Religion based attacks often take place in Pakistan, leading to a growing concern. Recently, a mob attacked a Christian community in an eastern city of Pakistan. According to multiple sources including the BBC, a mob angered over the desecration of the Quran by two Christians have set fire to several churches and vandalized many homes of a Christian community. Though the recent attacks have been carried out as a reaction to the attacks on religion, religious minorities are often attacked without any provocation many times. The positive side is that Pakistani officials have arrested many of those who carried out attacks on churches in reaction to religious provocations.
The reactive acts of religious violence mostly involve the desecration of religious texts, including the Quran and sacred symbols. The defamation of religious figures by publishing cartoons, caricatures or any other means also sparks outrage and demonstrations. The attacks on a Christian neighborhood in Lahore in 2013 and the mob violence against Ahmadiyya Muslims in 2010 are two instances. Sometimes, religion based attacks in other countries lead to violence against religious minorities in Pakistan. But the incidents of attacks based on religion, the targeted killings of individuals belonging to religious minority groups and the destruction of religious places without provocations are often reported in the country. The attacks on local Catholic and Protestant churches in Lahore in 2015 are an example.
Pakistan has definitely taken constitutional, legal and other steps to address religious violence. The Constitution of Pakistan guarantees rights and protection to all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs. The Pakistani government has formulated various laws and regulations including the Blasphemy law — a stricter and highly criticized law — to prevent hate speech and the incitement of religious violence. Additionally, Pakistan has established specialized task forces and law enforcement units to ensure the swift response and investigation of any incidents related to religious violence and has taken measures to promote interfaith harmony and dialogue through initiatives including interfaith forums and educational programs. But efforts focus less on addressing the root causes of religious violence and promoting religious tolerance.
The root causes of religious provocations and attacks on minorities are definitely multifaceted and complex. Religious violence in Pakistan can be traced back to the partition of India in 1947 — which resulted in the creation of Pakistan as a separate Muslim-majority nation. But political tensions, extremist ideologies and socioeconomic disparities mostly contribute to the perpetuation of religious violence at present. Extremist groups and individuals have taken advantage of historical religious conflicts and religious provocations to further their own agendas, perpetuating a cycle of religious intolerance and violence in the country. But whatever the reasons may be, the acts of violence undermine the principles of religious freedom and pose a threat to the social makeup of Pakistan.
It is desired that the problems of religious provocations and attacks on religious minorities and their properties be addressed in Pakistan. The emphasis is definitely needed to be given to addressing the root causes of religious provocation and violence by non-legal means and the promotion of religious diversity and tolerance. But strengthening efforts to protect religious minorities is also imperative in Pakistan. Policy reforms and community engagement may be helpful in creating a more tolerant society for all religious groups in Pakistan. But religious groups also need to refrain from religious provocation and vandalism.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
