August 10, 2021
3 mins read

Hindu boy, 8, youngest to be charged with blasphemy in Pakistan

The eight-year-old Hindu boy is accused of intentionally desecrating library of a madrassa, where religious books were kept, last month….reports Asian Lite News

An eight-year-old Hindu boy is being held in protective police custody in Pakistan after becoming the youngest person ever to be charged with blasphemy in the country, a media report said on Monday.

According to the Guardian news report, the boy’s family is in hiding and many of the Hindu community in the conservative district of Rahim Yar Khan in Punjab province, have fled their homes after a Muslim crowd attacked a Hindu temple after the boy’s release on bail last week.

Troops were deployed to the area to quell any further unrest.

On August 7, 20 people were arrested in connection with the temple attack.

The boy is accused of intentionally urinating on a carpet in the library of a madrassa, where religious books were kept, last month.

Blasphemy charges can carry the death penalty, the Guardianreport said.

Speaking from an undisclosed location, a member of the boy’s family told the Guardian: “He (the boy) is not even aware of such blasphemy issues and he has been falsely indulged in these matters. He still doesn’t understand what his crime was and why he was kept in jail for a week.

“We have left our shops and work, the entire community is scared and we fear backlash. We don’t want to return to this area. We don’t see any concrete and meaningful action will be taken against the culprits or to safeguard the minorities living here.”

ALSO READ: Mob vandalises Hindu temple in Pakistan

Blasphemy charges filed against a child have shocked legal experts, who say the move is unprecedented. No one this young has ever been charged with blasphemy before in Pakistan.

The Guardian report said blasphemy laws have been disproportionately used in the past against religious minorities in Pakistan.

Although no blasphemy executions have been carried out in the country since the death penalty was introduced for the crime in 1986, suspects are often attacked and sometimes killed by mobs.

Ramesh Kumar, a lawmaker and head of the Pakistan Hindu Council, said: “The attack on the temple and blasphemy allegations against the eight-year-old minor boy has really shocked me. More than a hundred homes of the Hindu community have been emptied due to fear of attack.”

Kapil Dev, a human rights activist, said: “I demand charges against the boy are immediately dropped, and urge the government to provide security for the family and those forced to flee.

“Attacks on Hindu temples have increased in the last few years showing an escalating level of extremism and fanaticism. The recent attacks seem to be a new wave of persecution of Hindus.”

Ahmad Nawaz, a spokesperson for the Rahim Yar Khan district police, said: “Police are hunting the attackers and police teams are conducting raids to arrest the culprits but there has been no arrest made yet.”

Prime Minister Imran Khan, condemned the mob attack on Twitter and said he has ordered the provincial police chief to take action against anyone involved, including negligent police officers. He promised the government would restore the temple.

In New Delhi, India’s External Affairs Ministry summoned a Pakistani diplomat to protest the attack and demand the safety of Hindu families living in the Muslim-majority country.

According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedoms report published last year, Pakistan reported the highest number of incidents of mob activity, mob violence, and/or threats of mob violence as a result of alleged blasphemous acts.

Four countries account for nearly 80 per cent of all reported incidents of mob activity, mob violence, and/or threats of mob violence as a result of alleged blasphemous acts in countries with criminal blasphemy laws between 2014 and 2018.

ALSO READ: Pakistan to host regional conference on Afghanistan

ALSO READ: Pakistan may target dissidents in UK

Previous Story

Vaccine hesitancy among young falls in UK

Next Story

UK Seeks Global Climate Action as UN Sounds Alarm

Latest from -Top News

World Bank Warns of Growing Poverty in Pakistan

Instead of concentrating on rural development to reduce poverty, the Pakistan government has been focused more on increasing defence expenditure….reports Asian Lite News The World Bank has voiced deep concern over Pakistan’s

Peace in Afghanistan Vital, Says India

The Indian delegation at the meeting was led by Ambassador to Russia Vinay Kumar who expressed support for independent, peaceful and stable Afghanistan….reports Asian Lite News On Tuesday, India reaffirmed that a

India, Qatar Strengthen Trade Ties

Goyal expressed optimism about the growing economic engagement between the two countries, stating, “Glad to meet Ahmed bin Mohammed Al-Sayed….reports Asian Lite News Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal met

Keir Starmer Lands in Mumbai for First India Visit

The visit, described by No.10 Downing Street as a “two-day trade mission to Mumbai,” is focused on strengthening trade ties…reports Asian Lite News United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Mumbai
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Govt will not succumb to PTIs pressure, say Sharifs

Nawaz told Shehbaz to “continue doing his best to take

4 Pak soldiers killed in attack from ‘Iranian soil’

The development comes as Pakistan tackles rising terror attacks especially