India concerned with harassment of Hindus in Pakistan; raises the matter with Islamabad
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The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had earlier raised the matter and called the demolition of Hindu homes as illegal and inhumane.
India has expressed its concern over harassment of Hindus in Pakistan and raised the matter with the country. In a strongly-worded demarche sent to Pakistani high commission in Delhi, India raised the "systematic and targeted demolition" of houses belonging to minority Hindu community in Chak 52/DB, Yazman of Bahawalpur district in Punjab in Pakistan.
New Delhi "strongly condemned" the incident involving the "state authorities" targetting the minority Hindu community despite the occupants producing valid documents of ownership and legal relief granted against demolition.
On May 20, 25 houses were levelled and another 10 partly demolished, leaving their occupants – including young children – without any access to shelter. One Hindu lady was dragged out of the house by her hair so that demolition can happen.
While expressing concerns, India asked Pakistani High Commission to inform relevant authorities in Pakistan Government for urgent remedial action. Sources told WION that New Delhi called for the Pakistani government to "discharge of its responsibilities will look after the safety security will-being and protection of rights and freedom of its citizens belonging to minority communities."
The land was legally allotted by Board of Revenue in 2018 to the Hindu community but one Muhammad Boota keen to increase his landholding used his political connections to demolish the Hindu houses.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had earlier raised the matter and called the demolition of Hindu homes as illegal and inhumane. The HRCP called on Pakistan's Punjab government to compensate all those families affected by the demolition.
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