Divya Kumari, a young Hindu girl, was abducted from her home on the night of September 29, marking yet another tragic case in a disturbing pattern of violence against religious minorities in Pakistan. As of now, Divya remains missing, raising grave concerns about her safety.
This incident is particularly alarming as Divya is the third Hindu girl to be kidnapped from the Kalakot police station. Despite the clear evidence of her age—Divya’s birth certificate confirms she is just 16 years old—the police have shown a shocking level of negligence. Rather than promptly registering a First Information Report (FIR) for abduction under the applicable sections of the Man Child Marriage Act of 2013, authorities have relegated their responsibilities to mere formalities, aligning themselves with the oppressive demands of the very people who perpetrate these crimes.
The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) South Sindh has publicly demanded that the Chief Minister take action to ensure Divya Kumari’s safe return and to hold the accused accountable. Yet, this plea rings hollow in a system rife with indifference and complicity, where the lives and rights of Hindus are treated as expendable.
Sindh province, home to Pakistan’s largest Hindu population, has witnessed an alarming increase in cases of forced conversions and abductions. The disturbing trend is indicative of a broader agenda aimed at the systematic Islamization of religious minorities, which has contributed to a steep decline in their population within the Islamic Republic.
The rising tide of atrocities against Hindu women and girls is not merely a consequence of social unrest; it is a deliberate act of oppression that reflects the Paki establishment’s motive to convert its minorities. The ongoing silence and tacit approval from various institutions that should uphold justice only serve to exacerbate the plight of these communities.
It is a national disgrace that while the legal-political system is supposed to safeguard its citizens, it instead stands by as these heinous acts unfold. The forced abduction and conversion of Hindu girls like Divya Kumari underscore the urgent need for accountability and reform within Pakistan’s legal, political and social frameworks. Until decisive action is taken, the precarious condition of Hindus in Pakistan will only continue to worsen, leaving them vulnerable to the brutal realities of intolerance and violence.