In a move that has drawn widespread appreciation, a police officer in Karachi has invoked Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code to register a blasphemy case against Muslims who vandalized a Hindu temple in the metropolis on September 21 during the rioting against the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims.
Nine people including a local cleric have been named in the case for attacking the Shri Krishna Bhagwan Mandir in the Gulshan-e-Maymar area of Karachi. Though many of those facing blasphemy charges in Pakistan are Muslims themselves under Section 295-B and C which specifically pertains to showing disrespect to the Holy Quran or the Prophet respectively, it is rare that the original blasphemy law - introduced by the British in 1927 - has been invoked here.
Article 295-A pertains to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs. This provision had been introduced by the British to prohibit blasphemy towards all religions. Subsequently, during the Zia-ul-Haq era, this was amended to introduce 295-B to punish with life those accused of defiling the Quran and later 295-C that awards death to anyone showing disrespect to the Prophet.
In fact, studies have shown that Article 295-A had been invoked only 10 times between 1927 and 1986 when 295-C was introduced. Since then, the blasphemy law has been used frequently with at least 1,000 such cases.
Keywords: Pakistan blasphemy case, anti-Hindu attack
It's so comforting to know that there are sensible people, especially among the law enforcers, in that society too. Let's hope that the culprits are brought to the book and get their due.
What an amazing piece of news! I appreciate the officer completely for
his fair and just stance.
It signifies that officer's sense of justice and impartiality. What is important in advancing the cause of Rule-of-Law is fairness of the law enforcement officer and the procedure that he adopts. When those two aspects are taken care of very rarely people will be aggrieved of even an adverse end result. The officer who initiated the action in the episode reported deserves all the praise and I am sure many of his tribe will be quick to emulate his example and contribute eventually to communal harmony central to a great civilization.
A blasphemy law is against the grain of freedom of expression, whether
applied in relation to hindu or muslim religion. Hindu religion itself
gives ample space to criticize even god. They should have been booked
for vandalism.
People becoming more violent everyday. This has to be stopped.
Will the law be permitted to work? Or will it fizzle out as it does in India when the law is contrary to the will of the powerful?
It is ironic that the Hindu temple in Pakistan was desecrated by people who were rioting against the anti-Islam film. Those who kill/hurt innocent people in the name of religion or desecrate the places of worship of people who follow other religions are themselves indulging in blasphemy. It is good that the authorities in Pakistan have decided to register a blasphemy case against those people.
Humanity is still alive in Pakistan. A courageous police officer taking on the fanatics and the Government on a matter of law.
Good to hear this one. Pakistan should show continuous concern over
other religions as Pakistan wasn't home for a single religion. It's
good move from that officer
Please Email the Editor