Police official suspended for harassing Hindus for “violating” Ramzan Ordinance in Pakistan’s Sindh

It is claimed that the SHO publicly compelled the Hindu restaurant proprietor to take an oath on his sacred guide. The police officer arrested greater than a dozen individuals after bodily assaulting them.

Islamabad,UPDATED: Mar 25, 2023 23:14 IST

Authorities in Pakistan suspended a police officer for harassing, and arresting Hindus for allegedly “violating” Ramadan Ordinance (Representative Image)

By Press Trust of India: Authorities in Pakistan’s southern province of Sindh on Saturday suspended a police officer for harassing, manhandling, and arresting Hindus for allegedly “violating” a legislation forbidding consuming or consuming in public through the holy month of Ramzan, based on a media report.

The motion was taken when a video went viral exhibiting Station House Officer (SHO) Kabil Bhayo of the Khanpur police station within the Ghotki district going round with a stick in hand and hitting some customers, together with Hindu males who have been reportedly making ready biryani for supply to prospects, reported The Express Tribune newspaper.

“I swear that I belong to the Hindu community, and he is taking away food. We do not run the dining service indoors during Ramzan,” a man who was arrested by the police said.

However, the SHO publicly forced the Hindu restaurant owner to take an oath on his sacred book. The police officer arrested more than a dozen people after physically assaulting them.

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After the video went viral, the Sindh Human Rights Commission (SHRC) took notice and wrote to the deputy inspector general (DIG) Sukkur and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ghotki to take action against the police officer.

“The act is a violation of elementary rights of residents no matter their faith and beliefs and goes in opposition to Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which ensures the liberty to profess and handle non secular establishments,” a letter issued by the SHRC acknowledged.

It added that the SHO’s behaviour was in opposition to the landmark judgment by former chief justice Tassaduq Hussain Jillani on minority rights, issued on June 19, 2014.

SHRC Chairperson Iqbal Detho requested the senior police officers to probe into the matter and take motion in opposition to the SHO.

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The Ramzan Ordinance states that solely people who find themselves obligated to quick beneath the tenets of Islam are barred from consuming, consuming, and smoking in public locations throughout fasting hours within the month of Ramzan, based on The Express Tribune.

Sindh province is dwelling to the most important Hindu inhabitants in Pakistan.

During Ramzan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims the world over quick from daybreak to nightfall and shun worldly pleasures.

Published On:

Mar 25, 2023