Mob violence: Blasphemy law reform demanded
Three protests held in city against Kot Radha Kishan murders.
LAHORE:
Protesters demanded a clear definition of blasphemy law as three demonstrations were held in the city on Sunday against the murder of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan on November 4.
On Sunday, churches around the city condemned the brutal murder of the Christian couple. Some 300 people from various groups protested at Faisal Chowk. They were carrying placards against the wrong use of anti-blasphemy law.
Addressing the gathering, Maseha Millat Party chairman Aslam Sahotra said that the government should take concrete steps to stop people from using the law against minorities of the country.
He demanded that the punishment of falsely accusing someone of blasphemy should be death.
“The law should not be applied to minorities. If it is to be applied, they should first be educated about Islam so they are aware of its religious sensitivities,” he said.
Sahotra said that the government was planning to shelve cases registered in the Kot Radha Kishan incident.
Human Liberation Commission General Secretary Naseeb Anjum Chaudhry and Father Samsun Dilawar of Catholic Christians also participated in the protest.
The second protest was held at Walton Road where members of the Christian community blocked the road before dispersing peacefully.
Members of Christian and Muslim communities also gathered at Lucie Harrison Girls High School at Waris Road to protest against the Kot Radha Kishan incident.
Addressing the participants, Pakistan Ulema Council president Tahir Ashrafi said that a judicial inquiry should be launched into the killings. “We do not want the chief minister to make another inquiry committee that will do nothing. Family members of the murdered couple are being threatened by the accused. The state must provide them protection,” he said.
He criticised the government for not completing the Gojra and Joseph Colony inquiries. “I know nothing will happen in the Kot Radha Kishan case. Police has nominated so many people in the FIR that it has weakened the case,” he said.
“Hundreds of people have been killed so far because of the blasphemy law, out of which only a fraction were Christians. Muslims are also being targetted under this law,” he said.
Church of Pakistan president Bishop Samuel Azariah said that people should be provided with a clear definition of the blasphemy law.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2014.
Protesters demanded a clear definition of blasphemy law as three demonstrations were held in the city on Sunday against the murder of a Christian couple in Kot Radha Kishan on November 4.
On Sunday, churches around the city condemned the brutal murder of the Christian couple. Some 300 people from various groups protested at Faisal Chowk. They were carrying placards against the wrong use of anti-blasphemy law.
Addressing the gathering, Maseha Millat Party chairman Aslam Sahotra said that the government should take concrete steps to stop people from using the law against minorities of the country.
He demanded that the punishment of falsely accusing someone of blasphemy should be death.
“The law should not be applied to minorities. If it is to be applied, they should first be educated about Islam so they are aware of its religious sensitivities,” he said.
Sahotra said that the government was planning to shelve cases registered in the Kot Radha Kishan incident.
Human Liberation Commission General Secretary Naseeb Anjum Chaudhry and Father Samsun Dilawar of Catholic Christians also participated in the protest.
The second protest was held at Walton Road where members of the Christian community blocked the road before dispersing peacefully.
Members of Christian and Muslim communities also gathered at Lucie Harrison Girls High School at Waris Road to protest against the Kot Radha Kishan incident.
Addressing the participants, Pakistan Ulema Council president Tahir Ashrafi said that a judicial inquiry should be launched into the killings. “We do not want the chief minister to make another inquiry committee that will do nothing. Family members of the murdered couple are being threatened by the accused. The state must provide them protection,” he said.
He criticised the government for not completing the Gojra and Joseph Colony inquiries. “I know nothing will happen in the Kot Radha Kishan case. Police has nominated so many people in the FIR that it has weakened the case,” he said.
“Hundreds of people have been killed so far because of the blasphemy law, out of which only a fraction were Christians. Muslims are also being targetted under this law,” he said.
Church of Pakistan president Bishop Samuel Azariah said that people should be provided with a clear definition of the blasphemy law.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 10th, 2014.