The plight of religious minorities in Pakistan continues to escalate as reports of abduction and forced conversion of Hindu girls surface with alarming frequency. In a recent incident, a 14-year-old Hindu girl named Sohna Sharma was allegedly abducted and forcibly converted to another religion. This distressing case sheds light on the ongoing struggles faced by Hindu minorities living in Pakistan.
Rising Cases of Forced Conversions in Pakistan:
The situation for Hindu minorities in Pakistan is growing increasingly dire, with a rise in cases involving the forced conversion of minor Hindu girls. Sohna Sharma’s abduction and subsequent forced marriage to a Muslim boy highlight the grave violation of human rights occurring within the country. Shockingly, a marriage certificate, known as Nikahnama, was prepared, falsely legitimizing the forced union.
This is not a 14 yrs Hindu daughter being taken away from parents in Pakistan after forced conversion to Islam & Nikah. This is future of every Hindu kid in India in a few decades
We failed u, daughter. Hindu Samaj & secular India couldn’t protect you😭😭pic.twitter.com/yvTcEhmfxe
— Pakistan Untold (@pakistan_untold) June 9, 2023
This is heartbreaking 💔Can’t imagine what the girl and her parents must be going through!!
Human Rights Without Frontiers Report:
International organizations, such as Human Rights Without Frontiers, are actively monitoring incidents worldwide where individuals are imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of religion or belief. Their reports confirm the worsening situation in Pakistan, where forced marriages and conversions are rampant, exacerbating the country’s existing political and economic challenges.
Disturbing Statistics of Forced Conversion:
According to data compiled by the Centre for Social Justice, a local partner of Christian Solidarity Worldwide, a total of 202 incidents of forced conversions were recorded and documented between 2021 and 2022. Most of these cases occurred in the Sindh and Punjab provinces. Out of these incidents, 120 involved Hindu women and girls, 80 concerned Christians, and 2 involved Sikhs. The data reveals that Hindu girls from “low” caste communities face the highest risk. Shockingly, the majority of the victims were under the age of 18, including many girls under the age of 14.
International Concern:
The gravity of the situation prompted the intervention of six UN Special Rapporteurs, including the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief and the Working Group on the discrimination against women and girls. In a joint statement, they expressed deep concern over the forced conversions in Pakistan. The statement highlighted how the perpetrators often coerce the abducted girls into appearing before courts, signing official documents, and giving false testimonies under threats of violence against them or their families.
Silent Witnesses:
Despite the alarming rise in cases of abduction and forced conversions, the mainstream media and political parties in India have largely remained silent on the issue. This lack of attention to the brazen and brutal genocide of Hindus in Pakistan is deeply distressing, constituting a cruel chapter in human history.
The abduction and forced conversion of Hindu girls in Pakistan is a grave violation of their fundamental rights. The case of Sohna Sharma serves as a distressing example of the challenges faced by religious minorities in the country. It is imperative for international bodies, human rights organizations, and concerned individuals to raise their voices against these atrocities and work towards safeguarding the rights and well-being of vulnerable communities.
