News Desk
SARGODHA, May 27, 2024:
A Christian man in Sargodha’s Mujahid Colony is fighting for his life after a mob brutally attacked him and set his house and shoe factory on fire over accusations of desecrating the Holy Quran. This incident underscores the escalating violence against Christians in Punjab.
The victim, Nazir Gill, was critically injured and is currently receiving medical treatment after police rescued him from the mob’s attempt to lynch him. The accusations were made by a member of hardliner religious party, who alleged that Gill had burned pages of the Quran. In response, the police have registered a case against Gill under blasphemy laws and the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Following the accusations, an enraged mob stormed Gill’s home and factory, causing extensive property damage. The violence has instilled fear among the local Christian community, prompting many to flee their homes and seek refuge in nearby churches. A significant police presence eventually dispersed the mob, but the community remains on edge.
Human rights activists have strongly condemned the attack. Joseph Jansen, a prominent activist, highlighted the incident’s similarity to last year’s mob violence in Jaranwala tehsil of Faisalabad, where 26 churches were attacked over alleged desecration of the Quran. Jansen pointed out the alarming trend of people taking the law into their own hands, reflecting a severe loss of trust in the police and judiciary.
“It’s alarming that people feel compelled to take the law into their own hands, indicating a severe loss of trust in the police and judiciary,” Jansen remarked. He noted that at least 100 people have been extrajudicially killed under blasphemy accusations in recent years. Jansen called for urgent government intervention to curb mob justice and foster a law-abiding, tolerant society.
Another activist, Ashkinaz Khokhar, emphasized the need for timely police action in blasphemy cases to prevent mob violence and save lives. “This is only possible if the police fulfill their responsibility to maintain law and order and protect the accused from extrajudicial killings,” Khokhar stated.
Human rights defender, Nadia Stephen criticized the government’s inability to de-radicalize citizens and its lack of political will to reform laws related to defamation of religion. She stressed the need for serious actions against those inciting violence.
Activists have urged the government to halt the misuse of blasphemy laws, protect victims from mob violence, and enforce existing laws against those making false accusations and resorting to violence. They also called for measures to restore peace and security in Sargodha and end the practice of vigilante justice.
I Strongly condemn of this incident