Newyork -Powerful protest in support of victims of religious bigotry,hate and intolerance in Pakistan

A powerful protest demonstration was successfully organized on August 14th by Indian American Intellectuals Forum (IAIF) in cooperation with Vishwa Hindu Parishad of America, Hindu Human Rights Watch, Justice for Hindus, India Heritage Foundation, Lansing, Michigan; Human Rights Coalition against Radical Islam, Probasi of Brooklyn and Hindu Mahasabha of America (HMSA) in support of the victims of religious bigotry, hate, intolerance and savagery, near Pakistan Consulate in New York.

The protesters carried banners and play cards saying: “Pakistan is a Living Hell for Hindus, Sikhs and Christians; “Save Hindus, Sikhs and Christians from Islamic Terror”; “Every Month 20 to 25 Hindu Girls are abducted, converted to Islam and forcibly married to Muslim Men”; In 1947 Hindu-Sikh Population in Pakistan was about 25%, now it is less than 2%; “Pakistan is an Apartheid State”; “Pakistan is Epicenter of Islamic Terrorism”; “Close Down 42 Terrorist Training Camps and “Stop Campaign of Vilification, Slander and Use of Blasphemy Laws against Hindus and Christians”.

The Memorandum expressing outrage, shock and indignation at the horrific treatment meted out to Hindus, Sikhs and Christians was submitted to the Consul General of Pakistan. The Memorandum, inter alia, stated that the blasphemy laws are used to intimidate, harass and give life imprisonment based on false accusations.

Campaign of vilification and slander continues in connivance with Pakistan government against Hindus, Sikhs and Christians in order to denigrate and demonize their religion.

Radicalization of Pakistani society by Jihadists supported by ISI and other
intelligence agencies goes on unchallenged by the government.

Twelve million rupees ($140,000) jizya – the medieval tax – was levied on Sikhs last year in the North West Frontier Province of Pakistan.

Reminding the Consul General that “your forefathers were Hindu before converting to Islam by Arabs”, the Memorandum further stated that “you should understand that the hate, violence, and terror are the hallmark of uncivilized brutes. They are part and parcel of the Arabic barbarism. Perhaps you may be aware of the stark reality that even Mr. Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the Father of Pakistan was the grandson of Punjabhai Valjibhai Thakkar, a Hindu. Hence, religious fanaticism of the 7th century is not compatible with the spirit of 21st century.

Addressing the audience, Narain Kataria, organizer of the protest said that Hindus have been terrorized in Pakistan to such an extent that in April-May this year, about 500 Hindus who crossed into India under the pretense of visiting a religious festival, refused to go back to Pakistan and begged government of India to give them political asylum.

Quoting from the last week US Commission report on International Religious Freedom Kataria said that that it has tracked 203 publicly-reported incidents of sectarian violence resulting in more than 1,800 casualties, including over 700 deaths.

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