The incident that took place in Joseph Colony, Lahore, is another manifestation of the the utter failure of the state to protect the rights of minorities guaranteed by both Islam and the constitution of the country. No moral, religious or legal code in the world allows such arbitrary acts of violence against any individual. This obviously was a mischievous activity that could have been averted through effective and sufficient security arrangements provided by the local police.
Islam strives for the establishment of a pluralistic, pacific, egalitarian and tolerant society discouraging and prohibiting all forms and manifestations of violence, extremism and bigotry. Such incidents not only bring a bad name to the country but also distort the true spirit and the real image of Islam. As there already is a blasphemy law in the country, individuals should not be allowed to take the law into their own hands by persecuting minorities.
The Punjab government, as usual, has reacted by resorting to traditional and routine measures like condemning the incident, announcing compensation for the victims and ordering an inquiry by a commission. The Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah, has vowed on behalf of the Punjab government to rebuild the burnt houses with the best construction materials. The damaged houses may be repaired but the injured sentiments of the victims and the negative image of the country conveyed worldwide is beyond repair.
Mohsin Raza Malik
Published in The Express Tribune, March 12th, 2013.
