Jaranwala, 16 Aug, 2023 (GNP): A wave of violence has swept through Punjab province’s Jaranwala town as armed mobs attacked Christian churches and homes, spurred by allegations of blasphemy against two Christian residents. Videos circulating on social media depict crowds wielding batons and sticks, setting fire to the Salvation Army Church and the Saint Paul Catholic Church. In addition, private homes were torched, and windows were broken during the rampage.
Words fail me as I write this. We, Bishops, Priests and lay people are deeply pained and distressed at the Jaranwala incident in the Faisalabad District in Pakistan. A church building is being burnt as I type this message. Bibles have been desecrated and Christians have been… pic.twitter.com/xruE83NPXL
— Bishop Azad Marshall (@BishopAzadM) August 16, 2023
As per sources, authorities led by Punjab provincial police inspector Mohammed Naved, are actively working to control the situation and ensure the safety of residents. Naved stated, “We are undertaking all legal measures as required in the situation.”
In response to the violence, police have filed reports against two local Christian residents under Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy laws. Paramilitary Rangers have also been deployed to address the escalating religious conflict and maintain law and order.
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The incident unfolded when torn pages of the Quran were discovered near a Christian colony, bearing alleged blasphemous content. A local religious leader urged Muslims to protest and demand the arrest of those responsible, leading to the eruption of violence.
Shahid Mehmood, a local resident, witnessed the events unfold and recounted, “I reached my shop around 10 am, and there were already hundreds of people gathered outside the church. Given the situation, I decided to close 10 minutes after opening.” Mehmood described how the Christian colony was targeted by the violence, resulting in damage to smaller churches and private homes.
Akmal Bhatti, chairman of Minorities Alliance Pakistan, condemned the violence and criticized the mob for using blasphemy laws to justify their actions. Bhatti highlighted the plight of the 150 families residing in the Christian colony, many of whom fled to nearby villages or the city of Faisalabad due to escalating tensions.
Also Read: Thousands protest after many copies of Holy Quran burned in Bangladesh
Blasphemy accusations are known to spark widespread violence in Pakistan, with accusations often leading to dire consequences. Earlier this month, a teacher was killed in Turbat after being accused of blasphemy during a lecture. In a similar incident in February, a mob lynched a suspect accused of desecrating Quranic pages.
Rights groups have consistently raised concerns about Pakistan’s blasphemy laws being misused for personal motives. The Centre for Social Justice, an independent advocacy group, has compiled data revealing that over 2,000 people have faced blasphemy accusations since 1987, resulting in at least 88 deaths related to these allegations.