Pakistan’s Sindh province, where the majority of the country’s Hindu minority resides, has witnessed repeated outbreaks of communal violence triggered by blasphemy accusations. These incidents follow a familiar pattern, starting with an accusation, then the mobilization of crowds by religious leaders, leading to communal unrest and the displacement of affected Hindu communities. A recent incident involved the killing of a Hindu farmer in Sindh, highlighting the vulnerability of religious minorities in Pakistan.
The victim, a young tenant farmer from the Kolhi community, was fatally shot in broad daylight following a dispute with a local landlord over land use. This incident led to protests across Sindh, with Hindu communities blocking highways and demanding justice. The episode is seen as emblematic of a broader issue of impunity, feudal power, and religious marginalization faced by Hindus in Pakistan for decades.
The report also mentions similar instances of violence in Pakistan’s Punjab province, despite its smaller Hindu population. A study by the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice revealed that between 2021 and 2024, at least 421 minority women and girls, with 71% of them underage, were victims of forced conversions, predominantly from Hindu and Christian backgrounds. These events underscore a national culture of intolerance that perpetuates mob-driven justice and communal violence against Hindus.
The systemic persecution of Hindus in Pakistan extends beyond physical violence to include shrinking civic space. Reports consistently highlight cases of underage Hindu girls being abducted, coerced into converting to Islam, and married to Muslim men. Families seeking legal recourse often face threats, delays in hearings, and court decisions favoring the alleged converters. Despite public discourse and legislative efforts, Pakistan lacks a comprehensive law criminalizing forced conversions, leaving Hindu families vulnerable and fearful.
The absence of effective legal protections has emboldened perpetrators and instilled fear among Hindu parents. With inadequate state support and a rise in radical Islamist groups, survival, rather than equality, has become the primary concern for Pakistan’s Hindu minority. The report underscores the urgent need for measures to safeguard the rights and security of religious minorities in the country.
