KARACHI:
Their logic is hard to argue with: why are Hindu men not converting? Why is it that only young girls of a marriageable age are surfacing in these cases? And if these girls are so keen to convert, why don’t they go to madrassas, learn the religion and then go through with it?
Shaking with rage, Amarnath Motumal of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), asked this barrage of questions at a press conference on Saturday. It was held with the tearful families of victims of forced conversions who demanded that their girls should be returned to them.
“When a girl is converted, why is she married off immediately?” Motumal said. “If she has converted for the sake of Islam, then why doesn’t she join a madrassa to educate herself and spread knowledge about the religion?”
He said that around 20 to 22 girls are being converted every month, but families do not go public as they fear the incident will ruin their reputation.
The family of 19-year-old Rinkle Kumari, who was allegedly abducted, forced to covert and marry a Muslim, claimed that they are receiving death threats.
“Take the case back or we will kill you all,” is the threat the family received on March 8, according to the Rinkle’s brother-in-law Inder Lal.
A frustrated Lal said that if Rinkle had converted and married of her own free will, she would have held a press conference immediately after the court’s decision. “For six days, she was quiet. It was only when the issue was raised internationally, that she came in front of the media.”
After the last court hearing in Sukkur, Rinkle appeared before the media and stated that she was not forced by anyone. But her family has stuck to its stance that Rinkle’s conversion to Islam and her marriage to Naveed Shah was forced.
“She did not even know the person,” exclaimed Rinkle’s father, Nand Lal, who is a primary school teacher in Mirpur Mathelo. “We have no internet or telephone connections at home, so there is no way she could have been in touch with Naveed.” He informed that Rinkle had recently completed her intermediate studies and two days before Rinkle was allegedly kidnapped, she was planning to go to Karachi to shop for her brother’s wedding.
While talking to The Express Tribune, the family provided new information about the alleged kidnapping. “Rinkle’s friend Kiran was the brains behind the plan. She took money from the kidnappers and gave them all the information about Rinkle,” accused Nand Lal. “We wanted to nominate Kiran in the FIR but the DSP refused.”
According to the family, Rinkle was kidnapped by armed men while on her way to the bathroom built in the courtyard.
“If she had planned to elope, she would have taken her slippers and her sweater,” pointed out her family members. “But she was kidnapped barefoot and without any warm clothes in the cold weather.”
The family, who are in Karachi for the time being, asked that Rinkle should be taken to a neutral place for at least eight days and be allowed to meet her family.
Raised voices
Rinkle’s mother covered her face with a dupatta and wept silently as the HRCP Sindh vice chairperson voiced the community’s troubles. “We can’t even sleep at night, wondering whether our kidnapped girls would become suicide bombers or would they be sold off into prostitution,” lamented Motumal.
He said that forced conversion is not a new practice, claiming that extremists are taking advantage of the religion by preaching at madrassas on how to convert non-Muslims.
“When an underage girl is forced to convert, she is not allowed to meet her family. She is told that the people who gave birth to her and raised her have become Kaafirs.”
Lata’s story
The press conference was also attended by the family of 29-year-old Dr Lata Kumari, who was kidnapped on February 28 on her way to the College of Physicians and Surgeons in DHA. Her family alleged that she has been forcibly converted and married to Nadir Baig Dhar, the son of a suspended judge.
Lata’s father, Dr Ramesh Kumar, spoke out against the harsh treatment that the family received in the court on March 7. “The police did not even let us meet Lata at the first hearing of the case and they beat us with sticks,” said Lata’s mother, a hypertension patient. “The kidnappers did not leave burqa-clad Lata alone for even a minute. Nadir and his goons would come in front of me every time I approached her. I could not even look at my daughter properly.”
Kumar said that they knew Nadir from before, claiming that the accused had converted five Hindu girls already. According to Lata’s brother Vishal, Nadir works at the quality assurance department of a motor company.
“Lata clutched my arm and asked me to do something for her,” said a teary eyed Joti, Lata’s sister. “Why are the criminals not letting us meet her, what are they scared of?”
Kumar alleged that the signature on the documents were not Lata’s.
Lata, who has an MBBS degree from Larkana, used to live at the Aga Khan hostel and had worked as a medical researcher. Two of her siblings are also doctors and live in Hyderabad, while the rest of the family lives in Jacobabad.
During the press conference, another suspected kidnapping came up. People from Jacobabad said that a Hindu girl Asha Devi, who used to work at a beauty parlour, never made it home from work.
HRCP’s Badar Soomro condemned the forced conversions of the three per cent minority population in the country. “Why are the extremists after the minorities? Let them live freely.”
