South Asia Terrorism Portal
The Weaponisation of Blasphemy Tushar Ranjan Mohanty Research Associate, Institute for Conflict Management
Riots broke out in Ghotki town (Ghotki District) of Sindh on September 15, 2019, after a school principal from the minority Hindu community was booked on charges of alleged blasphemy. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) tweeted a video of protesters breaking the infrastructure of the school and wrote, "Alarming reports of accusations of blasphemy in Ghotki and the outbreak of mob violence". Videos of stick-wielding protesters were also shared on social media in which they were seen vandalising a Hindu temple. The protests erupted after a FIR (first information report) was filed against the Hindu principal of Sindh Public School on the complaint of Abdul Aziz Rajput, a student's father, who claimed that the teacher had committed blasphemy. The principal, identified as Notan Lal, was booked and then arrested on charges of blasphemy on September 16.
On May 27, 2019, a Hindu veterinary doctor, identified as Ramesh Kumar, was arrested in Phulhadiyon area of Mirpurkhas District of Sindh after a local cleric filed a Police complaint accusing him of committing blasphemy. Although the doctor was arrested, radical organisations and their supporters were not pacified and took to setting fire and damaging shops owned by Hindus in the area besides, burning tyres on the roads. The head cleric of the local mosque, Maulvi Ishaq Nohri, filed the complaint with Police alleging that Kumar had torn pages of a holy book and wrapped medicines in them.
On March 20, 2019, one student, identified as Khateeb Hussain, at Bahawalpur's Government Sadiq Egerton College stabbed Associate Professor Khalid Hameed, the head of the English Department of the college, to death over what he vaguely described as the academic's "anti-Islam" remarks. Khalid Hameed was seated inside his office at the college when he was allegedly accosted and attacked with a knife by the student. According to initial information noted by the Police at the scene of the crime, Khateeb Hussain, who was a 5th-semester Bachelor of Arts (BA) student of the English Department, had exchanged hot words with Professor Hameed at around 8:40am [PST] over the arranging of a 'welcome party' at the college. The event, which Hameed was overseeing, was to be held on March 21, 2019, to welcome new students to the college. Hussain was averse to the event being organised because he viewed the mingling of male and female pupils at the function as "un-Islamic". Following an argument, Hussain stabbed the associate professor to death. The student equated the teacher's words with blasphemy, Police said.
Targeting people by accusing them of blasphemy is a persistent phenomenon in the theocratic state of Pakistan. In its annual report released on April 15, 2019, HRCP stated that around 70 people had been lynched since 1990 on accusations of insulting Islam. "In many cases, blasphemy allegations end up in a mob lynching or targeted killing of the accused before they can be tried or heard in a court of law," the report added.
Similarly, a November 1, 2018, media report, quoting the Lahore-based Centre for Social Justice (CSJ), stated that at least 75 people had been killed in Pakistan since 1990, by angry mobs and individuals on the accusation of blasphemy. Out of the 75 people killed until January 31, 2018, 14 murders took place in Lahore, including the murder of retired judge of the Lahore High Court Arif Iqbal Bhatti. Bhatti was killed on October 17, 1997, by Ahmad Sher in Lahore (Lahore District), because he had given a verdict in 1995 to acquit two Christian men of blasphemy charges.
Among the most high-profile killings relating to blasphemy was that of the Governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, came forward in the support of Aasia Bibi, the first woman to be accused of Blasphemy. On January 4, 2011, Salman Taseer, the Governor of the Punjab province, was killed by his own security guard, because Taseer had sought to an amendment of the blasphemy law to remove the mandatory death penalty on conviction. Subsequently, on March 2, 2011, unidentified assailants killed the Federal Minorities Affairs Minister, Shahbaz Bhatti, another outspoken critic of the law.
Aasia Bibi, also known as Asia Noreen, a Christian woman from Ittan Wali village in the Sheikhupura District, was sentenced to death on November 7, 2010, for blasphemy, allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad during a row with neighbouring women in June 2009. Noreen denied that she had committed blasphemy and asserted that she had been accused by her neighbours to "settle an old score". On November 7, 2010, Muhammed Naveed Iqbal, a judge at the district Court of Sheikhupura, sentenced her to death by hanging. Additionally, a fine equivalent to USD 1,100 was imposed. On October 31, 2018, Pakistan’s Supreme Court overturned the conviction, and Aasia Bibi was released from the New Jail for Women in Multan on November 7, 2018.
Fundamentalists and, in some cases, opportunists exploiting the law to settle personal scores, often file false cases of blasphemy. Indeed, it has been established that most such accusations have been fabricated. A study by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) released on November 4, 2015, on the implementation of the blasphemy law in Pakistan, under section 295-C, found that in 19 out of 25 cases, i.e. 76 percent, the appellate courts found that evidence and complaints had been fabricated based on “personal or political vendettas”, and convictions by lower courts were overturned on appeal.
