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Letter to The New York Times article "Religion Fueled Mobs on the Rise again in Pakistan"
This is a letter written to The New York Times regarding article on "Religion Fueled Mobs on the Rise again in Pakistan" published on March 20, 2022
Dear Editor,
I applaud the NY Times and could not agree more that religion fueled mobs in Pakistan have led to a genocide and forced conversions of Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians over the last 75 years1-8. The minority populations in Pakistan (Hindus, Sikhs, and Christians) have been reduced from 10% in 1947 to 3%1 in 2021, while in India, the minority Muslim population grew from 10% in 1947 to 15% in 2021).9
Of note, two countries—Pakistan and Bangladesh -- account for 75% of the violent incidents of mob activity,1 mob violence, and/or threats of violence, with or without state blasphemy or other law enforcement. Most acts of violence (50%) occurred in Pakistan and Bangladesh (25%),1 and at least half of these barbaric acts of violence, including torture or cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment or punishment, against accused blasphemers were committed by the State Governments.1
Geeta Sikand
Citations
1. United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) 2022 Report “Violating rights: Enforcing the World’s Blasphemy Laws.”
https://www.uscirf.gov/sites/default/files/2020%20Blasphemy%20Enforcement%20Report%20_final_0.pdf
2. https://www.hinduamerican.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/HAF-2020-Human-Rights-Report-Pakistan.pdf
3. Forced conversions of Hindu girls in Pakistan make a mockery of its constitution (theconversation.com)
4. Abducted, shackled and forced to marry at 12 - BBC News
5. Sikhs protest outside Pakistan Embassy over ‘forced conversion of Sikh girls’ - YouTube
6. The Greater Impact of Forced Conversion of Minorities in Pakistan – BSc@GIPE (bscgipe.in)
7. https://www.hinduamerican.org/press/save-pakistan-stolen-girls-launch-event
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPEkUAOrLeI/
9. Pew Research Center 2021 report “Religion in India: Tolerance and Segregation”
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