On March 8, the Supreme Court directed the Sindh police IG to find Lata, Rinkle and another Hindu girl Pooja Devi, and present them at the next hearing on March 26. However, the families were not hopeful. “They [the courts] record statements under section 164 and then the girl is sent immediately with the criminals,” said Motumal. “She is given no time to think about her decision or talk to her family.”
He suggested that the court should give such girls a week’s time to make up their mind, while they stay at the Darul Aman with their mother.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 11th, 2012.
COMMENTS (76)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
What Hindus say against Muslims and Islam could equally be said against Hindus and Hinduism!
It is sad that followers of Islam says that their religion is peaceful whereas in practise they act like butchers. In India where they are in minority they get all privileges, and still they complain of injustice. When they are in majority like in Kashmir Muslims have butchered 100000 Kashmiri pandits and rest of the community has to run away from Kashmir. What is all these showing Islam is spreading like Cancer and it will destroy the world. How can they convert innocent Hindu girls and sell them to Arabs, If anybody thinks that the best thing they could do in this life to kill maximum number of muslims to get salvation you cannot blame him
It is not fair. Quaid e azam, every person is free to go mosque, temple or church.
Since all Muslims claim "Islam" as a religion of "equality," let it be a rule for all religions. If Muslim girls marry non-Muslims and convert to other religions, their freedom must also be respected.
*May be Hindu customs make it difficult for Hindu girls to marry Hindus and it is easier and convenient to convert to Islam and marry a Muslim? Abdul Wahid Osman Belal awobelal@yahoo.co.uk
Hello pakistan is a good country and take care its all citizens in this matter i can only say that this is a good simbol of sociality in pakistan muslims loves all the minorities of pakistan if a noin muslim girl is intrested in muslim the only way is to embrasse islam then if she became a muslim she can educate herself according to religion so we support these couple not making them a media stunt
@ ET Please stop posting it as case of forced conversion. It doesn't look like one. The girl is herself insisting that she converted of her own free will. So what's the problem? Court will decide the matter now. Forced conversions have happened in Sindh but this case is not just one of them. Better follow genuine cases. I mean i am with the victim but the problem is that she claims she is not a victim so what can we do? Same is the case with Dr. Lata who claimed that her father is lying and she married a Muslim of her won choice. Not a case of forced conversion either.
I absolutely agree that Hindus (or any other sexual/religious minority) are not given the rights in Pakistan. But let's not be judgmental here. It's very clear that the girl converted to Islam because she felt good about it.
The Hindu girls are converting for the same reason Muslim girls are quietly marrying Hindus in India! Only here the religion comes before marriage, there its considered after the marriage.
I am so lucky to be born in the United States. We're far from perfect, but perfect compared to this.
@Noble Tufail:
Charity begins from home.
No, Hindu's never kill the daughter if she get married to a Muslim,they only cut the relationship for whole life.
Girl will never tell the truth b/c she is under threat and pressure of her kidnapper, she can only tell the fact to her family in private,please keep her free for some time so she can think and speak the truth.
I will tell you were the problem is, it is in the hiding of facts. How come 17 year old Rinkle Kumari become 19 year old Fayal (according to the author of the article). She is a minor, this is a crime in any other country but in Pakistan its accepted because it is done at the pretext of religion. There is no crime in converting, it is an individual right but what happened to Rinkle is a shame that you don't want to happen to any of your sisters or daughters. I pity those who are defending this, you will judged by the same God you pray, I am sure this is not what he wants of you.
Not surprised. Philosophy encourages Muslims to do so.
Not surprised. This is the myth of Islam that if you can convert a non Muslim your fourteen generation will ascend into the Heaven. Actually philosophy encouraged them to do so.
I live in an area (Bath Island) where the cheapest property (Apartment) costs over 150k USD. The place is full to the brim with my Hindu brethren. Things are bad I agree, but they are bad generally for all of us.
truth is bitter and moderated
It's tyrannt. Hindu or Muslims , they are all Pakistani and every Pakistani should have right to live their lives they want to live. This type of kidnapping Practices and then marrying someone's daughter is inhumane. Neither Islam nor any Ethic permits such tyranny. Why these young boys remember Islam only when they have to run someone's daughter away? Do they even read the Islamic Book? I think this practice must stop and culprits be punished as much as death Penalty,. What is this Joke that happens to minorities every day? Did not our Prophet taught us just the opposite? What is this going on? These Kidnappers and looters must be dealt with Iron hand and parliament must pass a law covering these aspects and provide extra safety to Non-Muslim Pakistanis. Unless We start Hanging these culprits who do such things in the name of Islam do it for their own Lust. They must be Punished hard.
