Churches burnt and homes destroyed in Jaranwala, Pakistan over blasphemy allegations
Jaranwala’s Christian colony woke up to a nightmare as a staggering mob of around 7,000 descended upon their homes and churches over incendiary blasphemy allegations. As buildings were ransacked and churches set ablaze, fear and panic consumed the streets of this Faisalabad district.
From Mosque Announcements to Mass Panic
As mosque loudspeakers amplified the controversial claims, accusing two local Christians of a grievous act, enraged masses converged near the Christian colony at Cinema Chowk. Local police, vastly outnumbered, tried in vain to defuse the explosive situation. Shaky videos, now viral, depict police attempting to calm the fury, pledging action against the alleged perpetrators, Rocky and Raja. But the crowd’s fervor escalated, fueled further by inflammatory mosque announcements urging Muslims to “take action.”
Christian Families Flee Amidst Destruction
The resulting chaos saw at least five churches, including the venerable Salvation Army Church, reduced to ashes. Streets became pyres as furniture from Christian homes was mercilessly burned. Disturbing reports indicate Bibles desecrated, with potential damage assessments still underway.
Condemnations and Calls for Justice Echo
The Christian community, alongside various human rights organizations and political figureheads, loudly condemned the events. Recollections of the ex-prime minister’s remarks shed light on his disturbed reaction, emphasizing the sanctity of religious places and urging government intervention. Meanwhile, Azad Marshall, the president of Bishop Church of Pakistan, expressed his deep anguish, demanding justice and highlighting the torment faced by Christians in the wake of this incident.
The civil society organization, Centre for Social Justice, highlighted an alarming increase in blasphemy law abuses this year. With an appeal for swift governmental intervention, there’s a growing demand to protect religious minorities and uphold their safety.
Authorities Step In
Punjab’s top cop, IGP Dr. Usman Anwar, along with Punjab Chief Secretary, arrived in Jaranwala to assess and control the situation. Their efforts seemed to regain some semblance of control, with a massive deployment of around 6,500 police officers. But with hardline activists of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan reportedly part of the mob, challenges remain.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar addressed the nation, assuring that culprits would face the brunt of the law, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protect all its citizens equally.