In its annual report released on April 15, 2019, HRCP noted, "The blasphemy laws have been grossly abused with many people lodging false complaints to settle their personal vendettas." According to the report 40 people were currently on death row or serving a life sentence after being convicted on charges of blasphemy. However, the country is yet to execute anyone for blasphemy.
The decision of the Supreme Court of Pakistan to quash the conviction of a person who had spent almost 18 years in prison for blasphemy, once again highlighted how the law had been misused in the country to settle personal score. On September 25, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled that the prosecution failed to provide substantial evidence against Wajih-ul-Hassan, who had been sentenced to death in 2002 for writing allegedly blasphemous letters. Brad Adams, Asia director of Human Rights Watch observed,
The abuse of the blasphemy law is built into its very character. Under existing laws, a person making a false accusation can only face proceedings under Section 182 of the PPC, which entails a maximum punishment of six months imprisonment, or a mere PKR 1,000 fine. However, the punishment for blasphemy under Sections 295-B and 295-C of PPC ranges from several years in prison to a death sentence.
With international attention focusing on the continuous excesses of the blasphemy law in Pakistan, a Senate Special Committee on Human Rights on March 6, 2018, had recommended that perpetrators of false accusations of blasphemy be given the same punishment as set for those convicted for blasphemy. "Anyone falsely accusing someone of blasphemy should be subjected to the same punishment as a person convicted of blasphemy," the recommendation stated. The recommendation also stated that anyone looking to register a blasphemy case at a Police Station should have to bring two witnesses to support their accusation. However, committee member Senator Mufti Abdul Sattar, who belongs to the Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, opposed the recommendations, terming them "an attempt to sabotage the blasphemy law." Mainstream political parties are also unwilling to support the recommendation for fear of losing their extremist and conservative vote banks. Not surprisingly, then Prime Minister hopeful Imran Khan, during his 2018 General Election campaign supported the blasphemy law, declaring, at a gathering of Muslim leaders in Islamabad on July 21, 2018, “We are standing with Article 295c and will defend it.”
The religious right and mainstream parties in Pakistan are in complete agreement with the Islamist terrorist organisations on this count. Significantly, pamphlets of the Punjab Chapter of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) were found from the place of assassination of Shahbaz Bhatti. The pamphlets stated, "anyone who criticises the blasphemy law has no right to live".
The blasphemy law in Pakistan is a critical weapon for both Islamist extremists and mainstream majoritarian parties and politicians, every one of whom has used Sunni fundamentalism and Islamism as a tool of political control. The marginalisation and victimisation of the minorities in Pakistan can only continue within such a political backdrop, and the abuse of the blasphemy law is unlikely to diminish unless overwhelming international pressure is brought to bear on the Pakistani state to shift course to a more humane and rational politics.
Dantewada: Residual Risks Ajit Kumar Singh Research Fellow, Institute for Conflict Management
On October 8, 2019, a ‘deputy commander’ of the Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist), identified as Kawasi Deva, was killed by the Security Forces (SFs) in the Katekalyan Forest area near Pitepal village of Dantewada District in Chhattisgarh. The slain Maoist was carrying a cash reward of INR 800,000 on his head. The Deputy Inspector General (DIG, Anti-Maoist operations), P. Sundarraj disclosed that “hundreds of District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel were out on the mission, based on specific input about rebels camping in the said forest.” When they spotted the Maoists and challenged them a gun-battle broke out in which the Maoist ‘deputy commander’ was killed and a DRG trooper was injured.
On September 19, 2019, the dead body of a civilian, identified as Budhram Tati, with his throat slit, was found near Perpa village in the Kirandul Police Station limits in Dantewada District. A Maoist pamphlet found near the body read: "Whoever works as a ‘police informer’ for money will meet the same fate." The date of Tati’s abduction is not known.
On September 14, 2019, the body of a civilian identified as Mirya Manjal, was found near a private firm's plant under Kirandul Police Station limits in Dantewada District. A Maoist pamphlet found near the dead body accused Manjal of being a ‘police informer’.
According to partial data collated by the South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP), at least 21 fatalities (four civilians, five SF personnel and 12 Maoists) were recorded in Dantewada District in 13 incidents of killing since the beginning of 2019 (data till October 12, 2013). During the corresponding period of 2018, at least 23 fatalities (10 civilians, eight SF personnel and five Maoists) were recorded in 16 incidents of killing. In the remaining period of 2018, another 10 fatalities (six civilians and four Sf personnel) were registered in three incidents of killing.
Since March 6, 2000, when SATP started compiling data on Naxalism [Left Wing Extremism]-linked violence, Dantewada recorded 1,135 fatalities (338 civilians, 409 SF, personnel and 382 Left Wing Extremists) in such violence.