The Arabian Peninsula during the time of the Prophet was a region in which various faiths were present. There were Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, polytheists, and others not affiliated with any religion.
When In another article, it states, “the Jews have their religion and the Muslims have theirs.” In this, it is clear that anything other than tolerance would not be tolerated, and that, although all were members of a society, each had their separate religion which could not be violated.
Each was allowed to practice their beliefs freely without any hindrances, and no acts of provocation would be tolerated.one looks into the life of the Prophet, one may draw on many examples to portray the high level of tolerance shown to people of other faiths.
@Raw is War:Boy forcing anyone to do anything is against god's teachings. Reply me with quotation/verses from quran claiming what u said
@Dr. Inject: There are conditions with that; they can marry women of the book only if they can guarantee their offspring will be muslim, and based on my personal experience in the majority of cases I've seen, the children don't grow up as muslims if their mother isn't. Not to say that's an issue for those who are not bothered by it, just stating what I've seen!
Are there any Muslims in Pakistan? I doubt it. Everyone is more of a Hindu than a Muslim. Whatever happens here is far more influenced by Indian culture. This story doesn't make sense. Both shah rukh and Amir khan married Hindu girls.
Well, reading all the posts I'd say Court should deal this matter which is hanging b/w forcible & unforcible by setting free & transparent conditions to the girl saying "She will be given full protection along with her family after her decision - (it could take few days to take her in confidence) as no-one can challenge the writ of the government the decision that she's gonna make willingly will be obey by everyone - Let's Girl decide whether she would like to live the her family or without them " -
This guy is more enraged at conversion, not on the human rights violations. By the way he needs to realize that lots of Hindu men have also converted but it is really hard to make a case out of it.
Forced conversions are possible in countries like Pakistan and India but this couple looks genuine. Who would not fall in love and marry this beautiful young girl? She fell in love, converted and married, whats the big deal. Most of the time parent do not know what their off springs are doing. In India thousands of Muslim girls are marrying Hindu boys because they are educated and employed. Its reverse situation in Pakistan. Not in love or marriage, problem lies in her conversion to Islam. In my view Muslim men are more rigid, demanding and possess controlling nature than Hindu men, therefore they force their love mates to convert.
There have been real incidents of Hindu girls being killed by their own Hindu families for having a relationship with a Muslim.
show us any Hindu in lock up or jail. We are peace minded leave us peace full, for GOD sake. Your Holly Religion ISLAM does not teach you what you are doing. These all are your own hand made dramas
@shah: You say: " not like Muslims in Hindustan where they are killed and burned on daily basis and also not only Muslims but Christians as well"
Read newspapers from India and Pakistan and tell me if more Muslims are killed by Hindus in India are more Muslims are killed by Muslims in Pakistan. You can make a start with today's ET. It is full of news of Muslims killing Muslims in pakistan and all in the name of the holy religion. Same news of muslims killing muslims in all newspapers in Pakistan and throughout the world. Not a single news about Hindus killing Muslims in India or Pakistan.
It is this illiteracy and ignorance amongst some that has has brought such bad name for Islam.
Rinkle or Dr. Lata and the likes of them being kidnapped and in the name of Islam they are, so called, being converted by the Islam lovers. I think this deplorable act should be examined carefully and culprits should brought to justice. If these acts are ignored, tomorrow Muslims will suffer at the hands of Mullahs and these criminals in the name of Islam or any other religion.
One example should be enough when Ahmadis were declare non-Muslims by Bhutto in 1974, since then Mullahs have been blackmailing and now openly and brazenly supporting criminal acts. First it was Ahmadis who were targeted now Shias and then other communities within Sunnis and Shias will be targeted.
It's about time that People of Pakistan as well as the government of Pakistan should take some heed and take some action.
At grassroot level I believe local authorities should be made aware of such incidents and they should be held accountable if such girls are really "eloping" on her free will or not.
For true understanding visit www.alislam.org to understand forced conversion is allowable in Islam or not also, visit www.askislam.org
Hinduism suffered because it was more of an exclusive and excluding religion. Even so several tribes which invaded India, settled and in due course adopted the broad Hindu culture and were included in it as autonomous castes. There was no conversion spree at any time. Had the conversion idea later propagated by Arya Samaj (Shuddhi movement - in fact it is a 'reconversion' by 'purifying rites') was in vogue, at least 60-70% of Kashmiri Muslims would have been 'reconverted' to Hindus when Gulab Singh got that grand idea, broached that topic with religious heads and priests at Benares but withdrew it when they strongly censured him. A religion should grow by its own strength and moral authority. The word 'conversion' itself is a loathsome one. I would opt for total banning of any sort of proselytization activities, failing which at least strict safeguards as advocated by the Human Rights Commissioner should be there. What is the need to convert to some other religion after marriage. Akbar no doubt was an invader, but once settled as a ruler, he respected religious freedom of other communities and also his own spouses - they were not asked to convert and they continued all their idol worship etc. Only their children were brought up as Muslims.
