A large number of peaceful Shia protestors gathered near India Gate on Sunday to condemn the violent killings of religious minorities by extremist elements the world over, including the beheading of an Indian solider on the Line of Control, the recent firing at the religious congregation of Shia Muslims in Lucknow and strikes by Taliban on religious minorities in Pakistan.
A number of speakers at the gathering made references to the recent bomb strikes in Quetta, Pakistan, that left several dead and many injured. “Over 2,000 innocent persons have been killed in Pakistan over the last 12 months by extremists. And now it seems the patrons of the same extremist ideology have opened their violent campaign in India as well. We vehemently oppose it,” said Qamar A. Rizvi from Save Our Society, the organiser of the protest.
Mr. Rizvi also strongly condemned the “inability” of Pakistani administration to control fundamentalism by not delivering justice in cases related to terror.
“We saw how they have been non-serious about the 26/11 investigations. And it’s the same complex approach of their authorities that is the reason behind the rise of terrorism in Pakistan,” he added.
Coming down heavily on the Pakistani administration, the gathering also condemned the gruesome and unethical beheading of an Indian soldier at the LoC.“Instead of addressing their own internal problems, they are engaging in misadventures on the LoC. We believe the Government of India must take a strong position against such acts and suspend the peace process till there is a display of commitment from the Pakistani side,” argued Mr. Rizvi.
“Taliban is an offshoot of the Saudi-backed global extremism propaganda and is being patronised by a few institutions in India too. Its high time these organisations and their agendas are exposed. Indian Muslims are today united to condemn this trend of Talibanisation of Indian society,” he added.