Dantewada
Chhattisgarh
% in Dantewada
Year
Civilians
SFs
Maoists
NS
Total
2000
0
2001
3
9
6
4
13
69.23
2002
2
5
1
8
2003
7
21
16
46
15.21
2004
10
20
28
35.71
2005
41
37
18
96
53
48
26
127
75.59
2006
155
45
73
273
184
52
117
353
77.33
2007
32
71
144
78
198
74
368
39.13
2008
23
67
68
169
13.60
2009
15
50
104
76
154
359
47.07
2010
39
38
173
150
91
322
53.72
2011
84
82
192
43.75
2012
14
30
44
106
14.15
2013
55
36
34
125
2014
11
25
64
49
138
7.97
2015
33
115
15.65
2016
19
29
35
135
206
14.07
2017
59
167
8.98
2018
12
57
132
248
13.3
2019
61
108
19.44
338
409
382
1,135
861
1,092
1,219
3,198
35.49
Ironically, Dantewada is one among 31 Districts, out of a total of 132 affected Districts spread across 14 states, where the overall SF:Maoist kill ratio is in favor of the Maoists. Not surprisingly, it is the worst affected District in terms of overall fatalities, followed by Bijapur (747 fatalities) in Chhattisgarh, and Gadchiroli (601) in Maharashtra.
More worryingly, in terms of overall civilian fatalities, the District stands at number two, with 338 such fatalities. Paschim Medinipur (West Medinipur) in West Bengal recording the maximum of 438 fatalities. Significantly, out of 438 fatalities recorded in the Paschim Medinipur District, 148 fatalities were recorded in a single incident. On May 28, 2010, suspected cadres of the CPI-Maoist triggered a blast on a railway track causing the derailment of 13 coaches of the Howrah-Kurla (Kolkata to Mumbai) Lokmanya Tilak Gyaneshwari Super Deluxe Express, between the Khemasoli and Sardiya stations near Jhargram in Paschim Medinipur District, killing 148 people.
The security situation in Dantewada has, however, improved considerably, as in the case of the Maoist threat in the rest of the country. Fatalities declined from a peak of 273 in 2006 to 33 in 2018. Incidents of killing came down from 61 in 2006 to 19 in 2018. Major incidents (each involving three or more fatalities) fell from 32 in 2006 to four in 2018. Overall violent incidents came down from 86 in 2006 to 49 in 2018. The District, which was once the epicenter of violence in Chhattisgarh (which itself has been the nucleus of Maoist violence) has become much more peaceful. Significantly, at peak, the District alone accounted for 77.33 per cent of total fatalities recorded in the entire State. The figure had reduced to 13.3 percent in 2018.
Nevertheless, several worries persist. Overall fatalities which had come down to a low of five in 2013 have increased continuously since then, on year on year basis, barring 2017. Indeed, Dantewada is one among 90 Districts in 11 States that is continues to be considered affected by Naxalism, according to a Government release of February 5, 2019, and is on the list of ‘30 worst affected districts’ released by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs on August 1, 2018.
Dantewada falls within the troubled Bastar Division of Chhattisgarh, which remains the principal challenge for the State. The District shares borders with by Bijapur, Sukma, Bastar and Narayanpur - all four Districts of Chhattisgarh that are on the list of ’30 worst affected Districts’ in the country. Indeed, highlighting the challenges due to its geographical location, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel stated, on October 10, 2019,
Dantewada is listed as one of the Aspirational Districts included in the 'Aspirational Districts Programme'. The programme focuses on five main themes – Health & Nutrition, Education, Agriculture & Water Resources, Financial Inclusion & Skill Development, and Basic Infrastructure, which have direct bearing on the quality of life and economic productivity of citizens.
The geographical location as well as the socio-economic condition of the District makes it a natural interest area for the Maoists. The literacy rate in Dantewada was 42.12 per cent according to the 2011 Census, as against 70.28 per cent in Chhattisgarh and 74.04 per cent for India as a whole. Per capita income in the District at that time was INR 2,170, against sate average of 4,559 and all India average of INR 5,331. On the entire range of social services, the District was severely disadvantaged.
While a great deal has been done to contain violence, even as the Maoists suffer reverses across the wider region that they long dominated, the absence of unified action and a sustained administrative-developmental thrust has allowed the Maoist menace to linger on. Indeed, on October 10, 2019, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel conceded that a lack of proper coordination between various Maoist-affected States remained the principal cause of continued Maoist violence. Addressing this deficit could yield the much-needed breakthrough that could bring the threat of Maoist violence to an end.
