islamic festivals and local customs. He thanked civil society and politicians for their support and announced that the panchayat had held an emergency meeting in Sanghar on Wednesday.

Sanghar SSP Ghulam Nabi Keerio visited the panchayat during the meeting and assured the community of swift police action. The FIR was registered on the basis of the parents' complaint.