Lahore: Amidst the growing frequency of the fabricated cases of blasphemy allegations and consistent mob violence against religious minorities, human rights activist and Chairman Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan, Mr. Samson Salamat along with leadership of the religious minorities has called for a Hunger Strike, urging the saner voices to crowd Charring Cross outside the Punjab Assembly in Lahore on August 10th & 11th, 2024.  

In his statement, Mr. Samson Salamat has said that “the main purpose of the Hunger Strike is to draw the attention of the authorities towards the consistent Misuse of Blasphemy Laws that has adversely affected the lives of thousands, particularly of those belonging to the religious minorities and denial of justice”.

Mr. Samson Salamat expressed serious concerns over the deteriorated situation of the rights of religious minorities saying that “the religious minorities are feeling insecure and unsafe, due to the allegations of blasphemy levelled against innocent people to settle personal vendetta, for political and personal gains, which often result in mob violence and extrajudicial killings. He regretted that in our country even an allegation serves as an evidence in blasphemy cases and the right to fair trial and justice is denied”.

Mr. Samson Salamat further said that at the Hunger Strike “we will demand an impartial inquiry into all attacks on religious minorities, starting from the Shanti Nagar incident of 1997 to the lynching of Nazir Masih in Sargodha in May 2024 because all the cases need to be investigated thoroughly to ascertain whether the accusations levelled were genuine or mere malicious attempts to target individuals and religious minorities. Furthermore we shall urge the government to take strict action against the extremist outfits using blasphemy laws to instigate hatred and violence.

He added that “We want to raise awareness about the rampant abuse of blasphemy laws as well as violence against religious minorities. What we want to highlight is the urgent need for comprehensive and well-thought effective policy and strategy to stop the frequency of false allegations, the mob-violence and prevalence of religious extremism in our society. We also urgently need minorities’ protection policies and legislation to ensure their safety, the elimination of religious discrimination and their social uplift”. 

About Rwadari Tehreek Pakistan, Mr. Samson Salamat said that our social movement was launched in 2015 to counter violent extremism and intolerance in the society and we have been promoting respect for diversity and safeguarding religious freedoms from day one, adding that our movement’s ultimate goal is to promote inclusiveness and tolerance in the society, where everyone could live without fear of persecution.