ISLAMABAD – The National Director of National Commission for Justice and Peace (NCJP) Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani, has expressed deep sorrow and concern over the mob attack and torching of Dharam Shala (religious sanctuary) and a temple on March 15, 2014 when the Hindu community was celebrating the festival of Holi.
In a press release issued here on Thursday, he said: “On behalf of NCJP and the Christian Community of Pakistan we condemn this act strongly”. The National Director said “The attack on worship places, damage of statues of Hindu deities and other religious articles is an act of bigotry and hatred”. He also said “We condemn this outburst of rage and emphasized that allegation of desecration of the Holy Quran must be investigated in a fair and impartial manner. Also, whatever the instigation, it does not justify torching of a place of worship or properties owned by Hindus”. He expressed his deep solidarity with the Hindu community. He demanded that the government take comprehensive measures to protect the life, worship places and property of all non Muslim citizens in Pakistan. He said that the Government should seriously take action to fight communal tensions which only increase religious and sectarian intolerance in Pakistan. Fr. Emmanuel Yousaf Mani added that the Provincial and Federal Government and relevant Administrative departments should ensure that no such incidents occur again.