Discrimination and violence against religious minorities has become an ordinary occurance in
Pakistan. Earlier this month, Pakistan was placed in the list of “countries of particular concern”
for religious freedom violations by the United States.
On the 30th of December, a violent religious mob set fire to a Hindu temple in the Khyber
Pakhtunkhwa region of Pakistan and tried to tear it to the ground. The mob consisted of
thousands of religious fanatics and was led by clerics. The mob descended on the temple and
began breaking off bricks and set them on fire. The temple was empty at the time of the attack.
Realising the great impact that this attack had on the Hindi community in Pakistan, it is also
important to note the history that the temple had. It was built in 1919, before the partition of India
and Pakistan. It was demolished by a group of Muslims in 1997 as well. The temple was
undergoing reconstruction which led to resentment among the Muslims, this resentment led to
the attack led by Ulemas and clerics.
After a week of the attack, about 100 arrests have been made and 8 police officers have also
been suspended for their involvement in the vandalisation of the temple, the Pak SC has also
ordered the reconstruction of the temple in 2 weeks.
Two days after the attack, India protested against the incident and asked for an investigation
and strict action against the people responsible. The question that arises here is that if India can
question the mob destruction, inspite of prompt arrests, then why can other nations not
questions the treatment of minorities, especially Muslims, in India?
Discrimination and violence towards Hindu minorities and their places of worship is very
common in Pakistan which is a sad truth. This attack on the Hindu temple in Karak is yet
another example of perpetual discrimination faced by the Hindu community. Although action has
been taken against the perpetrators of the attack, the real reason behind it is the extremist
mindset of the people which can only be changed through education and awareness as well as
correct understanding of Islam that preaches the message of peace with non-Muslims just as
much as it does with Muslims.
