Karachi’s dubious distinction–the epicentre of bigotry in Pakistan after a spate of attacks on Hindu temples

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In yet another incident of attack on minorities in Pakistan, the idols of deities at a Hindu temple in the port city of Karachi in Pakistan  have been vandalised. According to police, the idols of deities at Shri Mari Maata Mandir in Karachi’s Korangi area were attacked on Wednesday. The temple is located in “J” area within the limits of Korangi police station of Karachi.</p>
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Sharing the video clip of the temple, Pakistani daily Express tribune says that the incident has caused fear among the Hindu community living in the country.</p>
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The sanctity of a Hindu temple was disrespected after unidentified ruffians vandalised the premises. The Shri Mari Maata Mandir in Korangi, Karachi was attacked on Wednesday causing fear to spread amongst the Hindu community. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/etribune?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#etribune</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/news?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#news</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/korangi?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#korangi</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mandir?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Mandir</a> <a href="https://t.co/2KBZwU9AtQ">pic.twitter.com/2KBZwU9AtQ</a></p>
— The Express Tribune (@etribune) <a href="https://twitter.com/etribune/status/1534618266966040577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Sanjeev, a resident of the area, told The Express Tribune that six to eight individuals on motorcycles came into the area and attacked the temple. "We don't know who has attacked and why," he said, adding that the police were approached to lodge a case.</p>
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“Five to six unknown suspects entered the temple and escaped after vandalising it,” Korangi police officer Farooq Sanjrani confirmed. He added that the case was being registered against the unknown suspects who attacked the temple.</p>
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“Why are minority worship places being attacked every then and now?</p>
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Two days ago, Baba Mohan Das Temple in Larkana, Sindh was attacked by religious extremists, they vandalized the whole temple, idols were destroyed and looted valuable items,” said an organisation for protecting minority rights in Pakistan  Voice of Pakistan Minority.</p>
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سندھ کے شہر لاڑکانہ میں دو روز قبل بابا موہن داس مندر پر مذہبی انتہا پسندوں نے حملہ کیا اور انہوں نے پورے مندر میں توڑ پھوڑ کی اور قیمتی اشیاء لوٹ لی گئی۔<br />
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اقلیتوں کی عبادت گاہوں پر ہر وقت حملہ کیوں کیا جارہا ہے؟<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ProtectMinoritiesReligiousPlaces?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ProtectMinoritiesReligiousPlaces</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BushraGohar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BushraGohar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/a_siab?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@a_siab</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/KashifMD?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KashifMD</a> <a href="https://t.co/8KGM6QsD7V">pic.twitter.com/8KGM6QsD7V</a></p>
— Voice of Pakistan Minority (Urdu) (@vopm_urdu) <a href="https://twitter.com/vopm_urdu/status/1534416910363901953?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 8, 2022</a></blockquote>
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The attack on the temple in Korangi was the latest in a series of attacks on minorities that has been taking place over the last 18 months at least. According to Afrasiab Khattak, a well-known columnist and former senator, these incidents reflect the deepening religious extremism and intolerance in Pakistan which is aided by the state narrative and policy.</p>
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In December, Narayan Temple was attacked in the old city area of Karachi. The Hindu residents staged a protest in the area and outside the police station, demanding that the government provide security to Hindus residents.</p>
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Temples belonging to the minority Hindu population in Pakistan are often the target of mob violence. In October, a historical temple located at the bank of the Indus River in Kotri was allegedly desecrated by unidentified people.</p>
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In August, dozens of people reportedly vandalised a Hindu temple in the town of Bhong and blocked the Sukkur-Multan Motorway after an eight-year-old Hindu boy, who allegedly urinated in a local seminary, was granted bail by a local court.</p>
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/world-news/pakistan-has-failed-miserably-to-protects-hindus-their-temples-65469.html">Pakistan has failed miserably to protect Hindus, their temples</a></strong></p>
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Following the court's decision, a mob of young men gathered and vandalised the Shree Ganesh Hindu temple in the town, according to the paper.</p>
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Over the last 18 months or so, minorities in Pakistan including Hindus, Christians, Ahmadis, Hazaras and Shias have been subject to attacks. At the same time, more cases of forced conversions have been reported and non-Muslims and non-Sunni Muslims do not feel safe.</p>
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<strong>Also Read: <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/opinion-news/pakistan-demolishes-hanuman-temple-hindu-homes-in-lyari-karachi-10327.html">Pakistan demolishes Hanuman temple, Hindu homes in Lyari, Karachi</a></strong></p>