LEGAL RAPE
Pakistan is a country of 220 million people. According to the 2017 Census, Muslims make up 96.2% of Pakistan’s population, Hindus 1.6%, 1.59%, Scheduled Castes 0.25%, Ahmadis 0.22%, and other minorities 0.07%. Pakistan has a mixed cultural system. The system of Pakistan is hard to understand. As a Pakistan’s citizen, there are times when you are allowed to be violent without any offense. On the other hand, one can be made a criminal without any proof. It is a country with numerous issues. But, the worst issue is religious discrimination. Minorities are mostly neglected in many cases. Every day, a new incident is our routine. Pakistani masses remember the issues for a few days. But, after a while, they forget and they wait for another case. After a few days, people will surely forget this case as well. Sometimes, I feel standing and shouting against cruelty is just a formality. Minorities make more than 4 % of Pakistan’s population. According to DAWN, around 1,000 minority girls are abducted, forcefully converted to Islam, and are forced into marriage every year.
On October 13, 2020, Arzoo Raja a 13-year-old Christian girl from Karachi was kidnapped forcefully and was married to 44-year-old man Azhar Ali. Arzoo Raja embraced Islam and married a man thrice of her age in just a day. Just Wow! Sindh High Court supported Azhar Ali's stance and considered this shameful act legal. This is a straight legal rape. The Constitution says that marrying a minor even with her consent is illegal. On the other hand, a 13-year-old girl Arzoo was forced to sign the Affidavit stating it was her own will. At this age, children don’t even have a good understanding of their own religion. How are they able to make decisions on changing their religion? After 14 days. Arzoo’s mother was allowed to see her only for 2 minutes. In the courtroom, there were dozens of police-men and Azhar Ali’s relatives. According to the mother, Arzoo was nose pierced and was in Naqab (Veil). She uttered: “ I have recited Kalma.” A minor girl who is kidnapped and raped is going through a mental harassment.
For a moment, we accept that it was her will. Which religion teaches to leave parents after marriage? Is marriage a name to boycott family members? No one was there to see the tears of the mother. This system has failed. Islam teaches that Paradise is under the feet of mothers. Arzoo’s mother was weeping badly! Judiciary is answerable to this! But, who cares about these types of incidents? This is our daily routine. No one remembers Mehek Kumari, Mehek Keshwani, Shalt Javed, Lakshmi Kaur, Pooja Sotahar Kumari, Maira Shahbaz, Payal Kumari, Raveen and Reena, Sadaf, Reshma, Monica Lohana, Anarkali Kaur… the daughters of Pakistan abducted, forcefully converted, and married. PM Imran Khan presents a good image of Islam to the world. Pakistan should concentrate on its internal issues first. Islamophobia exists just because of these beasts. We Christian community of Pakistan condemn France's acts regarding the respect of the Prophet Muhammed (SAW). Pakistan always condemns Indian minorities' human rights violations. Writing letters to France won’t make a difference. The country’s strength is seen by looking at its minorities. Pakistan should give dual rights to its citizens. Religion is a citizen’s personal matter as of the Quaid’s vision. The state has nothing to do with it.
If one wants to change his religion, it is his will. But, forced conversion is something every religion condemns. Mr. Bilawal Bhutto Zardari once said that he one day wants to see a Christian Prime Minister. To see this, the safeguarding of minorities is the need of the hour. Hindu Marriage Act and Child Protection Acts clearly indicates that this is totally a legal rape of an innocent girl. A rape that is supported by the state. Mr. Bilawal has tweeted that the Government of Sindh will review the case of Arzoo Raja. We hope for justice!
This article is written with a broken heart!