Amidst the chaotic dilemma of the possibility of World War 3, an ill-intended group of protestors threatened the Sikh community, surrounding Gurdwara Nankana Sahib on Friday afternoon. The group intended to terrorize the community and clear the city off of its presence.
People took to highlighting the Nankana Sahib protestors spreading terror amidst the Sikh community in Pakistan on social media.
'We will not let any Sikh live in #NankanaSahib & will change its names to Ghulam-e-Mustafra', local Muslim protester.
..& then #Pakistan wants Sikh brothers to stand with them to form Khalistan.Irony just died a thousand deaths.@rsrobin1 @AdityaRajKaulpic.twitter.com/kEBIJD5RrP
— Sajeda Akhtar (@Sajeda_Akhtar) January 3, 2020
The situation at Gurdwara Janamasthan #NankanaSahib is still tense – police is trying to control the situation – number of people have surrounded Gurdwara building. pic.twitter.com/vmpMGSH8vf
— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) January 3, 2020
Imran Ali Chishti was amongst these protestors, who had earlier uploaded his videos with threatening messages for the Sikh community within Pakistan.
Video of the main instigator of the mob at Nankana Sahib – threatwninf “Sikho” (Sikhs) that he is coming and to be ready for him, and rallying people to approach the Gurdwara to join him. Asks to share this video on social media to spread it afar pic.twitter.com/AHJzAmNmaq
— ਜੋਧਸਿੰਘ (@JungNihang) January 3, 2020
The man also made speeches where he promised the crowd that being a Muslim, he’d stand up against Sikhs and change the name of the Gurdwara to Ghulam-e-Mustafa Mosque.
God is one..let’s not divide it and create hate among each other’s.. let’s be human first and respect each other’s.. Mohammad Hassan openly threatens to destroy Nankana Sahib Gurdwara and build the mosque in that place @ImranKhanPTI plz do the needful 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏 pic.twitter.com/egjRo5oml4
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) January 4, 2020
However, an apology video of this man has since then surfaced.
He stated how his words from the protest were just an emotional flow of statements and he denied having any intentions to act on them and actually hurt the Sikh community. He further apologized for his hurtful words and stated that they shared a sense of brotherhood with the Sikhs.
The imbecile who orchestrated the attack has been disciplined, here he is seeking his apologies in this videohttps://t.co/YF741hPoG5
— Hassan Haroon (@HasanHaroonGaba) January 4, 2020
People of Pakistan demanded that this man be sent behind bars for promoting violence at Nankana Sahib
Having seen similar incidents and people getting away for them, the awaam were not quick to forgive him for just offering an apology.
This is not enough he must be punished for creating law and order situation and harming country’s interest. Buggers like him shouldn’t be taken lightly and everyone who tries to enforce his agenda on the state be punished severely
— Sohail Anwer (@sohailanwer61) January 5, 2020
Not just Indians but us Pakistanis were also demanding action and still demands more action but it’s not anywhere near to what’s happening in India. Here police did their job on time, dispersed the mob and protected the gurdwara. But still unfortunate incident.
— M.ARIF BANGASH (@Aarif_00) January 3, 2020
The use of violence in any form is condemnable. At a time when minorities are extremely vulnerable, it is especially important that such incidents are avoided by educating the mainstream population about sensitivity and tolerance of minorities and their culture. This incident and that of the Ghotki mob violence just go to show that we have a long way to go as a more tolerant, diverse and safe society for minorities.
While it’s great that the man responsible for the Nankana Sahib incident has apologized, is it truly enough? Let us know in the comments.
Here’s Everything That Happened At A Gurdwara In Nankana Sahib Yesterday
Cover image via Twitter@ShadabSpeaks/Twitter@SajedaAkhtar