Four Hindu Doctors Gunned Down in Pakistan

CHAKRA) The Hindu American Foundation (HAF) condemned the brutal attack on four Hindus earlier this week in a small town in Sindh province, Pakistan. The attack resulted in the deaths of three doctors: Drs. Ajit Kumar, Naresh Kumar, and Ashok Kumar, while a fourth, Dr. Satia Pal, received serious injuries and is currently in intensive care in a Karachi hospital. The incident has caused widespread fear and apprehension amongst Hindus in Sindh, who frequently complain of inadequate protection from the police.

Such violent attacks on the Hindu community are fairly common in Pakistan according to the Foundation, which publishes an annual human rights report that documents the plight of Hindu minorities worldwide.

“This horrific act is yet another example of the religious intolerance that pervades Pakistani society,” said Samir Kalra, Esq., HAF Director and Senior Fellow for Human Rights. “Hindus and other minorities are routinely subjected to violence and persecution, while the government and police sit idly by and do nothing.”

The victims were reportedly gunned down by members of the Muslim Bhayo community after an alleged dispute involving a Muslim “dancing girl.” Members of the Hindu community, however, maintain that they had been receiving threats for the past three months, since they stopped paying “protection money” to the Muslim Bhayos. Hindus and other non-Muslims are often forced to pay “protection money” to Muslim gangs in order to safeguard their community from violence.

Following funerals for the victims, Hindus throughout Sindh, including in the cities of Shikarpur, Larkana, Umarkot, Tharparkar, and Nawabshah, initiated an indefinite strike and closed their businesses to protest the murders and demand justice. Police authorities have reportedly made arrests in connection with the case, but it is unclear as to whether any of the arrested persons will be charged or prosecuted.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the victims,” said Arvind Chandrakantan, HAF Executive Council Member. “We urge the government to take all necessary steps to bring the perpetrators to justice and provide protection to the Hindu community.”