Disgraceful practice

Forced conversions of Hindu and Christian girls for marriage have become a shameful reality in this country. The practice goes on with the active support of local religious leaders while the police look the other way. In the latest incident a few days ago, two underage Hindu girls were abducted from Ghotki in Sindh and taken to Rahimyar Khan in Punjab where they were converted to Islam and married to their abductors. A prominent local religious figure who presided over the conversion ceremony claimed the two sisters, aged only 14 and 16, had always wanted to embrace Islam, conveniently ignoring the important detail that even if for argument's sake his claim is to be accepted as valid - vehemently rejected by the family and some others - there was no need for them to marry Muslim men.
The police registered a case against the abductors only after some angry protesters blocked a highway. The family has since been running from pillar to post for the recovery of the two girls but to no avail. Prime Minister Imran Khan has now taken notice of the case, directing the Sindh and Punjab governments to take necessary action, and also ensure that such incidents do not take place. Indian Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj has also thought it fit to interfere in the matter. Taking to the Twitter she said she had asked the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to send her a report about the incident. Her expression of concern, though understandable, lacks propriety considering Hindu extremist groups, the RSS and VHP, closely associated with her party, have been carrying out a "Ghar Wapsi" (return home) campaign to convert poor Muslims to Hinduism, arguing that they converted to Islam under Muslim rule. The state has a responsibility to protect the rights of all citizens, irrespective of their religious affiliations, and hold to account all individuals or groups engaged in forcible conversions.
As things stand, there are adequate legal protections against such outrages. Under the Sindh Child Marriages Restrain Act, any male adult who contracts a child marriage or in any way facilitates a child marriage is liable for punishment with rigorous imprisonment which may extend to three years, but not less than two years. The province also has a law specific to the present issue. While recognizing the right to freedom of religion of all persons and the right to freedom to marry, the law holds that no person shall be deemed to have changed their religion until attaining the age of maturity, which is 18 years. And further that the decision of a minor to convert to another religion will not be recognized until they reach the age of maturity. Violations can bring imprisonment ranging from five years to life. Yet the abhorrent practice of forced conversions and marriage of underage girls has not stopped. The situation will change only when these laws are effectively implemented. In a later development, there are reports that the two abducted girls have approached the Islamabad High Court with the plea that they have not been abducted but have married and changed their religion of their own free will and volition. It is hoped the Prime Minister's intervention would ensure a thorough probe of this matter and the correct situation would surface. In the event it is established that these girls were indeed abducted and forced into marriage, the culprits would be duly punished.