But, where there is no doubt is the fact that following the whipping up of frenzy, the police arrested the child who they agree is not mentally stable and unable to answer questions. Her parents have been taken into protective custody. Numerous Christian families have fled the area after receiving threats. The US government and local human rights groups have taken notice of this act of cruelty committed under the guise of the blasphemy law.
Time and again, we have seen the most terrible acts enacted in the name of the blasphemy law. Just months ago, a mentally unwell man was burnt alive in Punjab after being snatched from a police station following accusations that he had committed blasphemy. It is uncertain what has become of that case. A significant number of victims said to be suffering mental disease remain in jail. Others are behind bars as a result of acts of victimisation or to settle petty disputes. Last year, former Punjab governor and, a few months later, a cabinet minister were shot dead for speaking out against the blasphemy law and the terrible incidents it had introduced to our society.
The president has sought a report on this latest case. This is all very well but we wonder when the government will gather the courage to amend a law that has been repeatedly used in the most hideous fashion against those who are unable to defend themselves. We wonder how many more such cases will emerge before change can be introduced and events such as those that took place in this case will be brought to an end.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 23rd, 2012.
COMMENTS (26)
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@mr. righty rightist: Just thought I'd share a personal experience - don;t care two hoots if you don;t believe, mate!
Enforcement is the problem, not the law. The government which is based on NRO, theft, corruption can't be expected to enforce law and order.
@Arindom: "Can you imagine a muslim engineering student from Bombay denied entry into BARC centre in India?"
In fact a Muslim was put in charge of the nuclear project in India. He went onto become President under BJP rule - the same BJP that is described as right wing. Thus the term right wing in India has a very different connotation to the word right wing in Pakistan.
"we wonder when the government will gather the courage to amend a law that has been repeatedly used in the most hideous fashion against those who are unable to defend themselves."
When ordinary Pakistanis use their own bodies to protect their politicians from fanatics maybe then these same politicians will be courageous enough to amend the blasphemy law. Until then, why be another Taseer?
Need to eliminate this law completely.
Acceptance of TRUTH is simply not acceptable to a large section of the population. The Media may be crying itself hoarse now but honesty will demand what was its reaction when the Blasphemy Law was being enacted. Similarly a majority has been peddling the theory that the majority of the country comprises moderates, even though for years the few moderates were running for cover. To get ahead in this competitive World the first prerequisite is to get rid of the medieval mindset which has unfortunately manifest itself in the education system and very sadly corrupted the Constitution. If Cancer could be cured by Band aid prescription, the world would be illness free.
of this act of cruelty committed under the guise of the blasphemy law. sorry but I don't agree with you on this. This is all due to lawlessness not due to the law. Exactly which law motivates or tribal elders when they give ruling for burying of women and issue decree for wani and gang rape. Which law is followed by the target killers in Karachi?
don't blame the law it will only undermine this case. As the report suggests that the girl suffers from some kind of mental syndrome, the law dose not apply on her.
@Arindom
Your story is worse than Zaid Hamid's Sakkina Biwi's story.
The whole world knows the persecution of minorities in Pakistan. No need to make up stories.
The civalions are too impotent to protect their citizens from goons.No hope at all from politicians as they have proven their covardice time and again.They need clear signals from generals before they go after this menace.Since generals have no mood to give up their assets politicians will never interfere in others domain.They can do it alone if they unite together but they wouldn't.They are cowards and selfish.Complete silence of ruling elites will not avoid streams of blood flowing from all sides of this poor land.
When you people have guts to against this law. Present government try but in the end there people killed and killer get flowers from the people.
I met a Pakistani Hindu engineering student recently - and he recounted a story. He went on a college educational tour to a nuclear research centre with his class mates. To his utter surprise, on being found he was a Hindu, the research centre asked him to wait outside in the college bus with the driver while the rest, all muslim fellow students were alllowed to meet the researchers and go inside. This is a top engineering college in Karachi!
Can you imagine a muslim engineering student from Bombay denied entry into BARC centre in India?
Madam, you are living in a make-believe paradise!
"Whoever willfully defies "
How can one measure the "willfulness" of a person ??.this is an obscure definition as no can measure the willfulness of a person.No wonder why the minorities are ill treated by this law.The definition at least needs to be redefine to include the "precise action" against which this law can be applicable.
So is the editor suggesting that repealing the law will prevent such acts from happening? Ofcourse not ! Infact if anything the girl is safer in the jail although i dont agree with that happening?
These lunatics have not really read the Quran , what to talk of Pakistans Constitution or 295-B for that matter.
There will always be people who are prone to violence. A few hours back a man was lynched to death in Tando Adam although unrelated shows the problem is a sociological one and more because of an ineffective prosecution and justice system rather than due to inaccurate legislation.
The real blasphemy is giving the christian law in pakistan teeth and calling it an Islamic law - this has NOTHING to do with Islam and is simply a tool for the Mullahs to control and manipulate the gullible masses in the name of Islam.
The law should be repealed as its against Islam, Shariah and the ways of The last Prophet pbuh.
There is nothing wrong with the law provided certain checks are incorporated to prevent its misuse. Every law has certain loop holes which can result into the conviction of an innocent. For example in a murder case usually the aggrieved party instead of getting the case registered against one person who is the actual murderer would nominate all the near relatives along with the actual murderer. After the inclusion of names in the FIR, all these individuals who are otherwise innocent have to be arrested and put behind the bar. There are hundreds of such cases registered in our rural areas every year but these are not publicized. In my opinion in all such cases registered under the blasphemy law, investigations should not be left to the SHO of the area. These cases should be investigated by by an independent team under the supervision of a Superintendent of Police. If as a result of the investigation it is proved that the allegations of blasphemy have been leveled due to enmity or with malicious intent then the law should also prescribe a deterring punishment for the individual who has been found guilty of leveling false allegations. If the allegations are found correct then the investigating team / court must establish the intention of the accused. If it is established that the accused has committed blasphemy unintentionally then the accused must be set free provided he conveys a written expression of repentance to the court. It should also be ensured that the blasphemy law should be equally applied to those Muslims who are found guilty of blasphemy and not the non Muslims only. I am sure with a bit of head scratching we should be able to incorporate certain other checks to prevent the misuse of this law.
@Muhammad Sarfraz: well said! it is the problem. Tt is cruelty that down syndrom kid is brutalized like that. these kid have subnormal intelligence but very pleasant in nature. Also where she got the noorani quaida? Did she buy it ? no if she got it she might have got it in street where a momin might have thrown it.
It's not the 'misuse' of the law that is the problem,It's the 'law' itself that is. Why beat about the bush and not talk about the 800 pound gorilla in the room? It's this law itself that is the problem.Relgion has no place in the matters of the government.They should be kept separate.
We've tried faith;we've got misery and conflict in return,it's time to give atheism a chance.
It's time rationality and critical thinking were made cornerstones of our lives instead of religious dogma.An obsession with religion has led men to commit horrors throughout history.Instead of finding refuge in religion,one should learn to analyse everything rationally with an open mind.
An accurate an courageous editorial! Congratulations to ET for saying what needs to be said. If Pakistani politicians had the good sense of ET then Pakistan would become a better place to live...
Nice editorial.
Worth repeating. Unfortunately your govt didn't have the guts to amend the law let alone get rid of it. It's time for Pakistan to put the "peace" back into the "religion of peace" and stand up to the extremist who seem to have taken control.