Weekly Fatalities: Major Conflicts in South Asia October 7-13, 2019
Security Force Personnel
Terrorists/Insurgents
INDIA
Jammu and Kashmir
Manipur
INDIA (Left-Wing Extremism)
Bihar
INDIA (Total)
No changes in US Forces Operations in Afghanistan, says US and NATO Forces Commander in Afghanistan General Scott Miller: The United States (US) and NATO Forces Commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller, in a statement on October 8, rejected reports of limitations in US operations in the country and said they we have no such orders and have made no such changes. Quoting senior Pentagon officials, the US weekly Newsweek reported that US personnel have been ordered to limit nearly all offensive combat operations against the Taliban and cease advising the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces as the Trump administration proposes cutting US troop strength in Afghanistan by nearly half to 6,000 as a means of finalizing “technical” details among Taliban leadership. Tolo News, October 8, 2019.
Shortage of arms forces terrorists in J&K to loot weapons, says Northern Army Commander: Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) are facing acute shortage of arms which is why they try to snatch or loot weapons from Special Police Officers (SPOs) and police stations, Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh said on October 11. “Pakistan was also trying to meet shortage of weapons with militants by adopting various methods including smuggling of arms and ammunition using various options, the drones being one of them. But the Army is fully alert and won’t allow Pakistan designs to succeed,” he said. Daily Excelsior , October 12, 2019.
Pakistan activates 20 terror camps and 20 launch pads along LoC in J&K, says report: Pakistan has activated at least 20 terror camps and another 20 launch pads along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) with increased efforts to ensure infiltration of as many terrorists as it can into J&K before the onset of winter, officials said on October 9. The terror training camps and launch pads, with at least 50 terrorists in each, were activated after these were temporarily shut down following the February 2019 Pulwama (J&K) attack and subsequent retaliatory bombing of terror camps in Balakot (Pakistan) by the Indian Air Force. Daily Excelsior, October 9, 2019.
200 to 300 terrorists are active in the State, says Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh: Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh on October 6 said 200 to 300 terrorists are active in the state and Pakistan has intensified cross-border firing to push in as many of them as possible before the onset of winter. “The number of active terrorists (in Jammu and Kashmir) is between 200 to 300… The figure usually does not remain static and goes up and down,” Singh said. Daily Excelsior , October 9, 2019.
ISI is now printing FICN at their security printing press, according to report: Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI) is now printing Fake Indian Currency Notes (FICN) at their security printing press in Malir Halt, Karachi. One of the prominent distributors of ISI is Dawood Ibrahim Kasker’s D-company, which also operates from Karachi. For the first time, the FICN seized by Delhi Special Cell proves that ‘Optical Variable Ink’ used by India in printing INR 2000 notes has also been used by the Pakistan operatives. Blitz, October 9, 2019.
NE people to get special provisions within Citizenship Amendment Bill, says Biren Singh: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh in a press conference on October 7 expressed confidence that the Government of India (GOI) will make special provisions within the Citizenship Amendment Bill (CAB) to protect the indigenous people of the North East region. CM Singh further stated that Home Minister (HM) Amit Shah would be gracing the Sangai Festival in Manipur in the month of November and urged people to have trust on the government by not calling any blockade or bandh. Northeast Today, October 8, 2019.
NEPAL
Former President Ram Baran Yadav calls for amendment to Constitution to address grievances of different communities: Former President Ram Baran Yadav inaugurating the first International Tamu Conference in Kathmandu on October 11 called for an amendment to the Constitution to address the grievances of different communities. “The constitution should be amended to ensure its broader acceptance. The mistakes in the constitution should be corrected without delay. The delay in the amendment will give rise to more dissatisfaction. There could be complexities in the implementation of the constitution if there is a further delay in its amendment,” said Yadav. The Kathmandu Post, October 12, 2019.
PAKISTAN
No peace efforts with India at cost of nation’s dignity, says CoAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa: The Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on October 8 apprised the Chinese military leadership about the peace efforts made by Pakistan with India, and said that efforts would not be made at the cost of any compromise on principles or honour and dignity of the nation. The Chinese military leadership supported the Pakistan’s stance on the lingering occupied Kashmir dispute with India, according to a press release issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The News, October 9, 2019.
SRI LANKA
EU provides Sri Lanka EUR 40 million to support STRIDE project, security and development: The European Union (EU) on October 9 provided EUR 40 million to Sri Lanka to co-finance the Strengthening Transformation, Reconciliation and Inclusive Democratic Engagement (STRIDE) project, security and development. Dr. R.H.S. Samaratunga, Secretary to the Treasury at the Ministry of Finance and Tung-Lai Margue, Ambassador of the Delegation of the EU to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, signed the financing agreement. Colombo Page, October 10, 2019.
The South Asia Intelligence Review (SAIR) is a weekly service that brings you regular data, assessments and news briefs on terrorism, insurgencies and sub-conventional warfare, on counter-terrorism responses and policies, as well as on related economic, political, and social issues, in the South Asian region.
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