Kathmandu, Jan 24 (NationPress) The Sindh province of Pakistan, which accommodates a significant portion of the nation's Hindu minority, has experienced persistent episodes of communal violence instigated by allegations of blasphemy. These violent incidents typically follow a predictable sequence: an accusation is made, crowds are rallied by religious leaders, communal tensions flare, and the Hindu community is forcibly displaced, as highlighted in a recent report on Saturday.

“The recent murder of a Hindu farmer in Sindh has once again revealed the profound vulnerability faced by religious minorities in Pakistan. The deceased, a young tenant farmer from the Kolhi community, was gunned down in broad daylight after a dispute with a powerful local landlord regarding land usage. This incident ignited protests throughout Sindh, with Hindu communities blocking roads and calling for justice,” detailed a report from the Nepalese media outlet Khabarhub.

“This situation isn't merely about a single homicide; it epitomizes a broader pattern of impunity, feudal dominance, and religious marginalization that has characterized the experiences of Hindus in Pakistan for decades. For many minority groups, especially Hindus, Pakistan has increasingly morphed into a perilous environment plagued by false charges, coerced conversions, abductions, economic pressure, and targeted violence,” the report continued.

According to the report, similar acts of violence have also been reported in Pakistan's Punjab province, which has a considerably smaller Hindu demographic. Citing research from the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice, it documented that at least 421 minority women and girls were victims of forced conversions between 2021 and 2024, with 71% being underage and primarily from Hindu and Christian backgrounds.

The report underscored that violence against Hindus is not confined to specific regions but is embedded in a broader national culture of intolerance that facilitates mob justice.

“Beyond physical assaults, systemic oppression has played a destructive role in diminishing Hindu civic space. Year after year, reports reveal underage Hindu girls being abducted, coerced into converting to Islam, and forced into marriage with Muslim men. Families seeking legal redress face death threats, prolonged hearings, and judicial outcomes that overwhelmingly favor the alleged converters,” the report emphasized.

“Despite ongoing public discussions and legislative efforts, no effective national law has been established to criminalize forced conversions, nor does any significant judicial precedent exist to support Hindu families. This legal void has empowered offenders and fostered a climate of fear among Hindu parents,” it noted.

The report further stated, “With minimal state backing and increasing tolerance towards radical Islamist groups, the question for Pakistan’s Hindu minority has shifted from one of equality to one of survival in a system that has repeatedly failed to safeguard them.”