Women’s Action Forum

PRESS STATEMENT

WAF Strongly Condemns Mob Violence Against Christian Worship Places & Homes in Jaranwala

17th August 2023: Women’s Action Forum (WAF) strongly condemns the mob violence that led to the desecration of the Holy Bible and sacred objects, and burning of churches and homes of Christian citizens in Jaranwala, Faisalabad on 16 August 2023. WAF expresses its unwavering and unequivocal support to Christian citizens that were subjected to the reprehensible attacks that have diminished us as a society and demonstrated that the State is ineffectual in providing even basic security to its citizens, especially non-Muslim religious minorities.

WAF calls for an urgent and fair inquiry into the incident to ascertain the facts that led to the violence and those responsible for it. WAF demands immediate identification, arrest and punishment of all perpetrators and instigators. WAF also demands urgent and comprehensive government support for rebuilding all churches and homes destroyed or damaged by the senseless violence, and compensation for all possessions burnt or looted, e.g. household items and vehicles. WAF demands justice and reparations for all affectees of Jaranwala.

The Jaranwala incident has yet again demonstrated the dismal failure of the State to protect its citizens. WAF demands a prompt, independent and fair inquiry to ascertain government functionaries who failed to carry out their duties to ensure security of the lives, homes, properties and worship places of its citizens and to ensure those found guilty of neglect are punished as per law. The inquiry must be public and its report made publicly available. Moreover, WAF demands action against radical groups, legitimized and politicized with State support, that are responsible for mobilizing violent mobs.

The brutal and shameful attacks in Jaranwala, incited on what appear to be false allegations of blasphemy - since the alleged author is an illiterate sanitary worker - are frighteningly not uncommon. Whipping up vigilante mob frenzy and unleashing unimaginable brutality is becoming increasingly easy — all it takes is an allegation and some announcements, often from mosques. The barbarity with which Mashal Khan was lynched in Mardan in 2017 and Priyantha Diyawadanage in Sialkot in 2022 on false allegations of blasphemy are chilling confirmations of the abysmal descent of our society. Equally horrifying are the frequent incidents of vicious intolerance against religious minorities in which worship places and homes have been destroyed, for example, Shanti Nagar in 1997, Sangla Hill in 2005, Gojra in 2009, Kot Radha Kishan-Kasur in 2014 and Joseph Colony in 2013. The situation has become further inflammed by online hate speech and prevalence of unchecked disinformation which has made it even easier to propagate hatred against minorities. WAF calls on all citizens and civil society organizations to counter these narratives of hate and intolerance that are tearing apart our social fabric and turning us into a barbaric mob.

Pending reopening and review of the 8th Constitutional Amendment (1985), WAF demands an urgent review of the process and procedures dealing with all allegations of blasphemy - founded or unfounded. WAF reiterates the demand for urgent implementation of the landmark SCP judgement (2014), rendered by then-CJP, Hon. J. Tassaduq Hussain Jillani. Also for implementation of recommendations of the Gojra Judicial Inquiry Report, Government of Punjab (2009). If these demands are not met, Jaranwala will not be the last barbaric atrocity against our minorities.