Love jihad? Hindus in Pakistan ask 'where should we go', protest forced conversions

Human rights activists and Hindu groups in Pakistan have condemned the controversial former PPP National Assembly member, Pir Abdul Haq, for allegedly kidnapping a Hindu teenager and forcing her to embrace Islam.

The protesters held demonstrations against Haq, also known as Mian Mitthu across several cities of Pakistan on Thursday, officially deemed as the National Minorities Day.

The activists assembled at Lahore's Faisal Square, in Karachi and Islamabad to protest against Mian Mitthu. These protests have come in the wake of several reports of attacks on Hindus in Karachi over past weeks. In one case a Hindu boy was murdered and a doctor was shot on August 6.

'SYMBOL OF TERROR'

The protesters alleged that Mian Mitthu is known for abducting Hindu girls for forcible conversion. Activist Kapil Dev, who used social media to generate support for the demonstrations, said, "He's a symbol of terror. He's a symbol of forced conversions. The Hindus from that area cannot even dare to utter a single word against him. Where should we go?"

Talking to India Today, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, a Member of National Assembly of Pakistan (PML-NAWAJ ) and the President of the Pakistani Hindu Council, said, "Forced conversion, particularly of Hindu girls to Islam, is one of the biggest problems and is one of the reasons for Hindus leaving Pakistan."

WHO IS MILAN MITTHU?

Pir Abdul Haq is a well connected politician and a Muslim cleric, who belongs to an influential family in Pakistan's Sindh province. This region is home to most Hindus, who live in Pakistan. A section of Pakistani Hindu community has long alleged that Haq provides protection to those who kidnap Hindu girls, particularly those below 18 years of age. They also claim that Haq compels kidnapped Hindu girls to convert and marry their kidnappers.

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Anger over kidnappings, forced conversions of Hindu girls in Pakistan