@shah:
If that is true why do I not see hordes of Muslims who migrate from India to Pakistan. Interesting that virtually all the people who say Muslims have it bad in India are Pakistani Muslims who have never been to India.
@Kamath: are u crazy Hindus are so happy in Pakistan . not like Muslims in Hindustan where they are killed and burned on daily basis and also not only Muslims but Christians as well .
SO what is new here? Every one of our ancestors were converted to Islam in this shotgun type of fashion from Hinduism or Buddhism or Jainism prevalent in the region. But then we saw the light and became believers for the greater good, didn't we? Allah be praised.
@Nandlal: I know you are trembling to say the truth but fact of the matter is forced conversion. As rightly said why only girs are required in Islam not boys???? Only solution is migrate to India which can protect all its citizens irrespective of their religion
This is NPO special Pakistan related phenomena. If you look at statistics from the western world you will see that also here most women convert. So take a deep breath and let the brain refresh!
Do we really follow a religion or simply fascism? Are we Muslims allowed to ask questions in public openly? Are we just robots following a cruel religion?
@Bangladeshi: Muslim men can marry women of book (Judaism, Christianity)
entire pakistan and its philosophy revolves around islam. take any issue- blasphemy law, forced conversions, veena malik acting unislamic etc etc. no wonder pakistan is a failed state.
hindus are like jews, being persecuted in nazi germany (read pakistan). they should get out from there immediately.
@Noble Tufail: A muslim ( man or woman) can not marry a non muslim. Where did you get that a muslim can marry a non muslim? First learn about ISLAM and then comment.A non-muslim has to first convert to marry a muslim. It is as simple as that.
The whole problem is with the role model. If you study the life of Muslims' role model everything starts making sense.
Whats wrong with everyone. They are free to choose Hinduism, Islam, Chiristiranity, whatever. In this case, she fell in love with a Muslim man, and converted to marry him. Why is this so difficult to fathom and digest for ET. Let it go. I know you guys are agnostic, but most of us aren't. We understand why people would want to convert to one religion or another.
It is a very good question. Why are these girls married off within two days. Why are they not allowed to live a normal life like a muslim girl? Whats the reason behind marriage?
@naeem hussain: why so many muslim women marry hindu men...but no one is asked to convert to hindusim.In fact no such concept of converting into hinduism exists like no such words or concepts exists in hinduism like crusades..fatwa and jihad, kaffir shurk? what does this all mean? why do such words need to exist?
So sad, the fate of Hindus in Pakistan. Even women doctors are not spared!
Because Muslim girls/women are neglecting their Divine duty. Someone should translate Late Naseem Kharal's classic Sindhi story "Kafir" into Urdu and English.
@Bataan who asks "What would be the reaction of these contractors of Islam if news surface that muslim girls of marriageable age are converted into hunduism in India"
That's not the point. People from different religions convert to different religions in India. But out of free will.
In fact even in India, Hindus are the vulnerable ones! How ironic is that?!
To whom are you asking these questions ? If religious people had iota of though process left in them then we would not be seeing such stories
There logic is not hard to argue Hindu women change their religion to marry Muslim men but Muslim women are not interested to marry Hindu men. There is no controversy in this issue it is just another campaign against Pakistan by troika of Jews, Christians and Hindus.
We need a documentary on these cases.
Courts are fake... Govt is with criminals... CJ a person with no interest to take stand even in balochistan case where from he got his domicile... Don't worry this country is next afghanistan...
I think it is time for Hindus to understand that, in a few years, hindus will be extinct in Pakistan and this is what happens when muslims are in majority in a country. All words like Secularism becomes become poison and they chuck it out..
Oh I see! This is how Mohammad Bin Qasim too liberated the innocent women of Mehran from the clutches of a "cruel" ruler. The history is repeating itself.
I support parent’s plea. There is no compulsion in Islam nor any book favours forced conversion. Beside, it’s a thought provoking question: why male members are not converting why only girls? Let be realistic & honest. Don’t defame this religion of peace & love by hurting other minorities. Our prophet (SAW) doesn’t have a single example where he applies these practice despite of having all the power in his hands.
What would be the reaction of these contractors of Islam if news surface that muslim girls of marriageable age are converted into hunduism in India
Soon Hindu men won't have Hindu women to marry, and either they convert to Islam to marry a muslim women or die as bachelor. Genocide complete.
