KARACHI, Pakistan, May 13, 2009: As the Taliban gains a stronger foothold in Pakistan, increasingly violent assaults are being carried out against religious minorities, including Hindus and Christians. While the Taliban does not carry out all of the attacks, extremist elements inspired by the group will sometimes act in its name.
The lives of Hindus are in danger, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. Last month, extremists attacked a Hindu Holi religious festival not far from the Indian border, setting fire to a Hindu temple and destroying several shops. And last year, a young Hindu worker was killed at a factory in Karachi by fellow workers who accused him of insulting Islam. Human rights groups say attacks against Hindus have risen in the last two years, with temples and worshipers targeted especially in Sindh province, where Karachi is located.
“In Pakistan today there is a lot of feeling of fear by all the minorities,” said the Rev. Richard D’Souza of St. Jude Church in Karachi. “We feel we have no protection.”