On September 15, 2019, in Ghotki city of Sindh province of Pakistan, a large number of extremist Muslims desecrated three Hindu temples, a private school and attacked shops and houses belonging to the Hindu community over the allegation of blasphemy against the Hindu principal of the Sindh Public School made by a school student.[1] A delegation investigating the attack found that the attacks were pre-planned and had political support.[2]
| Date | September 15, 2019 |
|---|---|
| Location | Ghotki, Sindh, Pakistan |
| Type | Riot |
| Cause | Alleged derogatory remarks made against Prophet Muhammed, found to be politically motivated |
| Target | Singh Public School, three Hindu temples including the Sacho Satram Das temple, and Hindu houses and shops |
| Participants | At least 218 rioters |
Background
editOn 14 September, a student in the Sindh Public School in Ghotki complained to his father that the principal had allegedly made derogatory remarks against Prophet Muhammad. The student also made a video about this, which went viral. Following this, protesters filed an FIR against the principal on the night of 14 September.[3]
On 15 September, thousands of supporters of Mian Mithoo held sit-ins on the main roads and marched towards the school. Mian Aslam was leading the mob. Mian Mitho, the brother of Mian Aslam, has allegedly been involved in the forced conversion of Hindu girls in the past. Mian Mitho denied his involvement in the attack.[3][4]
The mob desecrated Hindu temples including the famous Sacho Satram Das temple, vandalised the school and attacked houses and shops belonging to the members of the Hindu community. The mobs also damaged sacred items inside the temple.[3][5][6]
Response
editCases against 218 people involved in the attack were registered in three separate cases.[3]
Following the attack, many local Muslims in Ghotki held a rally to show solidarity with the Hindu community. Many Muslims spent the night in the temple to protect the Hindus, who were taking refuge inside it.[6]
Bilawal Bhutto, Chairman of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) visited the Sacho Satram Dham temple which was desecrated and condemned the attack.[7]
A delegation was formed by Ministry of Human Rights to investigate the attacks which found that the attacks on temples and riots were pre-planned and had political support. The delegation found that the principal accused of blasphemy actively supported a political party in the recent Ghotki by-elections and attacking him was politically motivated. The delegation also found that local police were reluctant to even register FIR against the rioters.[2][8]
Aftermath
editIn 2024, the principal in question was acquitted of the blasphemy charge against him after spending five years in jail.[9]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Ghotki mob runs amok after Hindu principal accused of blasphemy". Pakistan Today. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ a b Jamal Shahid (28 September 2019). "Ghotki riots were pre-meditated, says fact-finding team". Dawn. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ a b c d Sameer Mandhro (16 September 2019). "Blasphemy allegation: Over 200 booked for anti-Hindu riots in Ghotki". Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Forced conversions of Pakistani Hindu girls". Daily Times. 19 September 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ Sameer Mandhro (15 September 2019). "Mob runs riot in Ghotki after Hindu teacher booked for alleged blasphemy". Express Tribune. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ a b Zubair Qureshi (17 September 2019). "Pakistan temple attack: Muslim locals offer support to Hindus". Gulf news. Retrieved 2 November 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Bilawal visits ransacked temple, mosque in Ghotki". Dawn. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 2 November 2019.
- ^ Mohammad Hussain Khan (8 September 2019). "Ghotki attacks on Hindu community conspiracy to foment communal unrest,' probe finds". Dawn. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
- ^ "Hindu teacher acquitted in blasphemy case after five years". The Express Tribune. 2024-03-01. Retrieved 2024-05-03.