KARACHI - Scores of Hindu rights organisations and human rights activists held a protest against the increasing incidents of desecration of Hindu temples in Sindh.
Hindu rights organisations and civil society activists participated in the demonstration staged outside the Press Club here on Sunday. They demanded the government to provide protection to the minorities especially Hindus, asking the rulers to curb extremist elements.
Addressing on the occasion, leaders of All Hindu Rights Organisation, Forum for Secular Pakistan and other human rights organisations condemned the incidents of desecration of temples and atrocities against the non-Muslim communities. They demanded the government to take strict action against the perpetrators. They demanded registration of cases against the people who burnt temples, terming the series of incidents of setting religious seminaries on fire a conspiracy to force Hindus to leave the Sindh. They said that at least 16 incidents of burning and desecration of Hindu temples took place in Sindh during last six months, which is condemnable.
They said that the population of Hindus was recorded at 6 million in last census held in 1998, but according to the minority affairs ministry, the current population of Hindus is about at 3.5 million, showing that at least 2.5 million Hindus have migrated from the country due to increasing atrocities and forced conversion of Hindu girls to Islam.
Quoting various reports, the Hindu leaders said that at least 150,000 people have applied for Indian citizenship. They said Hindu girls are kidnapped and forcibly converted to Islam. They said according to law, a girl below the age of 18, cannot be converted to other religion. “How the Supreme Court of Pakistan allowed forced conversion of Rinkle Kumari, who was only 14 years,” they asked.
They appealed all Hindus not to migrate to India in fear. They warned the government to take steps to ensure their protection; otherwise they will be left with no other option to take a collective decision of migrating from Sindh.