In a disturbing incident, a church in Pakistan's Punjab province was vandalised and its holy scriptures desecrated, leading to the arrest of a primary suspect. The attack has sparked outrage and calls for stronger protection of minority places of worship.
Details of the Vandalism in Kot Radha Kishan
The Feroz Din Memorial Church, located in Kot Radha Kishan, Kasur district, was targeted in the early hours of Monday. The site is approximately 50 kilometres from Lahore. According to the police report, unidentified individuals broke into the premises, causing significant damage.
Tariq Masih, the church incharge, discovered the devastation when he arrived to open the building at 4 am on Monday. He found the main gate's lock broken, the interior ransacked, and the Bible torn apart. Masih immediately informed the local police, who registered a First Information Report (FIR).
Arrest and Motive Behind the Attack
Police officials swiftly acted on the complaint and arrested a key suspect identified as Allah Rakha. During interrogation, Rakha confessed to the crime. Police officer Mohammad Essa provided context, stating that the suspect had a prior quarrel with some members of the local Christian community.
"To vent his anger, he entered the church and ransacked it. Some Christian religious symbols and church property were damaged and the holy book of Christians was also desecrated," Essa explained. The police have booked Allah Rakha and other unnamed suspects under stringent sections of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).
The charges include Section 295, which deals with offences related to religion, and Section 295-A, pertaining to deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings.
Reactions and Official Statements
The incident has drawn sharp condemnation from Christian leaders and government officials alike. Dr. Emanuel Adil Ghauri, Chairman of the Pakistan Christian Awareness Movement, expressed deep concern over the vandalism and desecration. He urged the Punjab government to go beyond just filing a case and employ modern technology to apprehend all unknown suspects swiftly. Ghauri emphasised the need for strict action against elements threatening the country's peace.
On the government's side, Punjab Law Minister Rana Iqbal Khan commended the police for the prompt arrest. He assured that the accused would face the strictest punishment under the law. "Places of worship of minorities are fully secure, and the government is strictly implementing a zero-tolerance policy," the minister stated. He also noted that such incidents in the past have caused serious damage to Pakistan's social fabric and international reputation.
The attack underscores the ongoing tensions and the precarious situation for religious minorities in the region, despite official assurances of protection and security.