Everyone knows the kidnapping incidence is going on for a long time, but who is going to speak for the minorities? The threat of apostasy keeps the kidnapped women in servitude.
rinkle has been kidnapped and held hostage by the religious fanatics for many weeks now.she has been under their control and intimidation,how does the court expect her to give her statement against her kidnappers? ofcourse she will state that she did it by her wish.a minority kidnap victim surrounded by religious fanatics can't be expected to make a statement against their wishes. Then the religious fanatics will use this statement as a propaganda tool to fool the world into thinking that no forced conversions take place in pakistan.People should remember that there have been thousands of such kidnap and convert cases before.One statement obtained under coercion when the kidnappers surround the victim can't hide the truth of thousands of hindu girls before rinkle.
where are Human Rights Advocates now? Those who shout for Muslims all over the world but their sympathy is only limited to Muslims. For the rest, only denial and hypocrisy of the state of Pakistan and the so called Commissions.
The writer may please extend the orbit of her research .70% of all the people converting to Islam all around the world are women.
Violence against minority is a shame and it must not only be condemend but all those perpetrator should be brought to before law and should be extended exemplary punishments. But to connect this trend with the conversion of people to Islam (even when they are saying that they have converted by there own free will ) is plainly wrong and immoral.
http://www.interfaithshaadi.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=123:why-i-am-a-hindu&Itemid=78&layout=default
Something about Hinduism..
In a society where oppression has become the norm, we cannot rule out the claims of these grieving parents lightly. Pakistan was built supposedly to guarantee freedom from religious oppression. That it was a bogus claim is now so apparent. Do not have words to express my outrage on these incidents. Maybe other readers can suggest some solutions.
There is a great problem of non muslims (esp HINDUS) in Pakistan. These extremist mullahs want to convert every non-muslim into Islam to show Islam is a great religion. They would go to any extent. There is no reason to believe this was a genuine conversion. Conversion doesn't happen in a day. It happens slowly. And why only YOUNG MARRIAGEABLE GIRLS converting, why not old women? men? Its because older women will not produce muslim babies. Right?
Hindus and other secular people must sustain a campaign to raise the voices of the oppressed people and document all the kidnappings and forced conversions that are happening. I salute all the brave people (even Muslims) who are raising the voice of the oppressed and the ET for bringing these issues in the mainstream press.
There is absolutely no doubt that forced conversions of hindu girls do occur in Pakistan. Rinkle Kumari's case is one among them. This probably is the mullah oriented people's idea of spreading Islam thru forced conversions. This reduces the possiblity of increase in hindu population by converting one female rather than a male. Whether the male is converted or not the female muslim will still produce muslim offsprings where as without conversion, a hindu woman is likely to produce hindu offsprings. Yet another grandoise idea of stupidity.
I want to see the same public/legal support for a muslim girl to marry a hindu boy.
Why do these parents not accept the fact that their daughter converted to Islam by thier own free will. They have the fear that thier hindu community wont spare them as their daughter have married the man of thier own choice that is why giving silly arguments that they were forcibly converted. My own brother converted to Islam and in the beginning faced alot of hard time even death threats by my hindu community but now with the passage of time, we have accepted him. I request the family of the girls not to give hard time to them ane to let them live according to their own desire and stop playing the blame game.
Dear sir
it is called a shot-gun wedding. shot-gun weilders here being bearded bigoted mullahs. Also no muslim father will allow his daughter to be married to a Hindu boy. Of course, Hindu's in Pakistan are nothing more than animals- so their women can be converted at will for the greater glory of Islam and Prophet Mohammed, the "merciful".
That's a taunt. Not all of our Muslim women are suicide bombers or prostitutes.
not matter how i try to console myself by believing that most of the pakistanis are peaceful and secular people but these incidents always prove otherwise. there are rogue elements in every society but the question is no-where does the state gets involved in such crimes against its own citizens, YES they are PAKISTANIS and not aliens...for god sake for allah's sake dont do such crimes it only maligns your religion's image.
Sad state of affairs, the country which fights for the rights of people in another country can't even keep its state in order Hypocrisy at its best. I pity the victims. Minorities should immediately convert to Islam, possibly to shia sect so that they can have their revenge without worrying about the law in Pakistan.
Very sad to hear abt this.if true the kidnappers should be hung and the govt should apologize . I would encourage u to keep ur readers posted on the resolution. Jamal
Hindus in Pakistan are like the Jews in Nazi Germany. They need to leave before it is too late and the world sees a second holocaust. Come and partake of the riches of a secular and protective India, away from this cesspit of violence and hate.