HVK Archives: Bishop buried amidst clashes and burning of shops
Bishop buried amidst clashes and burning of shops - Maharashtra Herald, Pune
PTI
()
May 11, 1998
Title: Bishop buried amidst clashes and burning of shops
Author: PTI
Publication: Maharashtra Herald, Pune
Date: May 11, 1998
Several houses and shops belonging to Christians were burnt down
by extremist Muslims as more than 20,000 Christians took part in
the funeral of Bishop John Joseph and vowed to fight for the
abolition of controversial blasphemy law in Pakistani city of
Faisalabad.
The members of the Muslim extremist group, Sipah-e-Sehaba
Pakistan (SSP) who wore holding protest meeting against any move
to repeal the blasphemy law,. attacked shops and houses of
Christians as the Christians were busy with the funeral this
morning, a member of the Faisalabad Diocese told PTI over phone.
He said that at least 25 to 30 houses and two to three shops of
poor Christians, were burnt down before police could take action
to prevent further damage. More than 20,000 Christians took part
in the funeral of Bishop Joseph and vowed that the supreme
sacrifice of the bishop would not go waste and they will continue
to fight for the repeal of the blasphemy law.
Bishop Joseph, a prominent human rights activists, shot himself
dead inside the premises of Sahiwal sessions court on Wednesday
after the 25 year old Christian youth, Ayub Masih, was sentenced
to death under blasphemy law.
The Christians allege that Ayub Masih was sentenced under
concocted charge because of a land dispute with a local Muslim
landlord.
The member of the Faisalabad Diocese further said that tension
has been gripping the city since the suicide of Bishop Joseph and
confirmed the arrest of another Christian youth, Ranjha Masih,
who has also been charged under blasphemy law.
He was arrested apparently for throwing stone on a sign board on
which scriputures from Holy Quran were written.
Christian community, which is the largest minority in Pakistan,
have already decided to intensify their agitation against the
blasphemy law and will be observing May 15 as the black day all
over the country.
Police also arrested four Christian youths, who ware going from
Lahore to Faisalabad and have threatened to self-immolate
themselves during the funeral of Bishop Joseph.
In the meantime following media reports that United States has
also asked Pakistani government to repeal the controversial
blasphemy law, Muslim scholars have threatened the Nawaz Sharif
government of dire consequences if any attempt was made to repeal
of change the blasphemy law.
Media reports said that several Muslim scholars have warned the
government against any such move as they also cautioned the
United States not to interfere in Pakistan's internal affairs.
Meanwhile, Pakistani foreign office has also described the US
reaction on the death sentence of Ayub Masih as unwarranted and
not based on facts.
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